rasterizing - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

pleutim · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005

What exactly does rasterizing do? I've seen some tutorials that have you rasterize as one of the steps. And sometimes while I'm working a box will pop up and tell me that the layer or text will be rasterized and the vector mask will no longer be editable (or something like that - I can't remember

) and gives me options for Okay and Cancel.

Just wondering what it is, what it does...

fox-myers · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005

Rasterizing takes something that's still a vector object (like a custom shape in PS/PSE or text) and turns it into just regular pixel data. A vector object is something that can be resized even to a larger size and not become distorted or have the image degrade. Your program will actually redraw a vector object when you resize it. It knows that from one point to another always has a certain proportion between the horizontal and vertical distances.

If you rasterize text you CANNOT go back and change the text with the text tool. There are times when this is necessary for a particular technique, but I most often see it when I'm accidentally trying to do brush work on a text layer.

HTH! Let me know if that just muddle things or helped.

pleutim · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005

Nope, that helped! Thanks. I think you've helped me a couple times today!

fox-myers · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005

I'm glad to help. I tend to gravitate to the techie questions and the PSE questions. And during nap time I have time to hit the boards. LOL

pleutim · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by fox-myers

And during nap time I have time to hit the boards. LOL

Me too. TG he still takes two or three naps a day.

Cropnpix · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2005

Stacy,
What is the advantage to having something rasterized if it can't be changed?

Susan - thank goodness you like to answer the technie questions because that
is OUT as far as a knowledgeable area for me!

Nevermore · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2005

Some things cannot be done to vector objects but only to bitmapped (pixel) objects. Some adjustment layers, for example and creating brushes. What I do is just duplicate my vector layer and rasterise the duplicate. That way, if I change my mind I can always go back, change the vector, duplicate it again and continue on.

fox-myers · #8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2005

Nevermore hit it on the nose. The time I rasterize text the most is when I'm going for a stamped look. but I always keep the original text too in case I need to make a change.