What setting controls the overall sharpness of raster images in Illustrator?

The setting that controls the overall sharpness of raster images in Illustrator is the Raster Resolution. This parameter determines the level of detail and clarity of images when they are displayed or printed. Higher raster resolutions generally result in sharper and more detailed images because they contain more pixels per inch (PPI), while lower resolutions may lead to images appearing pixelated or blurred.

Raster Resolution is particularly important when working with bitmap images or integrating raster graphics into vector drawings. Adjusting this setting allows designers to optimize the quality of images based on the desired output, whether for screen display or for high-quality printing.

In contrast, Image quality level typically refers to the quality of the image as a whole, but it is not specifically a setting in Illustrator that directly controls sharpness. Tracking adjustment relates to the spacing between characters in text, which has no impact on image sharpness. Lastly, text rendering method applies to how type is displayed and anti-aliased, affecting the look of text but not raster image sharpness. Thus, Raster Resolution is the most relevant setting for managing the clarity and detail of raster images in your designs.