Web Design Tools and Computer Graphics - Vector

Most designs in the web, apart from they are Raster Graphics, is designed under a Vector Graphics. In example, if one designer wanted to use rounded corners on a panel or a division element then it is best used that a vector-‘ized’ round corner is rendered before applying the color fill or any other style. If the designer changes his mind and replaces the rounded corners to a straight one, then he should only edit the vector paths without reengineered the design. That is one example of the beauty of having vector in the designs, apart for being made as a ‘style’ of illustration.

Generally, a pen tool is the primary tool in vector design; this creates paths and edits them according to its lines, points/vertices and its tangency to make its curves. Even some Raster Image Editing Software is integrating pen tools to accompany the Raster Design but the sole purpose of Vector Editing Software is for creating vector designs and then probably exports it to a Raster Image. Predesigned templates of Vector Image Editing Software is integrated to help graphic artists accessibility and ease of use to design their idea, examples of these are predefined polygons which a designer can define how many sides they prefer and it is up to the designer that he will use them and customize for their designs with the aid of transformation tools of vector like the pen tool.

Comparison of Some Vector Editing Software

Adobe Illustrator CS4

Illustrator has been one of the top choices among the vector illustrators pick. Illustrator has long been existing and used by graphic designers. Currently, there are boxfuls of features and functionalities that aid a designer to come up a design, and with its varying feature, Illustrator have many uses from creating blueprints, 3D designs and architectural designs, prints for media and many more. Since it has been a part of the Creative Suite Family of Adobe, designs made from illustrator can be exported to other CS Software like the also renowned Photoshop. The filename extension of Illustrator ‘.ai’ had been considered by most as a standard for a vector design file.

XaraExtreme

If a designer wants agile and fast results, XaraExtreme would be his choice. Xara Extreme provides functionality for better access and provides rapid output. It boasts on total control of units and an intuitive interface that gives the designer a freedom to manage his design. XaraExtreme originates the idea of transparency, soft vectors for feathering and shadows on the vector designs which is useful nowadays on most designs commonly used for the web. XaraExtrene provides compatibility support for any other vector and raster image formats.

CorelDraw

CorelDraw works hand in hand with raster images to form new vector paths with its powerful tracing feature: PowerTrace. Thus, the feature provides fast render of lines and a designer might not need to create or illustrate paths since there is a feature that is accessible to convert bitmaps to vector, just find an actual image then let CorelDraw trace the image. The software is bundled with predesigned layouts to time-save the designer. Also the interface is intuitive that lets the designer come up illustrations faster.

Microsoft Expression Design 2

Microsoft Expression Design 2 outputs are primarily used for web. With tools designed ready for deployment like the integration of XAML (eXtensible Application Mark-up Language) that provides data mark-ups on its images. The interface has improved workflow and workspace that lets the designers have ease-of-use. Also it has flexible elements in illustrating with its powerful tools in drawing and it is also flexible in porting and reading other formats.

The choice of among these Vector Image Editing Softwares is left to the graphic designers. Well, some or most of the graphics designers encounters a Vector Editing Software and sees one thing in common: provide vector images that aid him in implementing the idea. Every Vector Editing Software has its uniqueness and functionalities that differ from any other.