There’s a lot of math that goes into figuring out what numbers a float can or cannot represent, but the easiest way to think of it is in terms of significant digits.Ī single-precision float, for example, has ~6 significant figures of accuracy. Internally, vector images use floating-point coordinate systems, trading precision for flexibility in order to represent a wide range of detail in a compact file format.įloats come in three main flavors: half-precision (16bit), single-precision (32bit), and double-precision (64bit). Where raster images can be described in terms of their resolution, with the computational demands scaling with the number of pixels, vector images can be described in terms of their complexity.Īs we said above, vector images can be thought of as the 2D equivalent to 3D models.
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If you’re just here for the gear, feel free to skip ahead if you want to know more about the underpinnings of vector graphics, this next section will give you a solid overview. This makes them flexible and scalable, but it also means that their computational demands are more comparable to 3D models than raster images.īefore we get to the hardware recommendations, we’re going to look at what makes vector graphics unique, in terms of both features and demands. Vector images are comprised of points, lines, and curves instead of pixels. The Computational Complexities of Vector Art Vector graphics are closer to 3D models than raster (pixel) images, but the hardware setup you’ll want for a vector workstation won’t be GPU-biased. This means that, while you won’t find any crazy curveballs in this guide, there are a few things you might not think of on your own. On the flip side, If you consistently work with high fidelity vector graphics for clients who care about precision, scalability, and color accuracy, or you work with and proof technical diagrams for GIS, ArchViz, or CAD projects, you’ll want to keep reading.Įfficient vector image processing relies on strong single-thread CPU performance, and it isn’t bottlenecked in the same way or by the same things that impact other pipelines. Similarly, if you’re using vector art in animation or motion graphics pipelines, check out this guide, instead of the one you’re currently reading.Īnything that involves video comes with its own set of hardware requirements, and that guide will steer you in the right direction. If you’re a design generalist, you probably don’t need to worry about building a specialized workstation for illustration you’ll get more mileage out of our generalist guide, which you can check out here. The answer to that will depend on your field and target format. But how much work do you have to do with vector art to justify building a specialized workstation for it? If you’re a graphic designer, you’ve probably worked with vector art. If you’re looking for a guide that covers the ins and outs of assembling the best workstation for your work as an illustrator, you’re in the right place. The right hardware choices can help these diverse workflows run smoothly and consistently. They’re used to create icons, printed branding, vinyl wraps, architectural plans, GIS data layer visualizations, and more. Vector images are used in a variety of production pipelines, typically in scenarios where precision and scalability are needed.
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While a workstation for Adobe Illustrator & vector graphics might sound niche to some, knowing how to build a PC that caters to your specific workflow can be incredibly helpful. Best Computer for Adobe Illustrator, Intel oriented 8-Core, ~1700$ Build.Best Computer for Adobe Illustrator, AMD oriented 12-Core, ~1800$ Build.Best Computer for Adobe Illustrator, ~700$ Build.The Computational Complexities of Vector Art.