A vector file is an image that is built by mathematical formulas that establish points on a grid. Vector files are composed of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. They are different from raster files, which are composed of pixels and can become distorted if resized beyond the amount of space the pixels were meant to fill. Vector files are more versatile for certain types of tasks than raster files because they can infinitely adjust in size without losing resolution. The most common types of vector files are:

• .ai: Short for Adobe Illustrator, this file is commonly used in print media and digital graphics, such as logos.
• .eps: Encapsulated PostScript is a vector file format that is commonly used for printing purposes.
• .pdf: Portable Document Format is a universal vector file type that is useful for managing large digital documents.
• .svg: Scalable Vector Graphics is a vector file format based in XML that is useful for the web, where it can be indexed, searched, and scripted.

Vector files are used for high-quality graphics that can easily resize to different scales. They are commonly used for digital illustrations, company logos, and other graphics that require resizing. Vector files are also useful for creating graphics that need to be printed in different sizes, such as business cards, posters, and billboards.