Rastergrafikk

Raster graphics, also known as bitmap graphics, represent images through a grid of individual pixels, each assigned specific color and brightness values. This graphical format is widely used in digital photography, web imagery, and media displays due to its ability to depict complex and detailed images with rich color gradations.

The core characteristic of raster graphics is their reliance on a fixed resolution, meaning that the image’s quality depends on the number of pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI). Higher resolutions produce greater detail and clarity, but also result in larger file sizes. Common raster graphic formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and BMP, each optimized for different applications related to transparency, compression, and color depth.

Raster images are particularly well-suited for detailed and complex images such as photographs and digital artwork. However, they have limitations when it comes to scaling; enlarging a raster image beyond its original resolution often leads to pixelation, where individual pixels become visible and degrade image quality. To address this, vector graphics are often used for designs requiring scalability.

Raster graphics are generated through digital imaging devices like scanners and digital cameras or created in software such as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP. Their manipulation involves operations such as cropping, masking, and filtering, which are performed at the pixel level. Due to their pixel-based nature, raster images are less suitable for images that require frequent resizing or modifications involving scaling.

Overall, raster graphics remain fundamental in numerous digital media contexts, balancing detailed visual representation with limitations tied to resolution and scalability.