In the figure below, A is an illustration of a model’s edge without depending on pixels or scan lines is shown. Because the smallest unit of measurement is a pixel, the model is adapted by splitting its image into pixels. This results in an aliased, or jagged edge. To smooth this edge, each pixel is sampled at different locations to determine its color.

A. With antialiasing applied. B. Without antialiasing: the image is about to be over-sampled.