Easily Convert JPG, PNG, GIF Files to PDF, SVG, EPS Vectors Quickly get your artwork ready to print, embroider, cut, and more with the world's best full-color auto-tracer! Animation showing Vector Magic convert a JPG, PNG, BMP or GIF bitmap image to an SVG, PDF, EPS, AI or DXF vector image. Download Free Vector Art, Stock Images, Free Graphic Vectors, Free Vector Clipart, High-res Vector Images, Free Symbols, Icons, Vector Silhouettes and more. The most common types of vector files are:.ai: Short for Adobe Illustrator, this file is commonly used in print media and digital graphics, such as logos.eps: Encapsulated PostScript is an older type of vector graphics file.eps files don’t support transparency in the way more modern file formats like.ai do.
Vector Files? What’s the Deal?
Countless times clients have asked in a panic, “Can you please send my logo over to our printer in a “vector’ format? I have no idea what this means!” Or, we need to request a client’s existing logo to start our design work, only to receive a rasterized file format that doesn’t allow us to use it with unlimited creativity.
This article is a guide to vector formats (a.k.a. EPS files), explaining what they are and why you should use them for your firm or company logo.
What is the definition of Vector Graphic?
According to Wikipedia: “Vector graphics files store the lines, shapes and colors that make up an image as mathematical formulae.” They are also known as EPS files.
Have you heard of Adobe Illustrator? It’s the Way to Do It.
A vector graphics program (like Adobe Illustrator) uses mathematical formulas to construct the screen image, building the best quality image possible. The mathematical formulae determine where the dots that make up the image should be placed for the best results when displaying the image.
Should You Care About Resizing your Logo? Yes, All Logos Can Be on a Billboard.
Since these formulas can produce an image scalable to any size and detail, the quality of the vector image is limited only by the resolution of the display. The file size of vector data generating the image stays the same.” For example, printing vector images on paper will usually give a sharper, higher resolution output than displaying them on a screen, but they use exactly the same vector data file.
Why Should I have my Logo in Vector Format?
So glad you asked …
- We can manipulate it better, which leads to more creative options;
- We can separate it from the background and pull apart elements;
- We can edit colors;
- We can use it on stationery designs;
- We can use it for other print materials, including brochures, direct-mail pieces, and other print materials;
- The colors can be set up to be printed consistently from any commercial printer;
- It can scale to fit a billboard and won’t lose quality; and,
- It can be created in outlines so the font never loads differently.
What if I Have a Logo but it is Not Vector?
In most cases we can trace and recreate your existing logo in vector format. Typically we can recreate a logo in 1 to 2 hours of work depending on the logo. We decided to start our rates at $199 and that covers most logos. Call us for a quote or drop us an email at fun [at] paperstreet.com.
Have More Questions?
Like we said, we get this question a lot. Check out some other blog posts that can help explain further:
Today we are going to discuss the most popular, 4 Vector Format Files and learn where and how to open them. We shall talk about the right applications to open and edit these 4 Vector format files so that you can make the most of these Vectors in your designs.
Vector formats are widely used in Graphic and Web Design and are more design friendly. Meaning, they can be resized and edited extensively to suit varied design requirements. If you open your Vector files in a Raster editing application you may not be able to get the entire benefit that Vector format files offer. So, if you need to make the most of the Vector file by editing and modifying its contents you’ll have to open it in appropriate applications. Each of the formats discussed today have specific applications that suit these formats the most and are perfect to edit and modify these Vectors. We are going to open these files in Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Inkscape which is a free vector application.
Let me list down popular 4 Vector Format Files that we shall discuss today
- EPS – Encapsulated Postscript
- AI – Adobe Illustrator
- CDR – CorelDRAW
- PDF – Portable Document Format
These 4 Vector Format Files are most popular formats and you’ll find most Vector artwork available in these formats. We shall discuss each of these formats at length and explore the right applications and techniques to open them.
