2011-05-03 09:46:37

Basic information about vector graphics files and how to convert vector graphic files

About vector graphics files

Vector graphics file types are typically generated by drawing or illustration programs (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW) and are composed of mathematically-defined geometric shapes-lines, paths, objects and fills. Since vectors entail both magnitude and direction, vector elements thus are comprised of line segments whose length represents magnitude and whose orientation in space represents direction.

Vector graphics usually are easily modified within the application, which created them and generally are not affected detrimentally by scaling (enlarging or reducing their size) compared to raster or bitmap image file types, where image scaling reduces picture quality. Because vector elements are mathematically-defined, scaling simply requires modification of their mathematical locations.
However, vector files don't support photographic imagery well and often can have difficulties with cross-platform exchange.

The most used vector graphics formats are: SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), AI (Adobe Illustrator Graphics), CDR (CorelDraw Vector Graphics), WMF (Windows Metafile Format) and DRW (Vector Drawing file).

You can check all Vector Graphics file formats sorted by name in our Vector graphics file type category, that you can access from the main page on the left category bar.

How to convert vector graphics images

Vector graphics files are commonly converted between various formats with the use of special applications designed to perform this task called graphics converters.
Simply check our database for the vector graphics file extension you are looking for and in the table below its description you will see a table with software, sorted by platform and actions, that is able to perform a specific action with the the the the vector graphics files, such as open, edit, convert etc..

Under the convert tab you can check for any convertors in our database that can convert vector graphics files to a different file format.

Example of vector graphics software table of recommended applications, sorted by platforms and by actions they are able to perform.

You can also click on each software to open its own web entry on our website, that often contains additional useful information about it, such as developer, website, reviews or other useful articles.

How to convert vector graphics if there is no convertor available ?

If there is no vector graphics application or graphic editor in our database under the convert tab , it either means there exists none, we have found none, or nobody did send us information about it.

However, most graphic editors can also save or export vector graphics files to different formats. You can simply try to use the File → Save As.. option in editor that is capable of opening your vector graphic file and save it to another vector graphics file format.

Information about how to open vector graphics can be found in another of our articles -  Basic info how to open vector graphics files.

Online convertors

Alternatively you can also always try to use some specialized converting web service, such as ZAMZAR, to convert your vector graphics files.

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