Drawing > About vector graphics

 

About vector graphics

Paths connected by points are the basic elements of FreeHand objects. A path consists of at least two points, each connecting one or more line segments, either straight or curved.

FreeHand generates lines and curves, called vectors, which describe graphics according to their mathematical characteristics. Graphics constructed this way are much smaller in file size than bitmap graphics. Vector graphics are also resolution-independent—they appear crisp and smooth onscreen or when printed regardless of the monitor or printer resolution.

In contrast, bitmap images consist of a matrix of pixels whose display depends on the resolution of your monitor and printer. Bitmap images appear granulated when enlarged.

Vector image (top) and bitmap image (bottom)
 

FreeHand is a vector drawing program, but you can work with bitmap images in several ways. You can rasterize FreeHand objects, which means to convert them to a bitmap image within your document. For more information, see Converting vector graphics to bitmap images. You can also export an entire FreeHand document to a bitmap file format. For more information, see Exporting bitmap images.

You can import or copy a bitmap image into a FreeHand drawing. For example, you can import a photograph of a rose, an image that would be difficult to create using vector graphics, to enhance a drawing. For more information, see Importing artwork and Copying objects.

You can also trace a bitmap image in FreeHand. The Trace tool creates paths that follow the outlines of a bitmap image. For example, you can import a photograph of a cow, and then trace the cow's outline or just the cow's spots. For more information, see Tracing artwork.