Java Image Processing Tutorial

To recap, lets see the difference between vector graphics and Bitmaps. As vectors are defined through mathematical equations, its graphical file too is constructed from mathematical equations. Greatest advantage of this is that they can be refined to any level without losing clarity. Some of the Vector files prevalent in market : PDF,SVG, Adope Illustrator, PostScript etc. Bitmap is something which is purely constructed from pixels. Advantage of this is since pixels are used here, we can use these files in photoshop and edit. But obviously loses clarity. Some of the bitmap files prevalent in market : JPEG,PNG,GIF etc.

Vector graphics is normally used in context of 2D rather than 3D. In this blog, we will see how vector graphics is used in devices such as printers to print an image or a PDF. We will take the example of PS(Post Script) printer. Right now in market there are many varieties of printers are available. Example: dot-matrix printers, laser printers. In this case, we will take the example of post script PDF printers. Firstly, what is a post script printer? It is a driver needs to be installed in the printer to recognize PDF. Once the driver installed, the bit stream which application(Java here), will be rendered by printers using vector graphics and print the page. PDF is an example of vector graphics. You can scale it to whatever size and it will remain as it is. In next blog, we will see what is difference between vectors and bitmaps and types of files printers render using these complex features.