Raster vs. Vector and How to Use Smart Objects

Before we move on to the next stage, let's talk about the difference between raster images and vector images.

Raster Images

Raster images, also known as bitmap images, are made up of a grid of individual pixels (pixel-based images).

Each pixel has its own color and when combined, they form a complete image.

• Raster images are resolution-dependent, meaning their quality is determined by their resolution (the number of pixels per inch or PPI). Common resolutions include 72 PPI for web graphics and 300 PPI for print graphics;
• When you resize a raster image, especially when enlarging, it can lose quality and appear pixelated or blurry;
• Common raster file formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF. These formats are widely used in digital photography and web graphics; The problem with raster images is that they are not ideal for scaling; large file sizes and they also Lose quality when resized.

Vector Images

Vector images are made up of paths defined by mathematical equations, which include points, lines, curves, and shapes. Each path can have properties like stroke color, fill color, and thickness.

• Vector images are resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled to any size without losing quality. This makes them ideal for logos, icons, illustrations, fonts and other designs that need to be resized frequently. So, no matter how much you enlarge or shrink a vector image, it will always appear sharp and clear;
• Common vector file formats include SVG, AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS, and PDF. These formats are widely used in graphic design and printing; Vector images are best edited in Adobe Illustrator or similar vector-based software. Photoshop has limited vector editing capabilities though;
• Vectors are perfect for designs that need to be scaled to different sizes. They also have smaller file sizes compared to raster images; The problem with vectors is that they are limited in terms of effects and detail compared to raster images.

Smart Objects

To recap:

• When a regular raster layer is resized smaller and then enlarged again, it becomes pixelated and loses detail because Photoshop deletes pixels during the downsize, which can't be recovered;
• Converting the image to a smart object retains all the original image data regardless of resizing, ensuring no loss of quality. You can also edit the image within the smart object without rasterizing it by double clicking on the smart object thumbnail. It will open the image in a separate window where you can do your editing;
• Smart objects can contain other smart objects, providing flexibility for complex projects. However, they can increase the overall file size of the project.

When you add filters to smart objects, you can easily hide/show them, re-edit them, or copy and paste them on any other smart object which, again, promotes the non-destructive workflow.