| | | Structured graphics, also known as vector graphics, is the process of building images by defining objects, whose size and shape can be mathematically defined, and as such can be made smaller or larger without loss of quality.
TrueType fonts under Windows are a good example - the lettering is described as a set of lines and curves and filled areas, and look just as smooth at 12pt (1/6th of an inch high) or any other size.
If compared to bitmap (coloured dot based) imaging, structured images tend to not include subtle graduations of colour, but clean, crisp edges.
The number of structured graphics software products available is limited by comparison to bitmap software products. |
| Most graphics software is now available to the home user, whereas it was previously only available to studios. There are two kinds of graphics package: structured (vector graphics) and bitmap. Structured covers line drawings, often with limited numbers of colours, suitable for scaling to large sizes, while bitmap packages work with images with many colours, photographs being the obvious example. |
| One form of graphic format is AutoCAD, primarily used by engineers, architects and designers. AutoCAD symbols and drawings appear in .dwg, .dxf and .dwf formats. AutoCAD Blocks and Symbols Libraries exist that provide a collection of AutoCAD blocks, drawings and symbols. |
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