Author Topic: "Stock Illustration" and "Stock Vector" what is the difference? (Read 5342 times)

Beppe Grillo · « **on:** March 23, 2015, 04:34 »

I don't understand why on Dreamstime some vector files (jpg + attached eps) are indicated as "Stock Illustration" and not as "Stock Vector" as they should be.

cuppacoffee · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2015, 06:36 »

Perhaps because some contributors submit images made from a vector program but only uploaded as jpgs? Not all illustrations are available as vectors there. Buyers search for either photos or illustrations and if they find an illustration they like they have the option to purchase a vector but only if a vector is available.

Here are the illustration subcategories that you can filter by -
Refine by subcategory :
3D & Computer generated
Hand drawn & Artistic
Illustrations (currently 1,522,073 available)
Vector (currently 2,184,237 available)
See also
2D & 3D Animation Stock Footage

I don't understand why they consider .pngs as vectors (listed under the vector subcategory)? They are not vectors, but bitmaps. And there are vectors listed in the Illustrations subcategory when they should be listed under the Vector subcategory. Very confusing for a buyer who knows his/her stuff but maybe easier for just someone looking for illustrations (akin to clipart)?

DT was never good at sorting by category. I suspect that some of these "illustrations" were first uploaded as jpgs (which is what they required for many years before a vector could be added), placed in the Illustrations category and then when the vector was added later the image isn't automatically moved to the vector category. When one uploads an image there they have the ability to choose the Illustration category it goes into and many choose the wrong category but it stays in the category that was selected by the contributor.

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2015, 07:58 »

Quote from: cuppacoffee on March 23, 2015, 06:36

Perhaps because some contributors submit images made from a vector program but only uploaded as jpgs? […]

Well, maybe I have not been very clear.
On the site all these images are indicated as "Additional format uploaded: YES, Encapsulated PostScript" under the "Online Files" when you click on Edit, because they all are jpg + eps.
But in the portfolio some of these same images are labeled "Stock Illustration" and other "Stock Vector".
Images of a series with similar subjects and style can appear with the different labels. :

I asked them… we will see what they answer.

Quote from: cuppacoffee on March 23, 2015, 06:36

DT was never good at sorting by category. I suspect that some of these "illustrations" were first uploaded as jpgs (which is what they required for many years before a vector could be added), placed in the Illustrations category and then when the vector was added later the image isn't automatically moved to the vector category. When one uploads an image there they have the ability to choose the Illustration category it goes into and many choose the wrong category but it stays in the category that was selected by the contributor.

This explanation seems to be more plausible.

Shelma1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2015, 08:07 »

When you upload illustrations to DT you can choose the "Stock Illustration" or "Stock Vector" categories when choosing your three categories. Usually I choose both, plus a third category. Some people may choose only one illustration category, saving the other two options for something else. It's up to the contributor, I think.

cthoman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2015, 08:49 »

I usually just choose illustration. At one point in time, they made a big deal about things not being vectors until the vector file gets approved after the raster file was approved, so the process of uploading vectors was a little confusing.

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2015, 11:04 »

Quote from: Shelma1 on March 23, 2015, 08:07

When you upload illustrations to DT you can choose the "Stock Illustration" or "Stock Vector" categories when choosing your three categories. Usually I choose both, plus a third category. Some people may choose only one illustration category, saving the other two options for something else. It's up to the contributor, I think.

Yes, I do the same thong too.

No Free Lunch · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2015, 11:41 »

Quote from: Beppe Grillo on March 23, 2015, 11:04

Quote from: Shelma1 on March 23, 2015, 08:07
When you upload illustrations to DT you can choose the "Stock Illustration" or "Stock Vector" categories when choosing your three categories. Usually I choose both, plus a third category. Some people may choose only one illustration category, saving the other two options for something else. It's up to the contributor, I think.

Yes, I do the same thong too.

'thong' is for sexy women lol!

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2015, 12:35 »

^ lol

I have learnt a new word!!

heywoody · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2015, 16:48 »

heywoody · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2015, 16:51 »

Quote from: No Free Lunch on March 23, 2015, 11:41

Quote from: Beppe Grillo on March 23, 2015, 11:04
Quote from: Shelma1 on March 23, 2015, 08:07
When you upload illustrations to DT you can choose the "Stock Illustration" or "Stock Vector" categories when choosing your three categories. Usually I choose both, plus a third category. Some people may choose only one illustration category, saving the other two options for something else. It's up to the contributor, I think.

Yes, I do the same thong too.

'thong' is for sexy women lol!

Clearly you haven't seen Borat