Vector Graphics - Typical Primitive Objects

Typical Primitive Objects

Any particular vector file format supports only some kinds of primitive objects. Nearly all vector file formats support simple and fast-rendering primitive objects:

  • Lines, polylines and polygons
  • Bézier curves and bezigons
  • Circles and ellipses

Most vector file formats support

  • Text (in computer font formats such as TrueType where each letter is created from Bézier curves) or quadratics.
  • color gradient
  • Often, a bitmap image is considered as a primitive object. From the conceptual view, it behaves as a rectangle.

A few vector file formats support more complex objects as primitives:

  • Many computer-aided design applications support splines and other curves, such as:
    • Catmull-Rom splines
    • NURBS
  • iterated function systems
  • superellipses and superellipsoids
  • metaballs
  • etc.

If an image stored in one vector file format is converted to another file format that supports all the primitive objects used in that particular image, then the conversion can be lossless.

Read more about this topic:  Vector Graphics

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