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Subject:Re: Do I want it? From:Jeffrey Osier-Mixon <jefro -at- jefro -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Mon, 09 May 2005 14:09:37 -0700
Traditional usage did imply that a bitmap was a one-bit image mapped
onto a grid. However, current usage definitely takes into account
multiple bits per pixel. They map numerical information (bits) onto a
grid (map), with each number describing one picture element (pixel).
The descriptive number is now a hexadecimal value rather than a simple 1
or 0, but the logic is identical.
I also avoid the term "raster", which although often used as an
adjective is actually a noun referring to a video screen's display
area. We often refer to this as "screen resolution"---the latter term
is far more descriptive.
I guess realistically a "raster image" would refer to an image designed
for display on a video screen. In reality, the common usage in the
circles I frequent matches your experience---the terms "raster" and
"bitmap" are very, very often used interchangeably with regard to
describing the structure of a digital image file, with the opposite term
being "vector". I doubt anyone with any experience would be confused by
this usage.
I've been studying computer graphics since 1980, and I have always used
"raster" and "bitmap" interchangeably. You are the first person who
pointed this out. Besides Adobe, does anyone else use this distinction?
If anyone has a reference, please e-mail me.
Raster was the original term used. I think that bitmap is a lot more
descriptive, and doesn't carry the CRT "baggage" of raster.
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