MicrostockGroup
Illustrators Corner - Microstock Illustrators Forum => Illustration - General => Topic started by: skearney on April 16, 2013, 19:28
-
Hi,
I'm a new member here and I have a question in regard to microstock sites that spec 'no-auto tracing' and its terminology.
I was a classically trained animator (once upon a time) and maintained the habit of fine tuning the pencil rough until inking. I then scan and 'auto-trace' the image within illustrator. This is where I am unclear as to how the phrase 'auto-traced' would negate my way of creating imagery. Currently I am trying to get onto several of the mid and top tier sites, but you can see examples of my style at:
http://www.zazzle.com/sillykiddesigns (http://www.zazzle.com/sillykiddesigns) and http://www.zazzle.com/sillymonsters (http://www.zazzle.com/sillymonsters)
Should I be concerned about how the artwork may not be accepted onto sites ?
Thanks,
Shawn
-
Hey there Skearney,
Auto-tracing refers to a available command under Adobe Illustrator, where the program will automatically convert a raster image into vectors with little to no participation on the artist's part. While it sounds like quite the dream come true for traditional artists, its limitations makes it useful for simple images, such as those with 3-4 colours max. For full detailed colour images and photos, it renders an artwork with very blotchy and messy shapes, often with lines that are excessively complex and poorly formed and with none of the shapes or layers grouped in a logical manner. Agencies tend to prefer clean and neat files, with compositions that can easily be manipulated.
Your illustrations look great, at least at a smaller size. They certainly don't look auto-traced. :) I think you should be just fine. The process of what you're doing sounds like the exact reverse of auto-tracing, where you are manually digitizing your artworks to vector.
Hope this helps!
-
Thanks.
I am manually digitizing the scanned artwork. I believe I may be over thinking this part of the process - the artwork is scanned and cleaned in photoshop. I then place it within a blank illustrator doc and auto-trace with fine tuned settings. I then clean up and color from that point. Should I not be worrying so much about it ?
Shawn
-
The fact that you do clean-up and add colour from that point is more than good enough. It's usually stuff that are hastily auto-traced and then quickly uploaded that get rejected. I think you should be fine. :)
-
I also think you will be fine, I think they are most concerned with auto-tracing photos in any case.
As long as the resulting vector is relatively "clean", stray paths or excessive anchors there shouldn't be a problem.
-
OK. Thanks for the clarification. I'm fairly confident now that my process is fine.
I did have SS ask me to resubmit with original scans as proof on 6 pieces. This I can do and will let you know how it pans out.
Shawn
-
As an update, I also make a point of detailing my process in the notes provided on upload. I believe this may at least give them an understanding.