Traditional engraving is based on vector graphics ("plots"). In contrast, digital printing is based on raster graphics (bitmaps). The most important characteristics of these two file types are presented here.

A vector graphic describes a collection of so-called "graphic primitives": In the two-dimensional case, these are essentially open or closed polygons and curves (2D splines). In the three-dimensional case, these are primarily the surfaces of different geometrical shapes (ellipsoids, cubes, etc. up to solid simulating 3D splines).

A simple example is the image of a circle. At least two pieces of information are required to save it: the coordinates of the center of the circle and the diameter of the circle. In HPGL format there must also be a reference to a specific pen (stroke width, color) or to a particular tool (shape, diameter). Other file formats allow you to include additional information with regard to filling pattern, transparency and color gradient.

Unlike raster graphics, vector graphics are scalable to any size without loss of information, as well as distorted according to specific algorithms.

The following table lists some common file formats for vector graphics and adds comments to the formats used in "Front Panel Designer".

A raster graphic (pixel graphic, bitmap) describes an image as a grid-like arrangement of picture elements (pixels), each of which is assigned a color. For the output (printing, etc.) of a raster graphic, the following specifications must be determined:

The output size of a grid-like arrangement of colored picture elements can indeed be adjusted, but the raster becomes more apparent as the output size increases. This raster can indeed be artificially refined (image processing), but details which were not initially resolved cannot under any circumstances be faithfully reconstructed. Hence the output size of each raster graphic (upwards) is limited.

The following table lists some common file formats for raster graphics and adds comments to the formats which are important for digital printing.

Vector and raster graphics both describe images in computer readable form. They differ in how they abstract the figure that is to be reproduced:

The strength of a raster graphic is that, with the appropriate resolution and color depth, every (two-dimensional) figure can in principle be faithfully reproduced. This is in turn of course linked to a corresponding file size.

The strength of the vector graphic on the other hand, is that it can present an array of graphic elements in any desired output size, whereby these elements may be assigned other characteristics (tools, filling pattern, transparency, color gradient, etc.).

Thus the strength of the one format is basically also the weakness of the other.