Raster graphics editor

A screenshot from the built-in Microsoft application, Paint.

A screenshot from the GIMP raster graphics editor.

A raster graphics editor is a computer program that allows users to paint and edit pictures interactively on the computer screen and save them in one of many popular “bitmap” or “raster” formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF and TIFF.

Usually an image viewer is preferred over a raster graphics editor for viewing images.

Some editors specialize in the editing of photographs such as the popular Adobe Photoshop, while others are more geared to artist-created illustrations, like the Adobe Fireworks.

Vector editors vs raster graphics editors

Vector graphics editors are often contrasted with raster graphics editors, yet their capabilities complement each other. To best understand the technical difference between Vector and Raster editors is to understand the difference between vector and raster images. Vector images are created mathematically. Each element is created and manipulated numerically; essentially using Cartesian coordinates for the placement of key points, and then a mathematical algorithm to connect the dots and define the colors.

A raster image is what's easiest to think about as digital photo. This type of image is made up of pixels, and is generally more photo-realistic. This is the standard form for digital cameras; whether it be .raw format or .jpg, the concept is the same. The image is represented pixel by pixel, dot by dot, almost like a micro jigsaw puzzle where each pixel is a puzzle piece.

Vector editors tend to better for graphic design, page layout, typography, logos, sharp-edged artistic illustrations (e.g. cartoons, clip art, complex geometric patterns), technical illustrations, diagramming and flowcharting.

Advanced Raster editors (like Photoshop) use vector methods (mathematics) for general layout and elements such as text, but are equipped to deal with raster images down to the pixel and often have special capabilities in doing so, such as brightness/contrast, and even adding "lighting" to a raster image or photograph.

Rastor editors are more suitable for retouching, photo processing, photo-realistic illustrations, collage, and hand drawn illustrations using a graphics tablet. Many contemporary illustrators use Corel Photo-Paint and Photoshop to make all kinds of illustrations. The recent versions of bitmap editors, such as GIMP and Photoshop support vector-like tools (e.g. editable paths), and vector editors such as CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator are gradually adopting tools and approaches that were once limited to bitmap editors (e.g. blurring).

Common Features

• Select a region for editing.
• Draw lines with brushes of different color, size, shape and pressure
• Fill in a region with a single color, gradient of colors, or a texture.
• Select a color using different color models (e.g. RGB, HSV), or by using a color dropper.
• Edit and convert between various color models.
• Add typed letters in different font styles.
• Remove scratches, dirt, wrinkles, and imperfections from photo images.
• Composite editing using layers.
• Apply filters for effects including sharpening and blurring.
• Convert between various image formats.

See also

• Comparison of raster graphics editors
• Vector graphics editor