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VECTOR RANT
So lately I've had the joy of reading complaints against the vector gallery directors' hard line on categorizing artwork in the vector category. Several deviants, some prominent, have been calling me out as "the biggest idiot I have ever seen" who "has no idea what a vector is".

Well, it's really frustrating. With every single miscategorization, I paste the following line:

Your deviation has been moved to a different category because it is not a vector, contains raster elements, or was best suited for another category. Please see the following links:
[link] - What are vectors?
[link] - How are they made?
[link] - Vector Do's and Do Not's (Volume 1)
[link] - Vector Do's and Do Not's (Volume 2)


These resources clearly explain what vectors are, how they are made, and what the specific policies are for the vector gallery. It seems obvious to me that if I send out this sort of resource that people will be satisfied. Granted, I make mistakes from time to time, but if someone points them out, I move the deviation back (and this process usually takes under 24 hours). Unlike some deviants like to proclaim, we process help desk tickets at a ridiculously fast rate and we respond to every single one. Feel free to send us concerns or feedback! It's what's there for and we do listen to what you have to say.

But, most commonly, I get these complaints in journal form that make it seem like I am the most clueless person in the world who must have got the job only because they drew straws and I picked the short one. Those who know me (most of you who are reading this journal) know that I really love vectors. Like, a lot. Way too much even.

So, you can see why it's frustrating to be called out by one person, and then 100 people in a journal agreeing with that person, when it seems that no one reads these resources $Ikue compiled. We made them to help people!


The most common complaint: This idiot moved my vector because he doesn't know what a vector is.
The answer: I moved your deviation because you included something, anything, no matter how small*, in the presented full view / download that was raster. This includes before and after shots, pencil sketches, Photoshop effects (those cute little shines and glows), texture and brush overlays (old paper, clouds, moons, and splattered paint), screenshots showing the application, or work in progress shots.

There are some exceptions (*) which are mentioned in the vector articles, such as framing and minor color tweaks. But the rest needs to be vector.


The most common emotion expressed: I am insulted that he thinks my vector is something else.
My reaction: Why would ever be insulted that someone moves your category? Especially when it's clear the reasons it was moved because they were attached to the note from the bot. We're not trying to insult anyone. We're just trying to follow rules to make the vector gallery the best it can be.

Why exactly do we have such strict policies? They were created to stop people from "cheating" with vectors by using blurs, smudge tools, and incorporating raster into vector works -- at one time the vector gallery looked more like another gallery -- the Mixed Media gallery, which is where this work belongs. Don't feel bad that your work gets moved there! It's your art -- we're just trying to make sure it's in the right place with other work of a similar nature! Isn't that better for everyone?

Can I say that all galleries have strict policies like the vector gallery? I can't, although I wouldn't be against it. The more organization, the better it is for the site. But, my gallery is the vector gallery, so I do the best I can with what I have!

So, in conclusion, I don't get what the fuss is about! It's frustrating to see complaints, but I always take my time out to answer each one individually. I really respect the community, and I want them to understand the vector policies, and to express their feedback and concerns. Sometimes I just wish it was done in a more constructive way!


REAL LIFE
I finished finals (I beat GTA in 25 hours game time and 2 days real life, so it didn't affect school too much thankfully) and moved back home to Midland. I'm working at the same ad agency and production studio that I've been working for since 2003, and I'm keeping busy (already two or three clients needing work done). We almost had a shoot in Cancun, Mexico next week for a reality TV show we're filming, but it was canceled. Too bad! Although lugging camera equipment around all day and watching people have fun would have been exciting, I'm sure.

I also have a few plans for the future:
1. Finish the collaboration I've been doing for over a year.
2. Redesign my web page.
3. Make a stellar piece of artwork that will be famous for years and years (ha, yeah right!)

I'll keep you posted on anything neat! Hope you guys are having a good summer so far!

VECTOR GALLERY _{(I copied this from $Ikue because he's a genius!)}
Vector Art is a technique, meaning art created in a vector-based program. Vector art is the use of primitives such as Points, Lines and Curves. The vector programs keeps track of the relationship between these primitives. This allows the images created, to be scaled and rescaled without loosing quality or becoming pixelated. This is in opposition to "raster (or bitmap) graphics" which is an image represented by a collection of pixels. These pixels if scaled above 100%, will degrade and loose quality.

Popular vector programs are: Illustrator, Freehand, Corel Draw, and Flash. Almost everything created with these programs is considered a vector piece. I say "almost" because there are exceptions to every rule. If your vector piece combines raster and vector images then I'm sorry to tell you but it is no longer a vector piece (and subsequently does not belong in the vector gallery). Example: If you finish your vector piece and realize after exporting it to a more web friendly version, you think it is lacking something. So you take it into photoshop and apply a simple texture to the surface of the piece just to give it a little something extra. This is no longer a vector piece, and should be posted to the "Digital art > Mixed media", gallery. Like wise if you take this raster texture image into illustrator and just apply a layer style (multiply, screen etc.) this is still not a vector piece. The common factor in these two equations is the raster texture. Since this texture cannot be scaled above 100% this makes the vector technically useless beyond that raster images original size. That being said don't think you are unable to add texturing to a vector piece. Most of these programs come equipped with detailed pattern swatches, textured brushes, and even the ability to "Live trace" which does as it's name implies, traces a raster image and turns it into a vector graphic.

Just to reiterate my point and to ensure there is no confusion here is a list of generally considered Raster Bases programs: Photoshop, Painter, MS Paint, , and a great free alternative Gimp. Basically everything created with these programs is considered a Raster image. I say use a clause simply because a few of these programs are capable of creating images with points, lines, and curves just as a vector program would. Photoshop for instance can create vector based images, however these are typically considered "Vexels" because of the fact that Vexel artists typically incorporate brush strokes into their images (for hair, etc.). Speaking of brushes. Just because you have downloaded and installed a brush set for photoshop or any other of the aforementioned raster programs that have the word "vector" in the title, does not deem your image a vector piece. These brushes come in different sizes and no matter how high a resolution they may come in, they still cannot be scaled above their 100% mark without loosing quality.

To put it simply "Vector is not a "style" like Anime, but a "medium" like charcoal. Asking what vector-art looks like is like asking what an oil painting looks like. It could look like Rembrandt, Picasso, or a fifth grader's fingerpainting."


HELPFUL VECTOR LINKS
What Are Vectors? (In-depth)
How Do You Make Vectors?
Vector Do's and Dont's


DAILY DEVIATIONS
As part of my role here, feel free to send me or $Ikue Daily Deviation suggestions. Please note the following however:
Suggest Vector Work Only Please
No DD's were given within the last 3 months to the same artist
Remember Quality over Quantity
Including a reason for selection and a thumbnail is helpful

Also, if you just want to discuss vectors or talk about events, organizations, and groups related to vectors, feel free to send me a note or drop a line here!


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