vector self-portrait, how to? Which app?

spiers69

hey all,

if you go along to: http://www.deviantart.com/print/219472/



you'll see there is a great vectored self-portrait there. If i wanted to do something similar, how would i? I'm assuming that it started as a digital photograph?



Anyway, if someone can recommend software then please let me know.

Thank you

curiousuburb

Looks like something produced by Flash's "Trace Bitmap" command.



Might also be Illustrator and/or Freehand, though those aren't as "one button" tools to get the same look.



YMMV

spiers69

hmmm,

i tried using Flash, but it's no good.



Keeps coming up looking pretty crap.

thanks all the same

zenatek

I think a good portion of that image has been hand drawn. A trace function will not result in that no matter how good it is.

spiers69

hmmmm, so it takes real skill then.

Guess i'd better get practising.

Thanks

gon

It isn't very difficult to do a nice job if you take a photo and paint on top or trace paths in PS or Gimp. Just do a layer for each separate detail (if you are doing vector paths, fill the path into a new layer when it's done). When the whole thing is ready, recolor and/or rework the layers that don't look quite right. Hopefully you saved the paths as you were working on them, too, otherwise it'll be a long re-trace even for what should be a small fix. Adjustment layers and other such non-destructive editing can help. If you are a sucky artist like me it will take hours, but it will be pretty good when it's done, nevertheless.

curiousuburb

Quote:

Originally posted by spiers69

hmmm,

i tried using Flash, but it's no good.



Keeps coming up looking pretty crap.

thanks all the same

Well you do need an appropriate source image, and really ought to spend some time experimenting with all the options (# of colours and curve-fit particularly), but as mentioned, the trick is often to 'optimize' your image in PS or similar before firing it into vector mode using Trace Bitmap.



There are plenty of good tutorials online detailing the tricks of vectorizing photos using Trace Bitmap, but the truly artistic work often requires some fine tuning both before and after.

rok

illustrator cs2's new livetrace is 5 million time better than its old trace command (which hadn't been updated since illustrator 5/5.5), and will get you in the ballpark quickly,and still remains live and editable to change variables and experiment.



but for the most photorealistic vector drawings, you need to become VERY handy with blends. yes, good ol' fashioned blends. the tools that's been in every vector app, but, like channels in photoshop, often gets ignored in favor of one-button filters and solutions, but blends offer a sick amount of control for the true artisans. i compare it to channels because almost every filter could be accomplished by someone really handy with channels (albeit with more work), and almost every "live effect" that illustrator touts today was pioneered by someone who had their blend mojo workin'. illustrator's gradient mesh tool takes a lot of the tedious-ness out of blend creation, if you have the patience to learn how to use it.

karl kuehn

Inkscape's trace feature also does a good job, and it is free, but there is no really native version for MacOS X. Oh... and it is open source.

rok

here is basically a tutorial on exactly how that image you linked to was accomplished.



When Vector Meets Photo courtesy of Layers Magazine

spiers69

thanks Rok.

By using that article you linked (and plenty of initiative) i managed to make my own image. I've run out of time now, but i'll post an image tomorrow.

spiers69

Ok. Here it is:[hope this works]









Looking at it now, i think the eyebrows are too dark. My eyebrows are pretty thick, but not that noticeable!