Editing Vector graphics (section)

{{short description|Computer graphics images defined by points, lines and curves}}
{{about|computer illustration}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}

[[File:Bitmap VS SVG.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|Example showing comparison of vector graphics and [[raster graphics]] upon [[magnification]]]]

'''Vector graphics''' are a form of [[computer graphics]] in which visual images are created directly from [[Geometric primitive|geometric shapes]] defined on a [[Cartesian coordinate system|Cartesian plane]], such as [[point (geometry)|points]], [[Line segment|lines]], [[curve]]s and [[polygon]]s. The associated mechanisms may include vector display and printing ''hardware'', vector ''data models'' and file formats, as well as the ''software'' based on these data models (especially [[Graphic art software|graphic design software]], [[computer-aided design]], and [[geographic information system]]s). Vector graphics are an alternative to [[Raster graphics|raster]] or bitmap graphics, with each having advantages and disadvantages in specific situations.<ref name="ChapmanChapman2002">{{cite book|author1=Nigel Chapman|author2=Jenny Chapman|title=Digital Multimedia|url=https://archive.org/details/digitalmultimedi00chap|url-access=limited|year=2002|orig-year=2000|publisher=Wiley|isbn=0-471-98386-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/digitalmultimedi00chap/page/n100 86]}}</ref>

While vector hardware has largely disappeared in favor of raster-based monitors and printers,<ref name="Kaufman1993">{{cite book|author=Arie Kaufman|title=Rendering, Visualization and Rasterization Hardware|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lF4irp7bBN0C&pg=PA86|year=1993|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-540-56787-5|pages=86–87}}</ref> vector data and software continue to be widely used, especially when a high degree of geometric precision is required, and when complex information can be decomposed into simple geometric primitives. Thus, it is the preferred model for domains such as [[engineering]], [[architecture]], [[surveying]], [[3D rendering]], and [[typography]], but is entirely inappropriate<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vector art files |url=https://pastorhome.weebly.com/vector-art-files.html |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=pastorhome |language=en}}</ref> for applications such as [[photography]] and [[remote sensing]], where raster is more effective and efficient. Some application domains, such as geographic information systems (GIS) and [[graphic design]], use both vector and raster graphics at times, depending on purpose.

Vector graphics are based on the mathematics of [[Analytic geometry|analytic or coordinate geometry]], and is not related to other mathematical uses of the term [[Euclidean vector|vector]]. This can lead to some confusion in disciplines in which both meanings are used.