Editor vector images. Graphic editor is what? Raster and vector graphic editors and their tools. Three-dimensional vector graphics

For a long time, creating / editing tools have been hard to reach for webmasters, bloggers and content marketers. First, the special cost was often expensive, and secondly, it was too complicated for ordinary users (not designers). Now the situation is better - you can find different in free access, not strongly inferior to the original. About one of them today we will talk about - this is a program Vectr. .

Use this free vector editor on the usual PC or in the browser to create a vector and other graphics. This is a true cross-platform and easy-to-work software: applications are available for Mac, Windows, Linux or Chromebook; By registering online, after a few minutes, you will begin to implement your designer ideas.

Vectr is a convenient tool and is widely used when annotating, editing images, as well as drawing mocapas and diagrams. In addition, it can be applied to:

• logos;
• watermarks;
• and websites layouts;
• social network banners;
• icons;
• ... and almost any other types of 2D pictures.

The program allows you to create scalable vector drawings using simple understandable functions. It is not difficult in learning, it is perfect for those who are just starting to get acquainted with the vector and to whom there are enough basic possibilities for working with illustrations. In essence, she resembles a slightly trimmed and simplified version of Adobe Illustrator.

How Vectr works (chips and functions)

When you begin to delve into the specifics of this software, the first one to come across is a whole set of interactive learning guides. With the help of the VECTR benefits, you will learn how to create and edit contours, rotate and scale objects, use tools in the workspace and manage layers. They are in the "User Guide" and "Tutorials" sections. There are many video out on their YouTube Channel.

For the start, simply download or drag the image in Vectr. It is allowed to import files in EPS, AI, SVG, PNG or JPEG format - this greatly facilitates the transition process from other (paid) alternatives, for example, such as Illustrator.

The interface is carefully thought out and conveniently organized, so newcomers will not have difficulties due to unnecessary functions. The tabs of the pages and layers in the upper left corner give you the ability to manage the project creation process. The filter panel is located on the right side of the interface. You can make your illustrations even more interesting, for example, by changing the angle of inclination by adding the shadows, the boundaries or the effect of blur.

At the end of the design, the program allows you to export your developments in PNG, JPEG or SVG. A small note: SVG is the only scalable vector format that can be opened in other applications, while raster PNG and JPEG are more for the Internet.

Very cool that many useful information and practical advice are devoted to beginners in the training section. The developer team of the free vector editor Vectr provides step-by-step instructions for solving the most popular design tasks: creating icons, logo, typography, menus, collages, infographics and many other things. All texts are looking for in the "Tutorials" section. We advise you to start with the article where the 10 first steps in Vectr are described.

Benefits of Vectr.

As conclusions, all positive chips that he possessed:

• It looks like, has a set of all the necessary familiar tools for creating a beautiful design or editing of available graphics.
• There is a grid and a set of alignment lines for greater convenience.
• Import / export supports different formats: AI, EPS, PNG / JPEG and SVG.
• Crossplate: There are versions under Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook + online.
• There is a shipment of a unique URL to view the project with colleagues / customers.
• The history of changes allows you to quickly return past events.
• Soft is completely free.
• Synchronization is available - in the desktop PC version in offline mode is allowed to 100 fixes, which are automatically synchronized with your online account.
• The software product is easy to explore, and therefore ideal for beginners. Although, in principle, the pro also find useful chips in it.

All this makes Vectr one of the best free vector editors containing the necessary minimum for comfortable and efficient operation. Having pleased the presence of a variety of useful guidelines for the program, with which even novice users will be able to understand. If you wish, you can go through the free online course of Vectr (somewhere about 45mines video). Download software on a computer or try it online, the best way to learn is to practice.

Have you come across Vectr before? What other do you know on the topic and advise?

Raster graphic editors are intended for image processing, in connection with which there are about the same set of tools, editing, effects, filters. Vector graphics editors are designed to create images. These are text editors, spreadsheets, publishing packages, scientific graphics, computer animation, three-dimensional graphics, CAD, graphic design, etc. In this review, we will focus on the last two types of vector editors.

The leader in the group of programs engaged in graphic design is the package Corel Draw.. It provides the largest set of operations to work with vector elements and imported raster objects. Created vector objects can be converted to raster graphics files. The package includes a number of applications:

CorelDRAW - vector image editor;

Corel Photo Paint - editor of raster images;

Corel R.A.V.E. - vector animation of objects;

Corel Capture - image capture grabber;

Corel Trace - Raster Image Conversion Utility in Vector (Vectorizer).

