Embroidery Digitizing : Bitmap v/s vector images

Embroidery Digitizing: Bitmap V/s Vector Images

By : Absolute Digitizing

In the field of embroidery digitizing, two main formats are there in which the image can be digitized for embroidery, one is bitmap image and other is vector image. Let us have a look at the main difference between these two formats.

Raster Images - Raster Images are also known as Bitmap images and they are made up of tiny dots known as pixels.

- The clarity of the image depends on the number of pixels or dots present per inch. The unit used for this is “dots per inch” (dpi) or “pixels per inch” (ppi).

- It is difficult to modify or enlarge the raster images as they lose the image quality after such modifications.

- We can increase number of pixels or we need to increase the size of each pixel to improve the image quality. But still it doesn’t give the desired quality images even after applying these processes.

For example: If you have an image of about 2400 pixels wide and the resolution required by the printer is about 300dpi. The size of the image to be printed can be estimated by: 2400/300 = 8 inches.

Thus, the image can be enlarged up to 8 inches. So, as we increase the number of pixels in an image, it can be made larger.

Vector Images - Vector images are made using mathematical calculations by making use of lines and figures to create an image.

- While enlarging such images, we need not to care about the pixels. So these images are easy to modify or enlarge.

- A few mathematical calculations are used to generate the enlarged image without loss of quality.

Which Format is more useful in embroidery ?

Vectorized images are said to be best if you want to digitize for embroidery. Following are a few reasons why people prefer vector images : 1. Vector images are said to be best suitable for non photographic images and widely used while digitizing the logos.

2. It is also easy to edit the image.

3. Colors can be added or removed from a vectorized image.

4. It is easier to instruct an embroidery machines through the mathematical representations of a vectored image rather than the input of pixels through a raster image.

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