Images are very important when developing mobile apps and websites because they make things look good and add a nice touch to how everything looks. You may have dealt with different types of image files during your studies, graduation, or work life, especially when uploading content online. However, when it comes to formats like PNG or vector, many of us aren’t quite sure what they are.
Tech terms such as vector and PNG can be confusing, but this article is here to clarify things for you. So, is PNG a vector file? No, it’s not. People often mix up PNG with vector files, but they’re not the same. PNG is actually a raster picture format, not a vector file. Keep reading this whole article to learn more about vector files and PNG files.
Introduction to A Vector file
When you’re working on your PC, whether it’s submitting a lengthy overdue assignment to your professor or sorting images from yesterday night’s awesome rave party, you’re dealing with two major types of files. These are raster and vector. They are created in such a manner that they act as the ideal file extension for particular circumstances.
Vector files are designed to provide more flexibility compared to raster formats. They use math formulas and equations to create graphics, which means you can resize them without losing quality or clarity. Unlike raster files, which store pixel data, vector files retain info about the properties and objects in a picture. Because of this design, vector files are usually smaller in size than raster ones.
However, they can be slow to render, which makes them not the best choice for most web applications. Also, they need specific software like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator for editing. Due to these limitations, vector formats aren’t suitable for storing photos or complex pictures.
However, the flexibility of vector files makes them ideal for scalable graphics apps. You can effortlessly modify shapes, colors, sizes, layouts, and other elements in a vector file. That’s why many companies keep their business cards, logos, and other brand graphics in vector formats.
What Are The Types of Vector Files?
If you’re looking for vector graphics for your upcoming projects, you’ll want to use one of the below formats. Just ensure that you have the right editor for the format you pick. Unlike raster files, vector files are usually proprietary and restricted to specific software suites or applications.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
EPS is an older vector graphics file format that is used mainly for storing printable illustrations and text documents. You can easily reopen and edit EPS files, but they aren’t appropriate for other applications. It is because they don’t support transparent backgrounds.
CDR (CorelDRAW Artwork)
CDR is the main file format used by CorelDRAW software, which is a widely used alternative to Adobe Illustrator Artwork (AI). Unlike AI files, CDR is now accepted by many different applications, making it a universal standard file format.
AI (Adobe Illustrator Artwork)
AI is Adobe Illustrator’s own special format, so it is only compatible with that software. Because of this, many individuals use it as their main file when working with Adobe’s design tools.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Initially exclusively owned by Adobe software, the PDF format is now open-source. They can save both raster and vector images. However, typically, they’re just vector files utilized for storing finalized published documents.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
SVG serves as the open-source substitute for AI, supporting scalability and animation. Consequently, it’s the primary choice for the master working format in many graphics suites.
Furthermore, it backs the XMK programming language, enhancing its utility for web applications since maximum search engines can interpret them. However, not all email applications or browsers can read SVG files.
Introduction to A PNG File
PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics. It is essentially a type of raster image file. For marketers, the key difference between PNG and JPG is that PNG usually offers better picture quality, contains a transparent background, and tends to be larger. This makes PNG great for storing logo files for websites because it can sit nicely on top of colored backgrounds.
Developers and designers often prefer PNG files due to their ability to maintain excellent quality even after compression. In app development, developers use PNG files to craft sharp, top-quality pictures that enhance the user experience. Logos, app icons, and transparent graphical elements like stickers and overlays are just a few examples of where PNG files can be used.
So, Is PNG A Vector File?
The answer is no. PNG isn’t a vector file; it is a raster file. This is because a raster file has fixed pixels, making it impossible to zoom or resize it without losing quality. On the other side, a vector file is better suited for certain tasks due to its high resolution, which means you don’t need to zoom in on the file extension.
A PNG file cannot be a vector file because of several reasons. The first reason is that a PNG file doesn’t allow you to zoom in or out of any file without ruining the pixels. Another reason is that the pixels of a PNG file would appear grainy, and the image file would be blurred when it is stretched to fill a place it was not intended to fit.
This is why experts suggest saving raster files like JPEG and PNG at dimensions that perfectly fit the intended use, minimizing any potential issues with the file.
Conclusion
We hope you found this blog helpful in answering the question, “Is PNG a vector file?” Now, the next time your tech-savvy friends request that you send them a raster file, you’ll know which format to choose.
Finally, the most simple method to remember the key difference between these two file types is by comparing the most common formats yourself. Typically, the most common file formats are PDF (vector) and JPEG (raster). Keeping these things in mind will make it easier for you to understand the distinctions between a PNG file and a vector file.