The Corel Draw package is equipped with intelligent new generation tools that allow users to solve designer tasks much faster. The latest version of Corel Draw Graphics Suite saves designers, giving them tools that reduce the number of steps required to perform tasks.

Corel Draw has file extension.cdr. The main advantages of the package are associated with the advantages of vector graphics. But there are our own advantages. There are versions of Corel Draw for major Windows, Mac, Unix platforms. He has good compatibility with other graphics packages, there is a support of several formats - Al, PSD, EPS, PDF. The creation of web pages is supported using the conversion wizard to HTML format.

Cons Corel Draw are also associated with vector graphics. In addition, the editor is somewhat overloaded with buttons and options.

Adobe Illustrator CS V11.0. A new version of the vector graphics editor with enhanced support for creating 3D images representing completely new features, including support for 3D Effects, which significantly simplifies work with 3D objects, Scribble Effect and a very new "neck pencil" effect. Support for various fonts, support for PDF 1.5 format and integration "Acrobat 6.0". In addition, Illustrator CS includes a large number of new built-in effects. Powerful graphic processing tools has gained popularity through a wide range of tools that allow Mac and Windows XP users to create high quality Web graphics.

Special toolkit allows you to carry out various manipulations with drawings and texts, create additional effects, and the extended features for working with layers of images provide the highest quality indicators created by this editor of objects.
Macromedia Freehand MX V11.0.Powerful graphic package for vector graphics, longtime, although the less well-known competitor Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. Closely integrated with other products from Macromedia (for example, Macromedia Flash). He has the support of many popular formats. Let us like both publishers and Web designers. Allows you to save results in Flash format (SWT) and others.

Macromedia Fireworks 2004 MX.The best tool for creating interactive Web graphics. The Macromedia Fireworks MX package contains a complete set of tools needed for professional creation of graphic elements. You can quickly create original compositions and interactive elements, from simple graphic buttons to complex effects and pop-up menu. Ready images can be saved in any graphic format or export to Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver.

Xara X. (read "Zara") - vector graphics editor designed for creating artistic illustrations (currently this is a Corel product that is not included in the standard package). Compact editor with sufficient set of funds. Allows you to work with raster images. For this indicator, none of the editors who can work with vector and raster forms will not be compared with XARA X on simplicity, flexibility and speed. The program has a huge internal resolution - 72000 DPI - less micron, which allows it to be used, for example, in cartography (with an increase in up to 25,000%, the image remains smooth). The disadvantages of XARA X are weak text handling, color distortion when switching to the CMYK model.

Graphics editor Autocad (AutoCAD.It is one of the most common programs abroad and in Russia widely used in various systems of automated design - in mechanical engineering, instrument making, construction, in radio engineering, etc.

It allows you to create flat and spatial geometric models, almost any complexity. Automate design activities based on the creation of three-dimensional geometric representations of the projected products.

The Modern AutoCAD 2007 package allows you to work simultaneously with several drawings, has powerful tools for visualizing the three-dimensional objects created and the advanced features of the system adaptation to the user requirements, ensures the connection of graphic objects with external databases, allows you to view and copy the drawing components without opening its file, edit external links And blocks that are in external files, and much more. In this version, it was possible to create three-dimensional parametric models.

Autodesk Inventor. It remains the best-selling system of three-dimensional engineering design. The leading positions of this software package are due to the combination of three-dimensional design capabilities with unique two-dimensional design, support, and 2D data migration technology in 3D.

The Autodesk Inventor graphics editor is a means of constructing parametric 3D models of solid bodies based on elements. The leading positions of this software package are due to the combination of three-dimensional design capabilities with unique two-dimensional design, support, and 2D data migration technology in 3D. Parametric Modeling allows you to control the form and dimensions of the object being created by specifying its size - design controlled by sizes.

The main purpose of Autodesk Inventor 11 is to provide users with the toolkit that maximize their requirements, create conditions for high-performance work, guarantee the possibility of creating complex forms, ensure compliance with the real market needs in the 2D / 3D design.

Such a modeling approach is used in a number of graphic editors, such as Solid Works, Compass other.

The most popular today by the editor of three-dimensional graphics is 3ds MaxAlready mentioned by Autodesk. This graphic editor can create excellent photo-realistic objects, as well as animate images. Similar architecture characterized by graphic package Maya..

