image vs vector CPU?

[montblankdesign]

Is there any useful diffecence in cpu load from using, say a vector drawn moon vs an image moon (png).

[heyvern]

In general terms, vector is faster than image. Size of the image will make some difference, but in general with an image large enough to look as smooth and sharp as a vector you will find that a vector drawn layer compared to the same layer done with an image is faster. Images definately take longer to render.

Also images in AS are resolution dependent. You scale too far up and the image will get fuzzy and soft.

Vector layers are resolution independent. You can scale or zoom as large as you want and the details are still sharp. This is the same concept that made "Flash" such a smash hit on the internet over the years. Vectors are so much smaller mathematically, and yet look fantastic.

I don't know about "cpu" load. Image layers are not stored inside the AS file. All the images are just references to external files, very similar to how web pages work. I have not seen that much of a slow down opening a file with image layers... but I never did a thorough comparison using a stop watch or anything like that.

-vern

[slowtiger]

Ah, this is a complicated subject. In short, it all depends on the power of your graphic card.

Vector images have a small filesize, but need to be calculated for every frame. Many vectors slow down AS significantly.

Image files stay as they are as long as they're not distorted, so it's only a matter of shifting screen areas around which a graphics card is very good at.

But the real question should be: in which situation does that matter?

In creation: too much stuff in a file slows down response time which makes working very hard.

In playback: too much stuff in a vector file format like SWF could make the player software choke. Video output will always be smooth.

[montblankdesign]

Thanks for the replies. I am using both techniques and am animating long scenes. I have found that on my 24 imac (geforce7600gt ) rendering will crash if I don't break it up into smaller scenes. This is not a major problem but I was hoping to gain insight into it. I think your responses help.

[slowtiger]

The Mac render bug is a known issue. You can safely keep your long scenes and use the Batch Renderer.

[montblankdesign]

Do you mean batch render will not crash on a single project with long duration?

[slowtiger]

Correct.

[montblankdesign]

Thanks so much.