Rasterisation (or rasterization) is the task of taking an image described in a vector

graphics format (shapes) and converting it into a raster image (pixels or dots) for output
on a video display or printer, or for storage in a bitmap file format.
In normal usage, the term refers to the popular rendering algorithm for displaying three-
dimensional shapes on a computer. Rasterisation is currently the most popular techniue
for producing real-time !" computer graphics. Real-time applications need to respond
immediately to user input, and generally need to produce frame rates of at least #$ frames
per second to achieve smooth animation.
%ompared &ith other rendering techniues such as ray tracing, rasterization is extremely
fast. 'o&ever, rasterization is simply the process of computing the mapping from scene
geometry to pixels and does not prescribe a particular &ay to compute the color of those
pixels. (hading, including programmable shading, may be based on physical light
transport, or artistic intent.
Introduction
)he term *rasterisation* in general can be applied to any process by &hich vector
information can be converted into a raster format.
)he process of rasterizing !" models onto a #" plane for display on a computer screen is
often carried out by fixed function hard&are &ithin the graphics pipeline. )his is because
there is no motivation for modifying the techniues for rasterisation used at render time
and a special-purpose system allo&s for high efficiency.
In computer graphics, a raster graphics image, or bitmap, is a dot matrix data structure
representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, vie&able via a
monitor, paper, or other display medium. Raster images are stored in image files &ith
varying formats.
+ bitmap corresponds bit-for-bit &ith an image displayed on a screen, generally in the
same format used for storage in the display,s video memory, or maybe as a device-
independent bitmap. + bitmap is technically characterized by the &idth and height of the
image in pixels and by the number of bits per pixel (a color depth, &hich determines the
number of colors it can represent).
)he printing and prepress industries kno& raster graphics as connotes (from *continuous
tones*). )he opposite of cantons is *line &ork*, usually implemented as vector graphics
in digital systems.
-opular raster file format extensions include. /pg0/peg, psd, png, tiff, bmp and gif.
Pros of Raster Images

Rich "etail: 1ver &ondered &hat the term 2dpi3 stands for4 It means 2dots per
inch,3 a measurement of ho& much detailed color information a raster image
contains. (ay you5ve got a 63 x 63 suare image at !77 dpi8that5s !77 individual
suares of color that provide precise shading and detail in your photograph. )he
more dpi your image contains, the more subtle details &ill be noticeable.
-recise 1diting: +ll of those individual pixels of color information can also be
modified, one by one. (o if you5re a true perfectionist, the level of editing and
customization available in a raster image is almost limitless.

Cons of Raster Images

9lurry :hen 1nlarged: )he biggest do&nfall to raster images is that they become
pixilated (aka grainy) &hen enlarged. :hy is this4 :ell, there are a finite number
of pixels in all raster images; &hen you enlarge a photo, the computer takes its
best guess as to &hat specific colors should fill in the gaps. )his interpolation of
data causes the image to appear blurry since the computer has no &ay of kno&ing
the exact shade of colors that should be inserted.
<arge =ile (ize: Remember ho& a 63 x 63 suare at !77 dpi &ill have !77
individual points of color information for the computer to remember4 :ell let5s
say you have an 6>3 x #$3 photo8 that5s 6#?,@77 bits o5 info for a computer to
process &hich can uickly slo& do&n even the faster machine.