I realize it seems like an odd question, but instead of climbing the megapixel ladder to create larger detailed pixels in raster formats, will we see SVGs as an option? Right now it seems we are limited to a small number of colors for SVGs, but I would think this is something that could (relatively easily) be overcome. By having photos as SVGs we can scale them completely at any resolution, at least that's one of my reasons for wanting it. I also think that we could take the photo at a certain resolution, say 16:9 DVD resolution (720x480) and perfectly scale it to something like HD 1920x1080 resolution and save enormous amounts of space compared to taking the image at 1920x1080 and then needing to scale it down the 720x480 and wasting the extra file space.

-Chad

MasterC wrote:I realize it seems like an odd question, but instead of climbing the megapixel ladder to create larger detailed pixels in raster formats, will we see SVGs as an option?

The quick answer is that I doubt we'll ever see vector replace bitmap for photography due to the nature of the format.

MasterC wrote:Right now it seems we are limited to a small number of colors for SVGs, but I would think this is something that could (relatively easily) be overcome.

We're not limited by the number of colours, but I think I know what you mean. SVG doesn't have an option for gradient meshes, which is helpful for creating photographic looking vectors.

MasterC wrote:I also think that we could take the photo at a certain resolution, say 16:9 DVD resolution (720x480) and perfectly scale it to something like HD 1920x1080 resolution and save enormous amounts of space compared to taking the image at 1920x1080 and then needing to scale it down the 720x480 and wasting the extra file space.

Vector only produces a file size smaller than that of bitmap for mostly simple stuff. When it comes to creating a photographic quality vector, the file can be much larger than it's bitmap version. For example, my Bite Me picture (a vector tracing of a photo) was created in Illustrator using gradient meshes and envelope distortion and the AI file is 140 MB (although it could be optimized). Coco's birthday cake is a 1.45 MB SVG which is also not that small compared to a bitmap version.

MasterC wrote:By having photos as SVGs we can scale them completely at any resolution, at least that's one of my reasons for wanting it.

That's kinda a half truth. Yes, you can scale it without pixelation, but it doesn't increase detail. If you scale a shirt big enough you not going to start to see threads. And if you start to go in further you won't see fibres. Edges remain crisp but detail that is not there will not appear, just like when you scale a bitmap.

When it comes to photos, vector is not a better format than bitmap.