How To Open EPS – Encapsulated Postscript Vector Format Files
You will find most of the Vector Files available online in this format. Renowned Stock agencies too, offer Vector files in an EPS format. EPS is a compound format which can actually hold bitmap as well as pure Vector shapes. But over the years this format has become a preferred format for Vector. It’s one of the most compatible formats that can be opened in popular Vector applications like Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW, where your Vector file can be edited too. Other Applications where you can open EPS files are Adobe Acrobat Reader and GSView. Though these applications are used to view Vector files and not edit them.
The most appropriate application to open and edit EPS files is Adobe Illustrator. Let us look at the steps to open an EPS in Illustrator.
Steps to open EPS in Adobe Illustrator
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the EPS file format and Click Open
Another way to do this – Select the EPS File > Right click > Open with > Choose Adobe Illustrator.
Though you Illustrator is the recommended format for editing EPS vectors, you may want to do this in CorelDRAW if you do not have Illustrator.
Steps to open EPS in CorelDRAW.
- Go to File Menu
- Click Import
- Select the file and Click Import
In the Import dialog choose between Import as ‘Text’ or ‘Curves’. You may choose ‘Text’ if the EPS contains text and if you would want to edit it. The imported EPS can now be ungrouped and edited as required.
Note: Importing EPS in CorelDRAW does not import as a editable Vector format. Choose from Curves or Text if you want to edit and modify the EPS graphics.
How to Open AI – Adobe Illustrator Files another Vector Format File
Adobe Illustrator is a widely used Vector Creation and editing application used by designers worldwide. Hence, its native format AI is the second most preferred Vector Format after EPS. Since AI vector format is native to Illustrator, it’s most compatible with Illustrator, which is also the recommended software to open and edit AI files. Let’s see how to open AI files in Illustrator.
Steps to open AI files in Adobe Illustrator
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the AI file and Click Open
You can also open AI files directly by double clicking on them. This way Illustrator identifies the format and opens them directly.
Unfortunately for not all AI files can be imported or opened in CorelDRAW. That said, CorelDRAW X5 opens AI files saved in up to Adobe Illustrator CS5.
Steps to open AI files in Inkscape
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the AI file and Click Open
- Click Open in the PDF import settings dialog.
Though Inkscape opens the AI file through the PDF import settings dialog, the file is still in Adobe Illustrator format within Inkscape and the graphics can be edited completely.
How to Open CDR – CorelDraw Vector Format File
CorelDraw is another Vector editing application which is popular among designers. There are many websites where you can find Vector files in a CDR format. Let’s see how to open CDR in CorelDRAW
Steps to Open CDR in CorelDRAW
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the CDR file and Click Open
You may also directly open the CDR file in CorelDRAW by double clicking it.
Steps to Open CDR in Inkscape
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the CDR file and Click Open
Note: The text should be converted to curves in CorelDRAW to open in Inkscape, as CDR opens in Inkscape with the text missing. For this reason opening CDR files in Inkscape is not recommended.
CorelDRAW files do not open in Illustrator.
Vector Artwork Svg File
How to Open PDF– Portable Document Vector Format File
Vector Artwork File Type
A PDF file too, like the EPS is a compound format which may hold Raster as well as Vector graphics within them. Though Vectors saved in a PDF format can be opened in most Vector applications, such as Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Inkscape (from the opensource). Let’s see how to open this format in these applications.
Steps to open PDF in Adobe Illustrator
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the PDF file and Click Open
- Click OK in the Open PDF dialog.
Note: Illustrator opens single pages of a multipage PDF. You may choose the page number in the Open PDF dialog.
Steps to Open PDF in CorelDRAW
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the PDF file and Click Open
If you have versions older than CorelDRAW X5 you may have trouble opening the PDF. Save the PDF in an older version so that you can use it in older versions of CorelDRAW too.
Steps to open PDF files in Inkscape
- Go to the File menu
- Click on Open
- Select the AI file and Click Open
- Click Open in the PDF Import Settings dialog.
Inkscape too does not open all pages of a Multipage PDF. You may choose the page number of your choice in the PDF Import Settings dialog.
I hope you find these solutions to opening Vector format files helpful. Please don’t hesitate to share your problems or some solutions that may be helpful for others. Do let us know if you have anything about Vectors that troubles you. We would be glad to write about it.
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