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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of and process vector and raster graphics files for sign production
Level / 4 / Credits / 30
Purpose / This unit standard is for people workingin the signmaking industry.
People credited with this unit standard are able todemonstrate knowledge of graphic files and process vector and raster graphic files for sign production.
Classification / Sign Making > Sign Making - Core
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Reference
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
2File extension acronyms used:
AI – Adobe illustrator file
BMP – Bitmap
CDL – Signlab vector graphics file
CDR – Corel vector graphics file
CPT – Corel photo paint file
DXF – Drawing exchange file
EPS – Encapsulated postscript vector graphics file
FS – Flexisign file
GIF – Graphics interchange format
HPGL–HP graphics language plotter file
JPEG– Joint photographic expert group
PDF – Portable document format
PNG – Portable network graphic
PSD – Photoshop document
RAW – Camera raw image file
SVG – Scaleable vector graphics file
TIFF – Tagged image file format
3Definition
Raster file – dot matrix pixel data structure representing an image.
Workplace procedures – procedures used by the organisation carrying out the work and applicable to the tasks being carried out. Examples are – standard operating procedures, site safety procedures, equipment operating procedures, codes of practice, quality management practices and standards, procedures to comply with legislative and local body requirements
4Assessment information
All evidence requirements must be performed in accordance with workplace procedures.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of graphic filesfor sign production.
Evidence requirements
1.1Differences between vector and raster graphic types are explained in terms of advantages and disadvantages.
1.2Job criteria indicating suitability of vector graphics for sign production are identified and explained.
Rangeincludes – source file manipulation/creation, output device requirements.
1.3Job criteria indicating suitability of raster graphics for sign production are identified and explained.
Rangeincludes – source file manipulation/creation, output device requirements.
1.4Job criteria indicating suitability of combined vector and raster graphics for sign production are identified and explained.
Rangesource file manipulation/creation, output device requirements.
1.5Techniques used and software selection considerations for vector and raster graphic origination and manipulation are explained.
Rangetechniques – digital photography, scanning, vectorising, rasterising;
software examples are – adobe illustrator, acrobat photoshop, adobe acrobat, corel draw, corel photopaint, proprietary sign software such as sign lab and flexisign.
1.6File typesand graphic type are identified from their file extension acronym. File type,attributes, and limitationsare explained.
Rangegraphic type – vector, raster, combined vector/raster;
file types – AI, BMP, CDL, CDR, CPT, DXF, EPS, FS, GIF, HPGL, JPEG, JPEG2000, PDF, PNG, PSD, RAW, SVG,TIFF.
1.7The handling of text elements by graphic software, and when to convert text to paths is explained.
Outcome 2
Process vector graphic files for sign production.
Evidence requirements
2.1A new vector file is built from scratch using vector software tools.
Rangeshape tools, pen tools, grouping, combining and welding tools, node editing tools, distortion and effect tools, layers, swatches, strokes and fills, gradients and blends.
2.2The process of converting a raster file to a vector file is demonstrated.
Rangevector software tracing tools, manual digitisation methods.
Outcome 3
Process raster graphic files for sign production.
Evidence requirements
3.1Raster image resolution quality factors are explained for determining sign production image requirements.
Factorsviewing distance, file size to resolution relationship, limitations of increasing resolution, lossy compression methods, effects of high compression ratios on image quality.
3.2A photographic raster imageis edited to meet production requirements.
Rangecropping, changing resolution, manipulating contrast levels and saturation, sharpening and blurring tools.
Planned review date / 31 December 2022Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 20 April 2017 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0013
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
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CompetenzSSB Code 101571 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018