rastervector

Rastervector is a descriptive term used in graphics and publishing to refer to documents or data streams that incorporate both raster and vector information. It is not a formal, universally defined standard, but rather a concept used to discuss hybrid graphics, where pixel-based imagery and scalable geometric shapes coexist or are converted between representations.

In a rastervector workflow, vector elements—such as outlines for text, logos, and diagrams—are stored as mathematics or polygons, while raster elements—photographs and bitmap textures—are stored as grid data. Some file formats and systems explicitly support both types, allowing a document to render raster content at its natural resolution while preserving the ability to scale vector components without loss.

Common contexts include portable document format (PDF) and PostScript workflows, which can embed both vector drawings and raster images; GIS formats that combine raster map layers with vector features; and design pipelines that vectorize bitmap images for scalability or rasterize vector illustrations for raster-based output. Hybrid rendering also appears in web graphics and game engines that mix textures with vector-like UI overlays.

Advantages of rastervector approaches include improved scalability for vector elements and fidelity for raster imagery, along with flexible printing and display options. Challenges include increased file complexity, synchronization issues between representations, and processing costs during rendering or conversion. Related concepts include rasterization, vectorization, and hybrid formats.