Thread: What's the difference between vector logos and other logos.

I Want to get some software to make logos. I'm downloading Photoshop CS4 trial to tinker with, I heard the gimp is cool also.

But most people tend to like what's called vector logos what's the difference between vector and other logos. Is it just the shiny 3D image in vector or is there more.

And will the Gimp be able to make vector logos, or just photoshop?

Thanks.

Vector images are great for designing graphics, as they are a combination of lines, points and curves. These can be manipulated and filled easily to create great looking graphics.

However, once the images have been designed, they will need to be converted to raster images (pixel based jpgs, gifs, etc) so they can be used on a web site.

I personally use Adobe Illustrator CS3 to design my graphics, and photoshop to manipulate and size them for web use.

Vector images can be resized (smaller or larger) with little to no loss of quality. Others cannot - there will always be quality loss.

Originally Posted by Ckrismoney

And will the Gimp be able to make vector logos, or just photoshop?

You cannot create vector logos/graphics in Gimp or Photoshop. You have to use a vector program like Illustrator, Freehand or Corel Draw.

Most people that request vector logos are those who plan to use the logos for things not simply web related, i.e. printing, signage, etc.

Originally Posted by chaka42

You cannot create vector logos/graphics in Gimp or Photoshop. You have to use a vector program like Illustrator, Freehand or Corel Draw.

Most people that request vector logos are those who plan to use the logos for things not simply web related, i.e. printing, signage, etc.

Okay I think I get it.

To make a vector logo or graphic I need to draw it or already have an image or icon to turn into a vector graphic. Is that the idea?

Sure .. I create everything from scratch or from a sketch that I scan.

Originally Posted by chaka42

Sure .. I create everything from scratch or from a sketch that I scan.

Wow, I can sketch something and then scan it on my scanner, put in in a folder and then ad elements, Man that's cool.

I'm waiting on Photoshop CS4 to finish downloading now so, I'll need some tips maybe, unless they have an excellent tutorial.

Originally Posted by chaka42

You cannot create vector logos/graphics in Gimp or Photoshop. You have to use a vector program like Illustrator, Freehand or Corel Draw.

Most people that request vector logos are those who plan to use the logos for things not simply web related, i.e. printing, signage, etc.

I definitely agree with you on this. Most vector logo designs are for printing posters, signage, letter heads, etc.

Think of a vector image as a mathematical formula. A circle will be a circle whatever size it is, or a squiggle might translate as x³ and will be that shape whether it's on a 125px banner, or on a huge poster on the side of a building.

Raster images on the other hand become blocky and pixelated when you enlarge them.

No matter how much you re size vector based graphics, it wont lose it's quality. You can make vectors using Illustrator. When you use that for web, you have to convert and re size that and so you can use Photoshop. I'm not very familiar with Gimp, I don't even think of trying to use it, all these years of being a designer, I always use Photoshop and Illustrator combined.

Micrsoft's Expression Design is a vector drawing program too.