Rit's Vector Trace Thread (With Requests?)

[Ritalin]

Knowing my luck, after I make this, I'll slow down in making vectors. But I've been making so much lately it's time I start another art thread after... a year almost.

Most of my other vectors can be found here, with the exception of random ones: http://caffeinated-dreams.net/tag/artsy/vector/

http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-haruko-th.png
1600x1200 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-haruko1600.png)|1280x1024 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-haruko1280x1024.png)|1280x960 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-haruko1280x960.png)|1024x768 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-haruko1024.png)|****in' huge (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-haruko-freakinghuge.png)

Made it on a whim because I was listening to the FLCL OSTs. I even took screenshots in progress because I was teaching someone, so I guess I'll share. XD

http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-inprogress.png
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-inprogress1.png
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-inprogress2.png
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-inprogress3.png
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-inprogress4.png
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-inprogress5.png
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/flcl-inprogress6.png

See, it isn't all that hard... :)

I made an Ergo Proxy one before this, seen here (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/ergoproxy-nobg.png), but there are no guassian blurs in Inkscape (yet) so her eyeshadow is retarded. Thus I didn't post it here. I've been poking at a Hellsing one for the past month but the symbols on Alucards gloves are difficult and angering me, so yeah.

I'll take some requests too, but I can't guarantee I'll finish every single one. Anyone else who wants to try can go ahead and complete requests too, that would be cool. All I ask is keep it anime/game/manga related, I don't like vectoring people. >_>

[Niner]

Yaaaay, I was waiting for you to make one of these. :D

Like I mentioned to you before, there is a serious lack of quality ParaKiss walls out there. You can do something about that with your superior vectoring prowess. I nabbed a couple of screenshots (here (http://9.echonetwork.net/Crap/SillyPics/bscap088.jpg) and here (http://9.echonetwork.net/Crap/SillyPics/bscap091.jpg)) so hopefully those give you something to work with and then I can steal the awesomeness once you're done. XD

[Ritalin]

Doing the first one, I might even do the Isabella one afterwards unless someone else wants to. :D

[Mana]

Actually, I'd love it if you could point me out to a few good tutorials or whatnot... now with the new computer and me working less hours, I should have the time to at least try picking up some of this stuff. ^^;

[Ritalin]

For Inkscape, these are all the tools I use (http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/ch10.html). "Fill and Stroke", and "Stroke Style", aside from the node handle and object selector. Look around the rest of the site for a complete guide to it...

For Photoshop, I found this (http://www.heathrowe.com/tuts/vector.asp), it overcomplicates the process by going into extreme detail but it's very good. I just use the pen tool, right click > create vector path, then fill it (with right clicking). THEN I adjust all the curves afterwards.

I suggest making the vector very simple for your first few tries... you don't want to do every detail unless you're comfortable with the tools or really determined. It can get tedious. >_>;

[Ghostmaster]

Those are both really cool Rit keep up the good work!

[soundchazer]

I wish I had the time to go into this level of detail Rit. I will eventually try one myself, since I prefer to do my own stuff instead of requesting it.

In any case, kudos to you. (and you are right, that eyeshadow looks retarded with that effect).

[Mana]

For Inkscape, these are all the tools I use (http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/ch10.html). "Fill and Stroke", and "Stroke Style", aside from the node handle and object selector. Look around the rest of the site for a complete guide to it...

For Photoshop, I found this (http://www.heathrowe.com/tuts/vector.asp), it overcomplicates the process by going into extreme detail but it's very good. I just use the pen tool, right click > create vector path, then fill it (with right clicking). THEN I adjust all the curves afterwards.

I suggest making the vector very simple for your first few tries... you don't want to do every detail unless you're comfortable with the tools or really determined. It can get tedious. >_>;
Thank you muchly ^^ I've bookmarked the websites, and I'll read through them more when I have the time, and when I feel more up to it (damn periodsicknessdoom). I found a couple on my own just looking around, but I prefer to use a lot of diferent tutorials when doing things, so I gain more of a general outlook when doing something, as opposed to just copying exactly what others do. Maybe that's not the best thing in the world, but, eh, I'm interesting.

