Common vector formats

.ai
.cdr
.drw
.dxf

Vector images are made up of many individual, scalable objects.

These objects are defined by mathematical equations rather than pixels, so they always render at the highest quality.

Objects may consist of lines, curves, and shapes with editable attributes such as color, fill, and outline.

Common bitmap formats

.bmp
.gif
.jpg
.tif
.psd

Bitmap images (also known as raster images) are made up of pixels in a grid.

Pixels are picture elements; tiny dots of individual color that make up what you see on your screen. All these tiny dots of color come together to form the images you see.

When selecting the artwork, if the artwork can be broken down into its individual parts which can then be edited or colored, it is vector. If it can only be selected as a whole and cannot be edited or colored, it is bitmap.

When scaling or zooming in really close, the vector artwork will retain its smooth shape,
but the bitmap will pixelate and become "boxy."