​​The Analogy: The Pen vs. The Pencil​​

• ​​Vector is like using a pen.​​ You lift the pen, move to a point, and draw a defined line or shape. The action is about creating precise outlines and paths.
• ​​Raster is like using a pencil to shade.​​ You move the pencil back and forth in a tight pattern, building up tone and texture. The action is about filling an area.

​​Vector: The World of Precision Paths​​

• ​​How the Laser Uses It:​​ In vector mode, the laser behaves like a plotter. It follows the exact paths you've created in your design file. When set to high power, it will ​​cut​​ along these paths, going completely through the material. When set to lower power, it will ​​score​​ or ​​mark​​ a thin, precise line onto the surface.
• ​​Best For:​​
  • Cutting out shapes (letters, geometric designs, intricate patterns).
  • Creating sharp, clean outlines and borders.
  • Adding fine details like text or hairline sketches.
• ​​Technical Setup:​​ In your design software (like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or Inkscape), vector lines intended for the laser must be set to a ​​hairline stroke width​​ (typically 0.001 pt or 0.1 mm). This tells the laser software, "Follow this path."
• ​​Key Characteristic:​​ Because it's based on math, a vector graphic can be scaled up or down infinitely without any loss of quality.

​​Raster: The World of Shading and Texture​​

• ​​How the Laser Uses It:​​ In raster mode, the laser mimics an inkjet printer. It scans the design line by line, from top to bottom. Instead of printing ink, it engraves. The laser head moves back and forth, turning on and off (or modulating its power) for each pixel. ​​Darker pixels​​ (black) receive full power, burning deeper into the wood. ​​Lighter pixels​​ (white) are skipped, leaving the wood untouched. Shades of gray are translated into varying power levels, creating depth and contrast.
• ​​Best For:​​
  • Engraving photographs, portraits, and detailed artwork.
  • Creating shaded areas, textures, and wood-burning-like illustrations.
  • Filling in large areas with a consistent pattern or tone.
• ​​Technical Setup:​​ For the best results, your raster image should be high-contrast and converted to ​​grayscale​​. A resolution of ​​300 DPI (dots per inch)​​ is standard for high-quality engraving.
• ​​Key Characteristic:​​ Enlarging a raster image too much will reveal the pixels, resulting in a blurry or blocky engraving. Start with a high-resolution file.

​​Side-by-Side Comparison​​

​​Putting It All Together: A Combined Workflow​​

1. A ​​raster-engraved​​ photographic background of a forest.
2. ​​Vector-engraved​​ (scored) text over the top for crisp, clear letters.
3. A ​​vector-cut​​ outline to cut the entire sign out of the wood plank.

​​Conclusion​​