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lemonteaLemon's Vector Guide - Ver 3.0

Published: 2004-02-11 03:06:40 +0000 UTC; Views: 130730; Favourites: 1153; Downloads: 74006
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Description This is Lemontea's Definitive Vector Guide Version 3.0.1. That title was a wee bit large for the title on DeviantART.

For all those who have never seen version 1 or 2, this the guide for Photoshop 7 - CS2. These are true vectors; they are not rasters. Deal with it if you don't like it, you purists, but Photoshop is a capable vector program. Props off to `voodoo-prophet , ^object2bdestroyd , *turp , ~fuzzynoise , and others who have supported me and helped me with vectors so many times.

I hope this allows everyone who wants to try their hand at this tutorial to get introduced to the wonderful world of vectors.

Have fun! This weighs in at about 910KB so you might want to make a sandwich or something if you're on 56k. I promise that this tutorial works if you can sit down and try it, and I suggest you do. I've seen so many great results and people that are now better than me because of trying my tutorial when they were first getting started. I can pick out "lemontea-styled" vectors from thumbnails in the vector galleries, and it's somewhat humbling.

INSTRUCTIONS
In order to use this tutorial, you must uncompress all of the files in the zip file to the same directory. WinZIP or the default WindowsXP compression agent will allow you to do this. To launch the actual tutorial, open the "index.html" file.

If there is a problem, feel free to access this guide on-line at [link]

What's New in 3.0.1:
Fixed some HTML problems (added margins, for example)
Added small notes for the following:
- 300 DPI example of a portrait
- Autoshapes and their relation to abstract vector art
- Autoshapes and their impact on vectoring eyes
- Included a readme.html file

What's New in 3.0.0:
Updated specifically for CS2
Completely retooled the layout into multiple pages (because the content was lagging older computers).
Added the following sections:
- Using "Actions" to speed up common tasks (lossless zooming)
- Notifications of new terminology and added CS2 disclaimers
- Updated shadow and shading techniques with an example from *turp
- Making eye glasses or sunglasses
- Vectoring in Photoshop 6
- Credits given to the vector community

What's New in 2.5.7:
Added the following sections:
- Examples of "over curving" reducing fluidness of a vector
- Added three short sections on using advanced pen tool techniques

What's New in 2.5.4:
Fixed some layout issues.
Added the following sections:
- How to resume a vector shape after points are already placed.
- How to convert a Photoshop vector to EPS (and have it completely, 100% editable).
- Added a "Download" Link (although this was for the mirror of my site, I left it on there incase in some future time you wanted to download an updated version without opening DevianART or my website directly.)

What's New in 2.5:
Reference to color selection on an active vector layer.
Sets within sets for the Photoshop CS feature.
A new introduction.
Fixed 12 spelling and gramatical errors.
Placed a "word from the author" note at the bottom.
Fixed one anchor link.

What's New in 2.0:
Many tips and tricks
How to Vector line art
Lots of corrections and updates

What's New in 1.0:
How to vector a portrait.
Basic information.

Thanks everybody!

And, if you have any complaints or comments, just tell me I'd love to improve the guide. Request to your hearts content for future additions.
Related content
Comments: 430

fuzzah In reply to ??? [2005-05-10 11:49:21 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! I'm excited. I'll be checking this one out really soon.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

aneesah In reply to ??? [2005-05-10 09:17:41 +0000 UTC]

I'm downloading!

But I don't have CS2 (yet), though... Any major differences?

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mojaam In reply to ??? [2005-05-10 05:57:31 +0000 UTC]

OOOoo boy, must give your your props for being so detail and including so much!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

turp In reply to ??? [2005-05-10 04:41:25 +0000 UTC]

Woo! New linkage!

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sandyclaws In reply to ??? [2005-05-10 04:38:11 +0000 UTC]

yay a new version. love it.

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projectmayhem In reply to ??? [2005-05-10 04:25:36 +0000 UTC]

Woo hoo!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Foxfairy24 In reply to ??? [2005-05-10 01:38:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for making this non-boring tutorial.
*worships*

I became very scared when I read another vector tutorial that said the way I was making vectors (bad vectors) was not how to make vectors because I was using adobe photoshop, which was a raster program. Now I know that photoshop still loves me and that term paper girl is still a vector, if not a poor one.

