Graphics
Vector Files
A vector image is a set of geometrically defined shapes. A vector image can be scaled infinitely, both larger and smaller, with no loss of clarity, thus making it the most flexible to use. However, vector files cannot be used on the Web; they can only be used to make files to place on the Web. Vector graphic files are available on this Web site as MacIntosh and PC eps files.
Bitmap Files
In a bitmap file, each pixel is defined individually, making the file essentially a very fine grid of squares containing information about the color of each square. If a bitmap file needs to be enlarged, the computer will have to guess (or interpolate) to create new pixels between the old ones. This results in a bitmap file becoming blurry when its size is increased. That's why bitmap images for the Mac or PC should never be enlarged from the original file, although they can be reduced in size. The bitmap files located on this Web site are Mac and PC tif and gif files.
If the bitmap files located on the download pages are not large enough for your needs, you can make a new bitmap file from one of the vector files. If you need help to make the larger file, contact the Office of Marketing Communications.