A fairly simple editor of three-dimensional graphics has good opportunities. Rhinoceros.. An important advantage of the package is its compactness and accessibility. In addition, RhinoCeros allows you to export and import and import and imported, virtually all known vector files. Thus, it can be a peculiar buffer between various graphic editors that cannot directly export imports.

Questions for self-test.

1. What is vector graphics?

2. Name the basic tools of vector graphics.

3. What is the Bezier curve?

4. Name the main advantages of the Bezier curve.

5. What does the term primitive mean?

6. What types of nodes exist in vector graphics?

7. What is the contour?

8. Name the main advantages and disadvantages of vector graphics.

9. List the main graphic vector graphics editors.

3. The concept of three-dimensional graphics. Editors used to create three-dimensional images

4.The color space, basic color models (RGB, CMYK)

5. The concept of graphic format. Main graphic formats (GIF, JPEG, PNG), their distinctive features, advantages and disadvantages

Literature

1. Determination of vector and raster graphics, main differences, advantages and disadvantages

Vector graphics

Describes images using direct and curved lines called vectors, as well as parameters describing colors and location. For example, the wood sheet image is described by points through which the line passes, thereby creating a sheet loop. The color of the sheet is set by the color of the circuit and the area inside this circuit. When editing vector graphics elements, direct and curved lines describing the form of these elements change. You can transfer items, change their size, form and color, but this will not affect the quality of their visual representation. Vector graphics do not depend on permission, i.e. It can be shown in a variety of output devices with different resolution without loss of quality. The vector representation is to describe the image elements with mathematical curves indicating their colors and fill in. Another advantage is high-quality scaling to any side. An increase or decrease in objects is made by increasing or decreasing the corresponding coefficients in mathematical formulas. Unfortunately, the vector format becomes unprofitable when transmitting images with a large number of shades or small parts (for example, photographs). After all, each smallest glare in this case will be the most complicated mathematical formula or a set of graphic primitives, each of which is the formula. The most popular vector editors are Corel Draw, Corel Xara and Adobe Illustration.

Raster graphics

If the vector graphics of the image element is the line, then in the raster graph - the points called the pixels located on the grid. Raster graphics depends on the permission, since the information describing the image is attached to the grid of a certain size. When editing raster graphics, the quality of its presentation may change. In particular, the change in the size of the raster graphics can lead to "grinding" edges of the image, since pixels will be redistributed on the grid. The output of raster graphics on devices with a lower resolution than the resolution of the image itself will reduce its quality. The basis of the raster presentation of graphics is a pixel (point) indicating its color. When describing, for example, a red ellipse on a white background, you have to specify the color of each point of both the ellipse and the background. The image is presented in the form of a large number of points - than them are more, the visually high quality image and more file size. Those. The same picture can be represented with the best or worse quality in accordance with the number of points per unit length - resolution (usually, dots per inch - DPI or pixels per inch - PPI). In addition, the quality is also characterized by the number of colors and shades that each image point can take. The more shades are characterized by image, the greater the number of discharges is required for their description. Red can be color number 001, and maybe - 00000001. Thus, the better the image, the greater the file size. A raster representation is usually used for photographic images with a large number of parts or shades. Unfortunately, the scaling of such pictures in any direction usually worsens the quality. With a decrease in the number of points, small parts are lost and the inscriptions are deformed (though it may not be as noticeable when the visual sizes of the picture itself are reduced - i.e. saving permission). Adding pixels leads to a deterioration of sharpness and brightness of the image, because New points have to give shades, medium between two and more bordering colors. Formats are common .tif, .gif, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .pcx, etc. The most popular raster image creation software is: Painter Fractal Design, Freehand Macromedia, Fauve Matisse, Pixelpaint Pro company Pixel Resources and Photoshop ADOBE company.

Thus, the choice of raster or vector format depends on the purposes and tasks of working with the image. If you need photographic accuracy of color reproduction, then preferably raster format. Logos, diagrams, design elements are more convenient to present in vector. It is clear that in the raster and in the vector view of the graph (as well as the text) are displayed on the monitor screen or a printed device in the form of a set of points. On the Internet, the graph appears in one of the raster formats understood by browsers without installing additional modules - GIF, JPG, PNG.

Due to the described features of the image presentation, for each type you have to use a separate graphic editor - raster or vector. Of course, they have common features - the ability to open and save files in various formats, the use of tools with the same names (pencil, pen, etc.) or functions (selection, move, scaling, etc.), choose the desired color or shade.