Totally fantastiriffic.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

yajido In reply to ??? [2005-05-06 18:30:49 +0000 UTC]

thanks a lot dude~ this tutorial inspires me A lot!

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ladyofshalott In reply to ??? [2005-05-01 06:15:10 +0000 UTC]

thnx! will try very soon!

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Atomic-Saboteur In reply to ??? [2005-04-29 16:55:35 +0000 UTC]

I seriously would lick you if you were here! I've needed a vector tutorial forEVER. You are a God. You really are.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Guru0022 In reply to ??? [2005-04-22 14:29:27 +0000 UTC]

I have done Illustrator vectors before, but Photoshop vectors? Guess I'll have to try this out!

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CaNoFzOo In reply to ??? [2005-04-18 17:14:53 +0000 UTC]

Wow thank you for making this. I just started vector art. I've always been interested in it, but never tried it. I must say, vectoring hair is a son of a bitch! This is really helpful. Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LadyDeathScythe In reply to CaNoFzOo [2005-05-10 04:36:39 +0000 UTC]

I agree with ya, vectoring hair is freakin hard

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

CaNoFzOo In reply to LadyDeathScythe [2005-05-10 17:29:51 +0000 UTC]

It sure is. I still can't get the hang of it.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

blazt05 In reply to ??? [2005-03-20 03:06:47 +0000 UTC]

gonna try it now

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

pikeletxo In reply to ??? [2005-02-01 06:29:14 +0000 UTC]

I remember reading this about a year ago and thinking I should try it. I've never done them this way.

By the way, I've linked about 5 people to this today.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Vanillasuga In reply to ??? [2005-01-21 14:15:25 +0000 UTC]

hey am new here, I read through your interesting tutorial and my question goes, how can I get similar kind of lining to pencil drawing?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

lemontea In reply to Vanillasuga [2005-01-21 14:20:49 +0000 UTC]

Well, this is a bit tricky, but I do know how. Ok, here's what you do. You trace the shape as a vector path (not an active vector). Then, select the brush you want to stroke it with whatever options you use to get the pencil effect -- scatter and angle jitter. I'd probably go to 500% what you are currently doing and stroke it with a 20 size rough brush with scatter and angle jitter on. Then, simply stroke in the paths window while having the brush currently selected. Now resize back down, and the scattered brush will look quite a bit like a pencil line.

Did that make sense? If not, when I get off work tonight, I'll make you a visual guide.

👍: 0 ⏩: 2

overduegalaxy In reply to lemontea [2005-02-06 02:18:50 +0000 UTC]

If you ever did end up making her a visual guide, I'd like to see it.

That sounds like something I could use.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

lemontea In reply to overduegalaxy [2005-02-06 03:17:42 +0000 UTC]

Never did, but I suppose if you bug me sometime next week like Fridayish, I'll do it for you.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Vanillasuga In reply to lemontea [2005-02-01 02:16:38 +0000 UTC]

Thank you :sweat: just now learning to use the reply button, am new here.. am going to try that tomorrow and see if I can work it out ^^

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Sshadowz In reply to ??? [2005-01-21 12:48:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much ^_^ Great big help!

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nous-sommes-vous In reply to ??? [2005-01-20 11:00:25 +0000 UTC]

thankyou! again and again and again

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Seele-Zerkleinerungs In reply to ??? [2005-01-15 03:33:35 +0000 UTC]

i definately have to check this out soon. your vectors are awesome.

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flisk In reply to ??? [2005-01-10 15:10:25 +0000 UTC]

my god ! i didnt think there was that much to it if only i had found this when i started out in illustrator :S

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

flisk In reply to flisk [2005-01-10 15:10:48 +0000 UTC]

YOU BASTARD YOU OWE ME LIFE.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

versiani-vectors In reply to ??? [2005-01-01 14:27:10 +0000 UTC]

With this vector guide I learned vectorizing and started loving vector-art!!! Thank you so very much for this From the botton of my heart

Hehehe, this comment is far too gay already

Take care friend.

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DigiPixie [2004-12-31 23:13:39 +0000 UTC]

I just think it's grand when people share their knowledge/skills around...hats off to you. As for PS's vector capabilities...I learnt a helluva lot about the pen before I even opened Illustrator...PS is great! I will disagree with you about one thing though...I think one of the main problems people have with vectoring is using too many points & not getting a smooth path...I use absolute bare minimum....it's all about the handles.

