I've always wondered something about designs that are submitted here. Today's design on the 7th September 2011 for example (many others as well), shows some really nice and intricate detail. My question is whether this is in vector or some large raster format? Obviously vector-based designs are best for scalability, but in this instance I can't tell whether the design is vector or raster. If it is indeed in vector, how was it done?
Sketching comes first obviously, but when I do designs, they are scanned in for manual vectorization by myself. The results are always smooth and perfect, just to my liking. But when it comes to rough treatments, as in this case, I'm a bit at a loss. I'm not referring to noise and grain, those are easy to replicate in Illustrator, but instead the rough uneven edges of designs. Do folks scan their art in, auto-vectorize in Illustrator and call it a day? Or do sketches undergo further treatment... like black-inking first before scans?
Sketching comes first obviously, but when I do designs, they are scanned in for manual vectorization by myself. The results are always smooth and perfect, just to my liking. But when it comes to rough treatments, as in this case, I'm a bit at a loss. I'm not referring to noise and grain, those are easy to replicate in Illustrator, but instead the rough uneven edges of designs. Do folks scan their art in, auto-vectorize in Illustrator and call it a day? Or do sketches undergo further treatment... like black-inking first before scans?
I'll explain more if you don't follow...
I expect most would be in Vector, some are in Raster and a few are layers of both. Learn to use Vectors as soon as possible, unless you find them a massive obstacle to creating Art in which case go for large scale Raster.
For Raster images size want to be about 4000 pixels wide by upto to about 5000 pixel high at 300 DPI. Or if you are working in Vectors 14" wide by 17" high. This is right for Teefury work, others may use different screen sizes for the silk screen printing process OR the printable area on their Direct to Garment printers may be different.
If you must work in Raster, get into the habit of working in layers right away and keep a clean backrgound layer at the bottom that you can hide; this is so you can save an image of just your design. And with all methods keep multiple saves as you progress and revise your work.
There are a number of methods. Any automatic method is best avoided as they can result in a not very good photocopy of the original.
*Tracing by hand a scanned image
*Tracing by hand a photo or other image
*Creating from scratch
*Creating from an image or model made in another package (eg. 3d modelling software)
There are probably other methods, all of the above are the ones I've used (except auto).
To create rough effects, usually distress effects in my case, I create a raster copy of the vector image at very HiRes and then cut holes in it. I magic wand select from a layer I created in a noise texture generator and then use it to delete from the HiRes Raster copy of my image.
For Halftones it's best just to leave the gradient in and let the printers deal with the Halftoning, unless you want a specific look. I used to create Halftones from the gradients on a separate layer, but I stopped doing it because my package can only create Raster Halftones.
For more program specific info you'd need advice from someone who uses Illustrator, I don't currently use it.
But honestly it would be awesome if they were in vector. Okay I'm going to test this out, if I uncover some fast trick, I'll let you guys know. Thanks again!