Raven

=**Raven Vector editor** =

Overview:
   ||  ||< The Raven application allows you to create vector images. Vector images are different from bitmap images in that they are based on mathematical equations as opposed to pixels. This means that vector images can be scaled up in size with zero loss in image quality. When you increase the size of pixel-based images, the greater the increase in size the more the image will be distorted.
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Link to Aviary site

Link to Raven wiki ||  ||

**Educational Benefit:**

The benefit of this application is the ability to make scalable vector images. Users have complete control over all aspects of creation; the shapes, the vector points, the colors used, and so forth. Vector images are not created with a pen or paint brush tool. Rather, the mouse is used to insert points (with a click) and lines connect the points. Another interesting option within Raven is that you can import a bitmap image and convert it to a vector image. This allows you to change a bitmap image into one that you can enlarge without distortion. While the image is not exact, it is much better than trying to draw it by hand. I have included a video that shows making a basic shape and converting a bitmap to a vector image. media type="custom" key="5265083"

Aviary's tutorial video (see below) for this application is more of a demonstration than a tutorial, but the wiki for Raven does contain some very helpful information. media type="custom" key="5265053" 
 * Drawbacks: **

This tool, like several of the others, is not simple to use. Vector images are not easy to create. Users must be patient and willing to correct and redo their lines and points until they can them "perfect". The pay-off is an image that you can increase in size as much as you want without any distortion. As with Peacock, the question needs to be asked if the time commitment is worth the result. For most cases, it is doubtful that vector images will be that helpful; although one possible benefit is vector images do not cause the problems that bitmaps do for some people with autism (some see pixelated images instead of pictures).


 * Literature review:**

Vector images, and this editor, are not reviewed in the literature.  back to top