Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are not made of pixels like bitmap graphics.
Instead, they are made from a set of instructions that tell the computer what to draw.
These instructions are stored as objects with attributes.
So instead of storing lots of pixel data, a vector file might say:
“Draw a shape here, make it this size, and colour it like this”.
Objects
In vector graphics, an object is a shape. At National 5, this could be an ellipse, a rectangle, a line, or a polygon.
Ellipse
Rectangle
Line
Polygon
Each object within a graphic is separate and can be moved, resized, or edited without affecting the others. They can also be overlapped, to form more complex images.
Attributes
Every object has a list of attributes — these describe how the object should look and where it should go.
At National 5 there are only three attributes you need to be aware of:
-
X and Y coordinates (to show where the object appears on the graphic)
-
Fill colour (the inside colour of the object)
-
Line colour (the outside ‘line’ colour of the object)
Can you identify the objects and attributes of this Vector Graphic?
This rocket is made entirely from vector objects. Each part of the rocket — like the nose cone, body, fins, and window — is a separate object. Every object has its own attributes that describe how it looks and where it goes.
Can you guess which object is being used for each part of the rocket?
Can you figure out what attributes it might have?
Hover over different parts of the image to see what each one does!
