Vector/Bitmap tools within Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop?

Question

It is required within my ICT course to talk about vector and bitmap tools I used within Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. I've created about 4 or 5 files, using Illustrator for some, and Photoshop for others. I have been told that Illustrators tools are mainly vector, and Photoshop's are usually bitmap; but how do I know? Is the shape tool in illustrator different from the one in Photoshop? If you could give me a list of the main tools in both Photoshop (cs5) and Illustrator (cs5) and wether they're bitmap or vector, it would be a huge help.
I haven't asked my teacher, because you lose marks on the overall project, as the teacher has to declare the help he's given to individual students.

Thanks again.

Answer 1

I think where the confusion is is that Photoshop calls their text and shapes "vector layers". They're not TRUE vector though. They are ALL raster-based (bitmap) tools. They just refer to them as vector because you can modify the shape or text fairly easily without the layer data getting warped, or damaged.



Illustrator tools aren't just "mainly" vector, they are ALL vector -- TRUE vector imagery -- drawn mathematically and not based on pixels.



So it's not really about the tools.. it's about the program itself. Photoshop is a raster-based software only. Illustrator is a vector-based software only. I don't think any software would have a combination of both because it would be redundant.



An easy way to tell if a tool is TRUELY a vector tool is after you use it or draw with it, zoom in .... no matter how far you zoom in to the document, the edges of the object will appear smooth -- no pixels, no stray edges, and no semi-transparent bits/pixels.



If an image is raster-based (bitmap), then you will see square pixels around it's edges and/or where two colors mix/meet.



However..... keep in mind, once you save your vector-based image in a jpg, png, gif, etc... format, the vector data gets lost because these are bitmap type of formats. That's why it's good to keep a version of the native file (.ai file), because it will retain the vector data. You can use it in the future to convert one document into ANY size and any graphic format without losing quality.

Answer 2

Bitmap Tools

Answer 3

you obviously dont understand the difference between bitmap and vector images, its not the shape



Bitmap graphics are made up of colored pixels. Pixels are very small rectangles (usually square, although in some video applications they are wider than they are tall) of varying colors that once put together give you an image. You can see from the example below that zooming in on a bitmap image reveals the pixels that make up the image when viewed at 100%.



Vector graphics on the other hand are not constructed with pixels at all (although they are displayed on your computer screen as pixels). They are actually made-up of mathematical expressions and instructions that produce lines, curves and filled shapes. Company logos are often vector graphics. They are usually made up of limited colors, although they may feature sophisticated gradients and shading to produce more sophisticated looking graphics.

Answer 4

Sort is an actual limitation between the 2 softwares. Use of type for design in photoshop is a no-no, as they don't come out as sharp as in Illustrator or InDesign. Photoshop is on the whole for use with images, Illustrator for drawing and image design. InDesign is the enterprise average now for image design work, changing ancient institution Quark program. I individually, nonetheless use photoshop greater than any of the other softwares, considering the fact that of it's colour correction facets, filters, opacities, styles and brushes. I simply to find it more versatile. I best use the other two generally for type. I'm hoping this helps.

Answer 5

The Beziere curve and its editing thingies are mainly vector. The pencil paintbrush fill tool and eraser are bitmap editing tools. Select tools are mainly bitmap but can be either.