As for simple vectors, most definately. I have a few things in mind already, but we'll see how it goes. Thank again :3

[Ritalin]

It looks a lot better in full view! :| The thumbnail looks like ass.

http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/parakiss-blue-th.png
1600x1200 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/parakiss-blue1600.png)|1280x1024 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/parakiss-blue1280x1024.png)|1280x960 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/parakiss-blue1280x960.png)|1024x768 (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/parakiss-blue1024x768.png)

I decided to do a background for it... very fitting I think. >_>;

[Spilled Milk]

oooo so pretty Ritalin!!
your Vectors look so nice and clean!
do you have any non anime vectors? I bet you could do some awsome abstract vector work!

[Tyrdium]

Wow! Very nice indeed! The background works perfectly.

One minor nitpick, though: something seems off about Caroline's lips. I dunno, it feels like they don't fit in with the rest of the image or something. Probably because everything else has a border, although I think they'd look even worse with the standard size black line. Maybe it's just me.

[Liegenschonheit]

The parakiss vector is very clean, but in my opinion the colours seem just a bit dull. Maybe it's because of the shade of blue you used in the background, I'm not sure. It just seems that the skintones especially lack luminosity.
In any case, these vectors of yours are getting to be amazing in detail, far better than any that I've fooled around with making. Have you used Illustrator? In your opinion, is inkscape a better program to use than illustrator, or just easier to use?

[Ritalin]

@Spilled Milk;

Yes, I've vectored portraits of people, but I don't like doing it. Still life photos I don't mind, but I enjoy doing anime/game/manga/cartoon more.

@Tyrdium;

Aye, her lips don't have any shadow for the lower lip. It was bugging me too, but everytime I tried putting a mark down (shadow or line) it just looked more odd. So I copied the screenshot. There is actually a very faint outline on her upperlip, but as the resolution shrinks it becomes harder to see. I'll upload the resolution I worked with in the morning.

@Liegenschonheit;

Does this look better? (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/parakiss-v2-1600.png) I took your suggestion about the background color, and one of the mods on animepaper about the placement (too much space on top, which was bugging me anyway but I wanted to finish). I also added a very slight guassian blur to the pattern to get rid of the pixelated look.

I have Illustrator CS2, but haven't done a full vector in it so I can't say. Reason being because all my current ones are done in Inkscape. Illustrator can do A LOT more stuff -- such as its Effects like Guassian Blur. Inkscape is going to be getting these too in future releases so until then it's only a matter of what you need. Keep in mind it's only at version 0.42 (compared to Illustrators... version 11.0 or something).

Inkscape started out as a vector editor to be compliant with standards, but artists have noticed it's capabilities so in recent releases it's gotten more features. It handles strokes and fills differently than Illustrator, I wouldn't say easier or harder, just different. You open a dialogue window that controls both and their properties, and with the curve tool (a lot like the pen tool) you mark where you want to stroke or fill.

[Tyrdium]

Does this look better? (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/parakiss-v2-1600.png)Eh. Not really, sorry. Now there's too little contrast between George's hair and the background. I think you'd probably have to liven the entire image, but then the background might be too live.

[Ritalin]

Eh. Not really, sorry. Now there's too little contrast between George's hair and the background. I think you'd probably have to liven the entire image, but then the background might be too live.

._.

I'm stumped. Forgot to save the XCF too, no big deal though. It's a simple pattern I made for gimp so I can easily recreate it in a minute...

[Ninja Realist]

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/later/monet.bateau-atelier.jpg

VEKTER PLZ.

[hekikuu]

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/later/monet.bateau-atelier.jpg
VEKTER PLZ.

NR, I don't know why you want a vector of a Monet, unless you want to scale it to the size of a building; this type of artwork isn't really suited to vector rendering. Vector is best for line art. Here's a JPEG of a vector, however. If you want the SVG, let me know. It's 18MB.
http://home.comcast.net/~transfig/tracemonet.jpg

Edit: Linked!

