As the aging PostScript Level 2 RIPs are retired, the new Level 3 RIPs can take advantage of the capabilities that PDF brings to the table. The second development is more long term. It revolves around the merging of vector and raster technology into one unified design application. The major difference between vector and raster is that vector art is infinitely scalable. This means we can reduce or enlarge as much as we like because all of the design elements are really mathematical formulas.
Vector art represents resolution-independent graphics.
Raster images, on the other hand, are based on the resolution of the pixel elements that make up the design. As we enlarge an image, the resolution decreases, and if we want to reduce the image, we must decide if we want to discard the unused digital information. Once we discard it, however, it can never be recovered. Fortunately, as computers get faster and faster, we are on the verge of discarding raster technology altogether and replacing it with fractal technology. This technology involves converting information to formulas, similar to vectors.