What we are watching outside of the making world?

Bill: House – A Japanese horror comedy on Amazon Prime

Stephen: Psych - Detective Comedy re-runs on Amazon Prime

Trevor: The Zookeeper’s Wife – A drama about the Warsaw Zoo during WWII

Who is Bill and how he became a maker?

Former design professor

Former game and film design

Currently the Co-Owner/Designer for Pinpoint Creative Studio specializing in laser signs and engravings

What is a Raster file?

What’s the basis behind it?

Check out Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Seurat (It’s the best example of a raster IRL)

8 bit, 16 bit, and 24 bit pixels

Why your images get pixelated when you zoom in?

What is a Vector file?

The basis of vector file is a simple math principle of line determined by a point and direction

Vector files are series of lines overlaid to form a picture

Why you need a Vector file to properly create 3D designs with lasers and a CNC or when ordering a branding iron?

File Types for Raster and Vector

Raster

JPG, GIF, PNG, PS, TIFF, BMP

Vector

AI, EPS, SVG, PDF, CDR

What software creates which file type?

Raster

Adobe Photoshop ™

Lightroom ™

GIMP ™ (Maker’s favorite price of FREE)

Vector

Adobe Illustrator ™

CorelDraw ™

Inkscape ™ (Maker’s favorite price of FREE)

General Tips and Suggestions

Don’t Violate Copyright or Trademark Logos (It’s just bad karma)

Always request a Vector file of your logo/ promotional materials when having a designer create things for you

Ask ahead of time when ordering stickers, a stamp, or branding iron what file type is needed by the maker

Make friends with designers (They will make your life easier)

Best applications for Raster and Vector

Die-Cut Stickers – Vector File

Branding Iron – Vector File

Laser Cutting – Vector File

Photos – Raster File

Laser Engraving - Raster or Vector File depending on the level of sophistication

Business Cards – Raster or Vector File depending on the level of sophistication