Great job on the tut though...vectoring is a scary mystery to a lot of people & this tut will shed so much light on it for them.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

lemontea In reply to DigiPixie [2004-12-31 23:25:41 +0000 UTC]

You make a good point. I think I will mention that was well in a future update. I just know that I love doing manual curves and mixing straight lines and such. The style I do involves quite a bit more points that most people use, so I have maximum control on each section. I guess I failed to realize that a lot of people do the same thing, only not so fluidly.

Thanks for your input.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

DigiPixie In reply to lemontea [2005-01-01 00:22:59 +0000 UTC]

I think you have the greatest control from using directional points...& you can still mix straight paths with curved by mixing in handleless or corner points (click+drag+alt for independently directional handles...alt+click+drag for single handle)...fewer points keep file size down & curves much smoother. Look at a simple circle for example...it only requires 4 points...if you make one using numerous points without handles, there's no way it'd be anywhere near as smooth. Clicking point after point after point is a bit like using the polygon lasso...not so good if you want fluidity & absolute accuracy. Having said that, I appreciate everyone has their own personal techniques & yours is getting fantastic results, so I'm certainly not knocking it!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

lemontea In reply to DigiPixie [2005-01-01 03:49:49 +0000 UTC]

Oh, it's not that I don't use curves. I use them all the time. But, for cartoony work I mix detailed regions with hard edges to make for better contrast on the 100%, or so. It just depends on the mood, I suppose.

Though I understand what you're saying, I suppose it's just different approaches to the same end.

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neontao In reply to ??? [2004-12-31 18:03:42 +0000 UTC]

thanks for the insight!

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aneesah [2004-12-31 09:58:28 +0000 UTC]

Oooh, thanks for updating this! I'll go see what's new then!

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turp [2004-12-31 01:35:33 +0000 UTC]

ah, my favourite teacher

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

lemontea In reply to turp [2004-12-31 02:05:44 +0000 UTC]

Ah, my favourite student? You have far surpassed your teacher, if anything.

I wouldn't be surprised that after the new years that you will get a lot of comments and favourites.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

turp In reply to lemontea [2004-12-31 02:12:43 +0000 UTC]

Heh, a new year's wish?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

lemontea In reply to turp [2004-12-31 02:13:52 +0000 UTC]

Something like that. Except, I already made the wish and it was granted. Lined up and ready.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

turp In reply to lemontea [2004-12-31 02:20:56 +0000 UTC]

I'm just gonna...wait...and not get my hopes up for now...although I think(hope) I'll end up saying I love you a million times once this is over.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

object2bdestroyd In reply to ??? [2004-12-31 00:42:05 +0000 UTC]

Holy updates batman!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

overduegalaxy In reply to ??? [2004-12-30 22:27:33 +0000 UTC]

I should probably brush up on the pen-tool techniques. Maybe later tonight, I got some photo editing to do now.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Vector-Art In reply to ??? [2004-12-30 20:48:32 +0000 UTC]

Hope you don't mind but your Vector Guide has been added to the ~Vector-Art resources list.
Good work!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

JennyB In reply to ??? [2004-12-29 23:48:57 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

dwaggy In reply to ??? [2004-12-27 05:41:14 +0000 UTC]

bah, pesky lemontea! guess i'll download this then

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

KarlaDiazC In reply to ??? [2004-12-20 12:27:08 +0000 UTC]

woo thnk very much for the tutorial!!!
hahah just for casuallity I stop by here and found that, I'm lucky

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hyp3rated In reply to ??? [2004-12-20 05:41:13 +0000 UTC]

thanx so much best tutorial ive found i think

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juss In reply to ??? [2004-11-29 18:41:54 +0000 UTC]

hey thanks for this

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

gohanm17 In reply to ??? [2004-11-21 04:11:34 +0000 UTC]

i don't mind hosting it for you. i'd have to be back home for me to be able to upload it, but i'll see what i can do for the time being...

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minas In reply to ??? [2004-11-08 22:29:05 +0000 UTC]

thanks a million. I have been looking for a guide like this.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

arctic-ex In reply to ??? [2004-11-07 06:24:04 +0000 UTC]

hey thanx man I think vectoring my latest project in the making may help boost the quality

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Rykoss4 In reply to ??? [2004-11-03 16:48:31 +0000 UTC]

tooo much reading.. head gonna explode..lol By the way AWESOME TUT!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0


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