What happens when you rasterize a vector shape layer?

What happens when you rasterize a vector shape layer?

• A. Rasterizing a vector shape converts it to pixels and removes vector editability.
• B. Rasterizing preserves the vector paths for editing.
• C. Rasterizing creates a new vector object that scales with resolution.
• D. Rasterizing duplicates the layer.

Answer: (A)

Rasterization turns a vector shape, which is defined by mathematical paths, into a bitmap made of pixels at the layer’s current resolution. Once this happens, the layer is no longer editable as a vector—you can’t adjust anchor points or curves, and scaling may cause pixelation because you’re now working with discrete pixels instead of smooth math. You can still paint, apply bitmap filters, and edit pixels, but the precise vector properties are lost. If you want to keep the ability to edit later, you’d keep the vector shape or use a Smart Object to preserve editability while still applying effects. The other options describe behaviors that don’t happen: you don’t retain vector paths, create a new scalable vector, or duplicate the layer simply by rasterizing.

Rasterization turns a vector shape, which is defined by mathematical paths, into a bitmap made of pixels at the layer’s current resolution. Once this happens, the layer is no longer editable as a vector—you can’t adjust anchor points or curves, and scaling may cause pixelation because you’re now working with discrete pixels instead of smooth math. You can still paint, apply bitmap filters, and edit pixels, but the precise vector properties are lost. If you want to keep the ability to edit later, you’d keep the vector shape or use a Smart Object to preserve editability while still applying effects. The other options describe behaviors that don’t happen: you don’t retain vector paths, create a new scalable vector, or duplicate the layer simply by rasterizing.