[Ritalin]

Heh, yeah. I would ruin such a nice painting. vector isn't really gonna work for that... but hekikuu did a good job making it larger and less painted looking. :)

Can we try and link large images? Table breakage and scrolling over a large image sucks. :P

[Niner]

So, how 'bout that Isabella vector?

>.>

[Ritalin]

So, how 'bout that Isabella vector?

>.>

Doing it now. Dunno when it'll be done but I started on it. :D

[Ritalin]

Ok, I have like 4 going on but focusing on these two:

Isabella
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/isabella-progress.png

And I thought Chiyo couldn't get any cuter...
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/chiyo-progress.png

(The original backgrounds are dimmed, I haven't begun coloring chiyo yet 'cept for the eyes)

[Niner]

Good Lord, these are going to turn out made of gold and win, pretty much like all your other vectors. O_O

For the love of Photoshop and all that is vector-y, hurry!

[Ritalin]

Finished the Chiyo one... good god... so cute...! I didn't have time to upload it, but I really finished it a few nights ago.. >_> The Isabella one I am finishing up now.

Click for huge:
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/chiyocute-th.png (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/chiyo-too-cute-fullsize.png)

Gonna make a background for it later. :)

[Tyrdium]

So cute... I love it! I quite like the way you did the lighting effect on the eyes. Minor nitpick: that black outline polygon on her nose seems out of place.

Now, then, vector the rest of the picture! I command it! :D

[loner]

Phate just had an orgasm.

[Ritalin]

So cute... I love it! I quite like the way you did the lighting effect on the eyes. Minor nitpick: that black outline polygon on her nose seems out of place.

Now, then, vector the rest of the picture! I command it! :D

The nose actually looks better in wallpaper size, ^_^

http://caffeinated-dreams.net/images/wallpapers/thumbs/chiyo-pajamas-clouds-th.png (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/images/wallpapers/chiyo-pajamas-clouds.png)

I somehow ended up with this dreamlike wallpaper. That's what I get for letting myself go nuts and have no goal in mind...

@loner;
I was actually thinking of Phate the closer I got to finishing this vector. :XD:

[A-R@D]

The Color Schemes for the hair and the eye's dont seem quite right to me. I think the shading is a little too blocky and undefined. The outlining seems a bit odd as well, though i think that has to do with the image rasterization. Also there is a small spot you missed coloring in the bottom right near chiyo's rear end.

[kiyone]

I think the whole vector is just too dark or too red, and the soft highlight in her eyes bothers me a little. Besides that I think the Vector lines are great.

[Ritalin]

It has been awhile since I updated this thread, but I finally finished a trace. Couldn't finish the Isabella one because my main compy had a hard drive failure and it became toast...

Anyway, this is my first time using Illustrator (CS2) and decided to do something cute. It has some weird anchor points but I couldn't figure out how to edit nodes (looking for that later, just wanted to finish something XD). So excuse the gaps in colors... it's small though so probably not even noticable. >_>

Also, if someone has some good Rose brushes for Photoshop I'll love you forever. I found some, but they were too realistic looking so didn't bother using them in this.

Click for tasty:
http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/ouran-honey-th.png (http://caffeinated-dreams.net/vector/ouran-honey.png)

[Spilled Milk]

ahh isn't illustrator sexy? It is really confusing tho T-T.
I have some really nice flowery/rosey brushes want me to send them and you can see wether or not you like em?

[Ritalin]

Illustrator is indeed nice, but only because it has proper effects filters and inkscape doesn't have those (yet).

Email me some of the brushes to jen[at]caffeinated-dreams.net and if they aren't too realistic I'll try them on the honey vector. :D

[extravagant]

I have a request, it's a black and white to color kind of process.
May I?

[Mana]

Seeing as Rit's last post in this thread was over a year and a half ago... somehow I don't think she's still doing them, if she would even take on such a request herself.

[extravagant]

I never seem to pay attention to dates.
Thanks anyway.

[Haven]

Inkscape!?

Looks cool!

Tell me more!