About 5 months ago there was that announcement about vectors & their needing significant work in order to be accepted. It was also mentioned that more specific guidelines would be eventually added to the FAQ.

I recently had a wall rejected, and while the background did need work, another of the reasons given was that the vector outlines were done with simple strokes and I need to "outline the outlines." All my past walls were done with simple strokes but I guess, since this one is a larger "close-up" type of vector, the simple strokes were more obvious. The thing is, if I had known simple strokes were not sufficient I would have saved myself a lot of time by using the other method in the first place. That same week I also vectored a scan for MellyKill but after that notification about the simple strokes, I had to PM her & let her know the scan was probably useless until I can rework that vector, too.

I've reread the original announcement & don't see where I could have been forewarned on this. And now I'm worried that once I fix this problem I'm going to be informed of additonal aspects that are unacceptable. That same PM mentioned that frequently vectors (especially from screenshots) need additional details added as "there are always details missing. Usually in the eyes, and the hair and fabric. Those, needed to be added in as well." I knew the eyes needed work & had already referenced multiple scans to get those detailed but I don't know what else I could do. Is the best solution to PM a gallery mod before submitting?

Kalico told me she is working on the guidelines & I don't want to be a pest begging for them. It just seems unfair to have walls rejected for things that aren't clearly defined yet.

I have had experiences myself of wallpapers being rejected in the past so I think I know where you're coming from.

But there is a possibility that the wallpaper could have been done better.

And now I'm worried that once I fix this problem I'm going to be informed of additonal aspects that are unacceptable.

Its wrong to assume when infact you aren't even so sure if this is the case. I suggest that you try to fix whatever it is that needs to be, and wait for the moderators to tell you any extra precautions and directions that you might have to undergo. Eitherway, having a wall deleted isn't the end of the world. Just make it better and I'm sure it will be accepted once it meets the said standards. :)

Well, Ive seen many wallpapers (some good too!) which are vectored with a mono thickness, I don't see a problem there, and it shouldn't be rejected part of/just because of that, but i do prefer different thickness of lines, it looks much better.

LadySaotome

Is the best solution to PM a gallery mod before submitting?

I would say, generally speaking, most mods are happy to give advice and help in session zero.

Unfortunately, the work we do means it's not always possible for us to comment on walls in SZ with the frequency of normal users, so what I normally suggest is post your wall up there, give it a day or so for people to respond, and then if you're not satisfied/want more help PM a mod (or two) and ask for it.

Well, excuse my interruption here, but since I have been in several pm strings with lady satome about this, I inadvertantly feel the need to interject. ;p
I think the main question is, where are the guidelines we need to follow?
I realize the annoucement was made about 5 months ago, and although it did say more detail needed to be put into the vectors, it (and the pages of convo.) following it, never mentioned that the outlines could not be strokes.
(which seems to be the main point of concern, from my gathering at least)
although I vary the width of my strokes, I still only use strokes for outlining my vectors, and that's largely due to the fact I've never been told it had to be done any other way...
I've had a whopping four walls accepted, so you know I'm an expert on this right? *sarcasm*
but honestly, it really does seem unfair for a wall to be rejected under the guidelines that aren't really in place, (hidden in a discussion forum) and I think that's the issue.
and please don't think I'm attacking the mods for being unfair, I realize you guys all have lives outside of AP, but so do we, if you're raising the bar on the standards, excellent! make us try harder and really produce fine quality papers! but please let us know what the standards are beforehand!

quoting the guide

For the purposes of submission here at AP a vector or a re-cg is any image where you have corrected, altered, cleaned or in any way 'fixed' a scan. The key is that the final product is an improvement on the original and anything you've done to it is seamless.

The methods and programs you used for doing this do not matter, just the quality and usability of what you have produced.

The rejection/deletion process is a one-on-one affair between the submitter and the rejector/deletor. Hence, I find it hilarious that when disputing a wall/scan that invites for other mods/admins' opinions, the most important item is always omitted by the disputer.

Mods and admins are not psychics.

Dias

The rejection/deletion process is a one-on-one affair between the submitter and the rejector/deletor. Hence, I find it hilarious that when disputing a wall/scan that invites for other mods/admins' opinions, the most important item is always omitted by the disputer.

Mods and admins are not psychics.

I'm not disputing my wall rejection. I'm disputing guidelines that don't exist in any form that I can forearm myself with. I thought including my specific wall to be irrelevant. But since you seem to want it... http://www.animepaper.net/forums/Session-Zero/37778/

That's not to say I didn't consider disputing the wall itself as I feel there are several walls in the gallery with much worse vectors than mine. But I decided, why fight to get a subpar wall accepted when I can make it better?

I don't see how your vector is a guideline issue. When a screenshot is enlarged, the outlines definitely will be enlarged too. However, that doesn't mean you must follow the exact same thickness (either that or you did not reduce the thickness enough) because right now, your outlines are so thick till the point of making your vectors look clearcut LQ. The outlines are shaky on certain parts and on curves, look weak. Not to mention the tip of the strokes which is too rounded due to the thickness. The rejection of the vector is fairly obvious. Low visual quality.

A similiar style to yours is the below wallpaper.

http://www.animepaper.net/gallery/wallpapers/Fruits-Basket/item17841/

The main difference is that the outlines are considerably thinner and did not follow the thickness of the original. This allows for smoother curves and cleaner look as well as a better visual quality.

And taking into account the nature of the character (which is more serious compared to the image used in the FB wall), your ends should at least trail off to a more narrow tip.

It's like comparing drawing a person using a pen and a crayon.

If you know any vectors which are worse than yours due to the outlines thicker than yours', let me know.

I fail to see how the "nature of the character" affects which stroke is most appropriate. That's a matter of personal preference & artist's choice. http://www.animepaper.net/gallery/wallpapers/Hanaukyo-Maid-Team/item39407/

And I understand you guys need to back each other up in all these situations. I'm not angry at the mods or the rejection.

I just want my guidelines. I've blown hours on this wall only to have to redo it. If I had known tapered tips on my strokes was a requirement, I would have done so. The same with my larger strokes. Believe it or not, that was a conscious choice on my part. While each of my walls has gone through session zero - my vectoring has never been an issue. Frankly, I find the roundness of a strokes end much cleaner than lines dribbling off, and a strokes size doesn't effect it's "smoothness" . http://www.animepaper.net/gallery/wallpapers/Ouran-High-School-Host-Club/item39857/