Can Photoshop produce vector based graphics?

Question

I am researching vector based graphics and I know people use Illustrator for these, but if you are drawing in Photoshop, does it also produce vector based graphics? Would you still save it as a .psd? Then export as a SVG or EPS?

Solution 1

Yes, but you should use smart objects. It has specific usages, mostly when you are working with a mixed Raster-Vector-Font objects. Usually, when you import objects from vector creation software, they are first converted to raster. But, as Adobe says Photoshop supports Smart Objects that "preserve image’s source content with all its original characteristics".

For example when you want to create a website using Photoshop, if you design everything in Raster, then you can't easily scale things and create a responsive web site.

But, using smart objects, you can use vector objects like UI elements and icons in Photoshop. When exporting to output formats like PDF, etc., these vector elements will be exported as vector objects, along with the raster images and pictures.

Read more here about smart objects here:

Genius Ways To Use Photoshop Smart Objects

At last, for selecting appropriate software, you should know exactly what you want to achieve. I can't see this in your question.

Solution 2

Photoshop is primarily intended for bitmap graphics not vector graphics.

In general, it is far easier to produce bitmaps from vectors than vice versa. Therefore, if you need vector graphics it is best to start the creative process using a vector graphics package.

Comments

[nerdwaller]

My comment is off-topic for super user (since it's a product suggestion), but if you need a free alternative to Illustrator, you could look into the opensource Inkscape.

[Jasmine]

Thanks. I will look at it. I have Illustrator but look for good open sourced alternatives to support.

[HikeMike]

@nerdwaller Product recommendations in answers are usually no problem. More about that here.

[nerdwaller]

@DanielBeck - Thanks! I didn't see that in my quick search of Meta - great reference, again thanks!

[Jasmine]

so Illustrator if the person has it. Gimp, etc.

[Jasmine]

and isn't it that using Vector based graphics it becomes easier to deal with different screen resolutions layout wise? Where as bitmaps need to be resized for each resolution?

[Scott Chamberlain]

Small correction, the term of art is Raster Graphics, not Bitmap Graphics. Using the correct term makes it easier for people to find out more information on their own.