The development trend of graphic programs is to conquer those areas to work with which they were originally not intended. Thus, raster and vector editors seek to get together with each other in the breadth of coverage and capacity of their funds. For example, Adobe Photoshop is now not a purely raster editor, and CorelDRAW has fairly developed means of working with raster graphics.

2. Graphic editors used to create vector and raster images

Editors raster graphics

Microsoft Paint - Simple (or better to say - the simplest) editor included in the standard delivery of Microsoft operating systems. It has a set of simple functions (brushes, pencil, gum, etc.) that allow you to create uncomplicated pictures. Unfortunately, it is practically not suitable for graphics processing. The picture you see on the right is more to which this editor is capable of.

Adobe Photoshop. - Today it is the most powerful package for professional raster graphics. This is a whole complex that has numerous modification capabilities of a raster pattern having a huge set of different filters and effects, and it is possible to connect independent manufacturers tools.

The package offers, for example, tools to restore damaged images, retouching photos, or creating the most fantastic collages, which can only afford our imagination. In general, the potential of this package is huge. Starting from version 5.5 in the package enabled Adobe ImageReady, providing huge challenges for processing graphics under Web (image optimization, creating animated gif, "cutting" pictures for smaller, etc.). The motto of the developers of Adobe Photoshop - "Camera of Your Mind" - suggests not only technical perfection, but also the complete freedom of creativity on which a person working with this program is simply doomed.

Photopaint - another equally well-known graphic editor (from the Corel Draw package) for processing raster graphics competing with Adobe Photoshop. There are also all the necessary tools for processing graphics, a variety of filters, textures. The difference is only in the convenience of work, interface and filtering speeds - the imposition occurs a little slower.

Painter. - the editor provides excellent opportunities for emulating real drawing tools: graphite, chalk, oil, etc. Also allows you to imitate the texture of the surface of the materials, painting, create an animation. It is very convenient for the development of background drawings or web pages in the style of painting. Taking this program you feel like a real artist.

There are still a number of editors (Microsoft Photo Editor, Microsoft Photo Draw), which also allow you to implement the simplest tasks, but not satisfying the needs of professionals.

Editors vector graphic

Adobe Illustrator - The package allows you to create, process and edit vector graphics. By its capacity, it is equivalent to the Adobe Photoshop editor: has a similar interface, allows you to connect various filters and effects, understands many graphic formats, even such as. CDR (Corel Draw) I.SWF (Flash).

CorelDraw. - of course, such a well-known graphic package could not do without means for processing vector graphics. The package in its capacity is practically not inferior to the Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator graphic editors. In addition to processing vector graphics, in this package there is a raster graphics handler (Photo Paint), an image tracer, editor of fonts, training textures and the creation of barcodes, as well as huge collections with images (CorelGallery). Adobe Streamline - Another product of Adobe, designed to trace (translation) raster graphics in the vector. This is a small but very useful and powerful product. Especially useful if you create web pages using vector graphics, such as Flash technology.

The concept of three-dimensional graphics. Editors used to create three-dimensional images

Three-dimensional graphics (3D, 3 Dimensions, measurements) -computer graphics section covering algorithms and software for operating objects in three-dimensional space, as well as the result of such programs. Most of all is used to create images in architectural visualization, cinema, television, computer games, printed products, as well as in science.

For creating drawings and image processing on a personal computer, you can use vector and raster graphics editors. These programs are characterized by the method of presenting graphic information and format support.

Raster editors

The editors in which the pixel (point) image representation is used are called raster (or bit). Basically such graphical editors are used to process scanned images and photos. In essence, similar images are a grid consisting of pixels (rectangular color points) on monitors and screens. The main characteristics of this image include:

- size in pixels;
- color depth;
- Color model (XYZ, RGB, CMYK, YCBCR, etc.);
- permission (number of points per unit length or square).

As an example of a raster editor, you can bring the standard program from Microsoft - Paint. By the way, the PhotoShop graphic package also refers to the raster editors.

Vector editors

To create sufficiently complex images with clear and accurate boundaries, vector graphic editors are commonly used. One of the main instruments of graphic editors of this type are the Beziers curves. With their help, you can draw curves in separate segments with the possibility of accurate placement of reference (nodal) points.

This method of application makes it possible to control the shape of any segment. In fact, the Bezier curve looks like the result of the translational detail of the shape of a complex multifaceted figure, built by a sequential connection of the control points that determine its form. The beam curve as a magnet is attracted to intermediate points without passing through them.

