What is raster, vector, metafile, PDL, VRML, and so forth?
These terms are used to classify the type of data a graphics file contains. Raster files (also called bitmapped files) contain graphics information described as pixels, such as photographic images. Vector files contain data described as mathematical equations and are typically used to store line art and CAD information. Metafiles are formats that may contain either raster or vector graphics data. Page Description Languages (PDL) are used to describe the layout of a printed page of graphics and text. Animation formats are usually collections of raster data that is displayed in a sequence. Multi-dimensional object formats store graphics data as a collection of objects (data and the code that manipulates it) that may be rendered (displayed) in a variety of perspectives. Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) is a 3D, object-oriented language used for describing “virtual worlds” networked via the Internet and hyperlinked within the World Wide Web. Multimedia file formats are capable of s
