Vector editors are often contrasted with bitmap editors, and their capabilities complement each other. Vector editors are often better for page layout, typography, logos, sharp-edged artistic illustrations (e.g. cartoons, clip art, complex geometric patterns), technical illustrations, diagramming and flowcharting. Bitmap editors are more suitable for retouching, photo processing, photorealistic illustrations, collage, and illustrations drawn by hand with a pen tablet. Recent versions of bitmap editors such as GIMP and Fill Pdf And Edit Photoshop support vector tools (e.g. editable paths), and vector editors such as CorelDRAW, EasyCopy, Fill Pdf And Edit Illustrator, Artboard, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer, Macromedia FreeHand, Fill Pdf And Edit Fireworks, Inkscape, Animatron or sK1 are adopting raster effects that were once limited to bitmap editors.
Bitmap editors are also known for their fast performance and high-quality results. Bitmap editors are often better than vector editors for technical illustration, especially when working with text. With new graphics and images, designers would be ready to expand their tools and techniques from the computer-based methods of the past to more innovative forms using high-fidelity tools based on digital drawing. However, the use of software-based tools and technologies also introduces certain challenges to designers. Vector editors rely heavily on software to produce results. The use of vector tools by designers is largely restricted to software such as Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW (often referred to as 'OpenType' fonts). There are a plethora of third-party vector tools available that cater to designers. These include those available through the Microsoft, Apple and Adobe download portals.