Today, this tool is widely used to create smooth lines in computer graphics. The benefits of the Bezier curves include the simplicity of their task and the possibility of manipulation. In the set of tools available in each vector graphic editor, there are necessarily "pencil", "text", "fill" and a set of basic geometric shapes. Basic figures or primitives are used in most graphic structures. Using the "Pulley" tool, you can stain with limited areas of the regions in the specified color.

The text created using the tool of the same name is automatically converted into curves that ensure the independence of the created image from the fonts present on the computer. Using the "Pencil" tool, you can manually form lines consisting of a large number of nodal points. Then these points can be removed using a special function to simplify the curve.

Advantages and disadvantages of vector graphics

In the images created with the help of vector graphic editors, there are a number of indisputable advantages, compared with raster images.

The advantages of raster images are as follows:

- with a decrease or increase in the boundaries of vector patterns, the clarity of the contours and boundaries remains unchanged;
- vector images have a smaller file size with other things being equal;
- You can transformation and scaling vector images without loss of quality. This is due to the fact that when constructing vector images, mathematical descriptions of lines and objects are used;
- to display vector images requires a smaller amount of memory than to view similar raster pictures;
- With any vector editor, you can adjust the individual components of the drawings, while not affecting other elements.
A raster image in some cases can be converted to vector.

Now let's talk about the shortcomings of vector images. The most important drawback is associated with the direct component of the vector drawing. Vector graphic editor copes well with the creation of realistic and picturesque paintings. In addition, not every object can be depicted in the vector representation. An original image requires a huge number of complex objects, which negatively affects the display time and the amount of the image taken by the image.

Advantages and disadvantages of raster images

The main advantage of raster image editors can be called the ability to create realistic images. Thanks to the use of the matrix principle of building a picture, you can give each individual pixel any of the few million shades. The disadvantages of raster images include the impossibility of scaling and transformation without losing the quality of the picture. In addition, raster images have a fairly large weight.

Comparison of various vector graphic editors

Many professional artists and designers today complain about the insufficient number of programs for the realization of their creative ideas and ideas. This also applies to vector graphic editors. The main criteria that users are guided by selecting graphic editors are accessibility and functionality.

Special popularity among free editors have gained programs such as Inkscape, Skencil, Dia, Sodipodi, Xara Xtreme, OpenOffice.org Draw, Expression Design, Alchemy and Pivot Stickfigure Animator. The SK1 vector editor only works with the Linux operating system. To work with the Windows operating system, Pivot Stickfigure Animator and Expression Design editors are calculated. The remaining programs are cross-platform.

Of course, the most "cool" and popular programs are distributed for a fee. This list includes graphic editors such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Flash, CorellDRAW, Xara Designer Pro and others.

Selection of graphic editor

The choice of a suitable graphic editor is not a simple question for any user. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. A vector editor of CoralDraw achieved extremely popular among users worldwide. This program for processing and creating images I use both simple users and professionals. The full name of this graphic package sounds like CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

In addition to the CorelDRAW program itself, the graphic editor also includes Corel Photo-Paint, CorelTrace (program for converting images from raster form in vector), Corel R.A.V.V. (program for creating animations) and Corel CupTure (program to transfer pictures from the screen immediately to the clipboard or separate file). With its popularity, the CorelDRAW graphic editor is obliged to an extraordinary set of functions.

In addition, the program has a huge library of finished images. CorelDRAW is also equipped with a built-in learning system and a variety of recommendations and prompts. In this graphic editorial board there are a lot of additional funds whose analogues you will not find in any other graphic editor.

Want to create high-quality images of huge sizes? Take advantage of vector graphics and leave the blurring pictures in the past while increasing.

Unlike raster graphics, where the drawings are created from pixels, the vector displays the patterns using points and lines. The images created in vector graphics can yield to raster in detail, but retain their quality at any increase. Thanks to this wonderful property, the vector gained popularity in architecture, design, widescreen advertising and other industries where high accuracy is required.

If you need an image of a universal size, which can be placed both on the A4 sheet and on the advertising shield, then the vector graphics will become an excellent solution. Decide with the object of creativity, and we will help you choose the perfect tool.

Tools for creating vector graphics

Today there are many tools for creating vector images. Each one of them is unique and suitable for a certain level of skills.

To help you make the right choice, we have collected the best editors in one archive, where a detailed description, screenshots and video tutorials have been added to each material. Here you can familiarize yourself with user reviews, compare ratings and download the appropriate program for creating vector graphics via torrent or file sharing services (Mega or Yandex.Disk).