PDF rasterization is the process of converting a PDF file into a 2D image, using mathematical formulas to translate objects onto a flat area. This process can be expedited through the use of graphics hardware. PDF files store information as a series of instructions and numbers, allowing them to be independent of the device used to render them. Rasterization allows for the PDF document to be made as large or small as desired without any loss of quality. Many computers rasterize PDFs on a daily basis, and mobile devices often have PDF rasterization capabilities built into their operating systems.
The process of converting the codes contained in a Portable Document Format (PDF) file into a two-dimensional (2D) image is known as PDF rasterization. The information stored in a PDF file can instruct a program or device on how to view the document, but when viewed on a screen, the results must be drawn in 2D space. Depending on the type of objects used in a PDF document, the PDF rasterization process can sometimes be expedited through the use of graphics hardware, much like how three-dimensional (3D) graphics are computed. There are a number of complex problems associated with PDF rasterization, especially if a document includes dynamic interactive elements or programming scripts that rely on external objects that cannot easily be converted into a static 2D image.
A PDF document is stored as a series of instructions and numbers that can tell a program how to draw not only text on a page, but also any required graphics, whether compressed images or vector-based line art. PDF files store information this way so they can be completely independent of the device used to render, view or print them without any loss of quality. While there are devices, such as PostScript® printers or vector-based displays, that can display a PDF document natively, the most practical systems need to convert the stored instructions into a 2D image so that they can be used by hardware such as a monitor and home printer devices.
PDF rasterization involves using mathematical formulas and some other techniques to translate objects such as Bezier curves, lines and characters onto a flat area, pixel by pixel. The PDF file saves drawing information, so a rasterization image processor (RIP) can make the PDF document as large or small as desired without any loss of quality. One case where this might not be true is for photo-style image files that are embedded or encoded in a PDF document and the number of pixels is already set and cannot be resized without interpolation which could degrade the quality.
Many computers rasterize PDFs on a daily basis. A PDF reader, such as those used in web browsers, can quickly render PDF files so they can be read, although the display speed is sometimes made possible by a reduction in quality as the program uses rendering links. Whenever a PDF document is printed, it also needs to be RIPped before being sent to the hardware. Mobile devices often have PDF rasterization capabilities built right into their operating systems to enable accurate hardware-accelerated rendering, regardless of the size of the output field.
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