Vector elements can’t be edited so precisely but can be upsized to any degree without any quality loss, which makes them perfect for logos and large marketing material. Most images are raster-based, which means they are easy to edit. For instance, you can edit raster elements down to individual pixels to edit details precisely, but these elements become pixelated if they are upsized way beyond their resolution. Vector and raster elements each have their own pros and cons. Such as, shapes created in Photoshop aren’t actual vectors.

So while you may be able to open certain “vector” files in Krita, they may not be real vectors. These distinctions are important to note because often, in raster-based editing programs, such as Photoshop or Krita, objects may act as vectors but aren't necessarily vectors. You will notice a raster element by zooming into it until you see the individual blocks. Pixels are tiny individual blocks of color with different hues and shades that work together to form an image. Raster files are the opposite and are displayed as pixels. When you zoom into a vector element, the edges are smooth and continuous in color. Vector files contain data set up in mathematical equations, meaning that each element is displayed as a shape or text because of an exact sequence of numbers.

To understand whether Krita supports your vector file, you must understand what a vector is. From Krita version 4.0 and later, the program can open, edit, and export SVG and PDF files containing vector elements.

Krita vector art