Ok, so everyone seems to make vectors on Illustrator. So I have to ask, what does vectoring in Illustrator has that surpasses Photoshop's Pen Tool? More options? Better control? Is it worth downloading Illustrator for it's vectoring?

By the way, I hope this is in the right topic. Didn't know where else to put it. o_O

Technically speaking, a vector is an image you can resize to any amount with detriment to it's resolution. Although photoshop does have the pen tool to help create 'vectors' they aren't 'techinically' vectors, as when resized the quality doesn't stay. Whilst in a vector program like illustrator, you can zoom in 2500% and it the smooth lines will still be nice and smooth.

Personally, I don't vector anime images but from the vectors I do, I find that illustrator does have more options and better control for vectoring in general, as it is a vector based program : P Much more options too regarding to vectors.

If the pentool in PS keeps you happy then I guess you can just stick to that : P But it doesn't hurt to give illustrator a go either x3

Actually the reason that the vector images get pixellated in Photoshop is because they get rasterized if you tell PS to render them, and afterwards have to be interpolated when determining image attributes. Vector images use geometric values to determine lines in the image, and therefore, can be recalculated upon zooming/resizing.

I have little experience in Illustrator, but I'm told is is better for this type of thing, though.

I have some questions about Illustrator myself, I hope you don't mind me asking them here, Kyendo...

Well, first off. I'm not even sure how to use Illustrator's exporting commands. (I use Illustrator CS, if that helps) I started vectoring on an image at 1000*1400px, but after I was done, and exported it as .jpg, .psd AND .png, the size was significantly smaller than the original. Why is that? By significantly, I mean that it becomes around 300*400px in size. Why is it that the end product is smaller than the original? Is there something I'm missing or my settings are screwed?

Secondly, I'm having real problems with curves. Do you people do curves while you trace, or do it after? I'm finding that when I do curves that matches the image perfectly, the next point I add will have to go around and thus create a large unwanted portion. I hope you understnad, but it's kinda hard to explain. I'll post a screenshot if necessary.

And sorry if you mind, Kyendo, but I didn't want to post another topic about the same things... >_

http://www.ausanime.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2490&sid=279cb586625014163de392a92c208041

This is probably the best (anime) vector tut on the net and if you read towards the bottom of it you should be able to fix your exporting problem.

As for the curves, you just have to click on the point again after you made it to kill off any 'carry on' curve from the previous line. However, the reason Illustrator doesn't automatically do this is because doing so you lose a nice clean curve and get a sharp edge. I know Wild (best and first anime tracer) doesn't actually use curves in Illustrator and just alot of small, straight lines to create smooth curves.

I had to learn these things the hard way about 3 weeks ago, but there are alot of things you should read in the tut link before you start another trace.

Anyone tried the free open source Scalable Vector Graphics Editor Inkscape before? I didn't use Illustrator a lot but I do prefer the pen tool in Inkscape and Photoshop than Illustrator.

There's no problem at all, JTsang. Topics are made to be developed. ^_^

And thanks for the info, everyone! I've been kinda interested in vectors (starting lots of them and finnishing only a couple =p), and I'll try working with Illustrator. I might try Inkscape too, xenohawk. =)

Illustrator is MADE for vectors. so, if you plan on doing full blown vectors, that is what you use. the pen tool in photoshop is more like an add-on so you don't have to switch back and forth between the 2 programs and copy and paste all the time. illustrator gives you far more options with vectoring. for example...This:
http://scad.edu/academic/majors/grds/gallery_files//03.jpg
was done in illustrator. you can't do all thos ekinds of effects as strict vectors in photoshop. you would have to use the airbrush in stuff, but in order to do THAT you would have to rasterize it and resizing would then be a pain in the ass.

for saving the images, check your output settings. you may have the dpi set low. illustrator works in about 300dpi without being dpi. when you view it, the size when rasterized would be 300dpi, but this might not be on your output settings. if they're at 72dpi, they'll end up being smaller images when rasterized.
plain and simple...you want to do vectors, you use illustrator. it's the best vector tool in existance right now. freehand doesn't even compare. the pen tool blows.

i've been using illustrator for a few years so i can use it pretty well (not as well as that guy) but i know my way around, so if you have any qiestions, feel free to ask me :)

If you want to use your Illustrator vectors in Photoshop, don't have Illustrator export it. Rather, open the .ai file directly in Photoshop; PS versions 5+ should have .ai support. In this manner you can tell PS how big to render the image, both pixel size and DPI, giving you better control over the image as you work with it in PS. Also, since you're opening the source file directly there will be no issues with image compression that comes part and parcel with certain image formats (ie jpeg).

Ah! Very nice tutorial, thanks for the link, r055. Now I can finally do curves without having the next one continuing it. I've just checked my settings, and yep, it was set as 72DPI.

Also, when you work on screenshots or pictures that are either grayscale or not that high in quality, how do you come across in vectoring it? Is there a good way to make it seem less vectored? I've been working on a vector of a monochrome image, and don't know exactly how to enhance it. I've got all the basic colours and such, but it still looks dull because of the lack of something...; it just doesn't look fit to be on a wall.

No worries, I just learnt all this stuff too so I can kinda understand where you're coming from.

As for your question, just get some reference material; other scans of the same characters for the colours, etc. It also helps when vectoring shit quality images to closly look at the highest quality scan of the same characters, artist and studio to gain a decent idea of what everything should look like (as in the style of eyes the artist does, etc.)

Good luck :D

Hmm. I seem to be having the most problems with folds on the clothing, and the eyes. Or maybe I just don't have enough colours? The folds annoyed me. I have no idea how to do them without them looking ugly, but if I left them out, it would look even worse. Agh!

My suggestion: Don't outline all of the folds - I think the outline is what is distracting. Highlights and shadows tend not to have outlines unless there is a sharp change in the image, such as a well-defined jawbone.

My suggestion: Don't outline all of the folds - I think the outline is what is distracting. Highlights and shadows tend not to have outlines unless there is a sharp change in the image, such as a well-defined jawbone.

I agree. but it's a good vector so far.

LOL here is something new.
http://turbulence.org/Works/imprimatur/

Its a online vector tool, but not really practical to use since it cannot save (at least on mine). Works almost like Inkscape.