PDF Rasterization: Converting Vector Documents to High-Res JPG
Engineering Logic by PDFteq Creative Engineering
January 05, 2026
Converting a PDF to an image is technically known as Rasterization. It involves translating mathematical vector instructions (PostScript) into a fixed grid of colored pixels.
At PDFteq, we don't just "screenshot" your PDF. Our engine parses the vector tree and renders it onto a canvas matrix using Lossless Coordinate Mapping.
1. The Math: Vectors vs. Pixels
PDFs are resolution-independent. A curve in a PDF is defined by a mathematical formula (Bézier curve). However, a JPG is resolution-dependent. To maintain quality, our Sigma-Render engine calculates the target pixel density based on the formula:
For a standard A4 page ($8.27 \times 11.69$ inches) at 300 DPI, we generate a high-fidelity image of approximately $2480 \times 3508$ pixels.
2. Anti-Aliasing & Sub-pixel Rendering
When diagonal lines in a PDF are converted to square pixels, they can appear "jagged" (aliasing). Our engine applies Bicubic Resampling. This adds semi-transparent pixels to the edges of shapes, tricking the human eye into seeing smooth curves. This is critical for maintaining professional aesthetics in converted legal documents or invoices.
Technical Specification: PDFteq vs Standard Tools
| Parameter | Standard Converters | PDFteq Sigma-Render |
|---|---|---|
| Rendering Core | Basic Canvas Capture | Vector-to-Bitmap Mapping |
| DPI Output | 72 DPI (Web) | 300 DPI (Print Ready) |
| Color Space | sRGB only | CMYK / RGB Hybrid |
Ready to Rasterize?
Transform your vector documents into stunning, shareable high-res images using our secure browser-side engine.
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