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Quasdar — Vector Guide #1: High quality pony vectors
Published: 2012-05-13 06:31:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 72742; Favourites: 1295; Downloads: 5392
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Description
Time: 3.5 hoursMade with Inkscape.
Vectors used:
The Date by
*HalfDeathShadow
Blanket Woona by
*Mamandil
Part two: Nodes and outlines
Part three: Landscapes and special effects
This also works for vectors made from other drawings or your own sketches. Frames from the show are used as an example because that's what most people do. Using the show as a reference or looking at other vectors from the show is a great way to learn.
Discussion posts- r/mylittlepony and r/mlpvectors
This is a tutorial for people interested in making fan art that looks exactly like the show, so please feel free to ignore it if you have no interest in that. I'm not going to try to convince you to watch ponies, I submitted this only to pony groups.
Links:
* Inkscape .
* Tutorials folder .
* Inkscape vs. Illustrator CS6 edge quality
* Hotkeys in Inkscape
* Where to find 1080p episodes
* Paint.NET , an excellent, lightweight raster editor
* Color guide
* Eye tutorial
* Benefits of posting vector files
* Time lapse vector creation video
* #MLP-VectorClub
Updated Oct. 9 2012. Overhauled a lot of the wording, added some new images, fixed the slightly blurred images. And if you didn't see it already, there is now a part two to this that goes over how to make outlines and use nodes.
Related content
Comments: 241
so, I want to eventually try to get show accurate vectors into flash. However using the vectors here wouldn't work because I need the layering to work with. So since I have yet to buy programs yet,(using school computers which have the adobe CS6 suite), I want to know how I might go about doing this. Should I go into flash and just suck it up, or does inkscape export to filetypes that keep layers, while being vectors still that flash can understand? I'd be nice to just save me the hassle of doing it myself since I only don't own the adobe programs to test it myself, I need to be in class, and I work on stuff in class...Thanks for any assistance you can give. This will help me develop my skills faster.
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Good question, compatibility between the different programs is tricky.
There are some puppet rigs for Flash available for five of the mane six you should check out here [link]
Take a given SVG, open it in Inkscape and resave it as a Plain SVG. Then open it in Illustrator and Save As FXG. Then open that in Flash and see if it made it through the conversion process in one piece. It's likely there will be a few issues with it, and some elements may need to be redrawn as parts might be missing, look messed up, or be rasterized. Effects that function differently between Inkscape and Illustrator often break if you try to open them in the other program. But you can in many cases at least get it to partially transfer over. Unfortunately layers are one of the first things to get lost in conversions, you'll probably have to redo those yourself.
I just went and tested a bunch of files and by saving them as Plain SVGs in Inkscape, then opening them in Illustrator CS6 and resaving them as FXGs. I was able to open most of the data from the vectors in Flash CS5.5 without too much issue.
Plain SVGs did better in my tests than 'Inkscape SVG'. Here's an Inkscape SVG (source ) in Illustrator [link] vs. a Plain SVG [link] . The latter is much better, but not quite the same as the original. I see there's a lot of blue around the shadows when it's opened outside of Inkscape.
The results from saving this vector as Plain/Inkscape SVG were the same [link] - the only thing that looks to have bugged out in both of them is the clipping on the lines in the large tree on the far right side. Some are sticking out past the edge where they shouldn't be. The rest looks fine, though it might not all be properly editable.
This vector looks good in Illustrator except for the gradients over the volcano. As an Inkscape SVG they lost their gradient [link] and as a Plain SVG they disappeared completely.
They all looked about the same when saved as FXGs and opened in Flash. [link] [link] [link] except the clipping in some of the grass in the orchard which broke at that step, and the lines on the tree got much worse. The shading in the Pinkie vector was rasterized, as well as one of the clouds in the vector with the volcano. Another cloud in the top right of that vector broke too.
I also tested saving them as AIs in Illustrator, and I couldn't get any of those to import to Flash at all, I just got a blank canvas. So FXG is definitely the way to go.
If you'd like to mess with those files for yourself I've uploaded them here .
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wow thanks for makin this it really shows how you can take a next step
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One question... The caps of my lines aren't getting pointy for some reason. The only options I have are the "butt cap", "round cap", and "square cap" I set up the miter limit and everything, and the join is set up as "miter join" but still no luck. Please help?
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Here's a pic with some examples [link] and the original SVG [link]
At the top is a simple path with constant width and only two node handles. You can convert that to a filled object and it will look like the middle object there, or simply outline the stroke and adjust the node handles to create the sharp ends, like the bottom object with its four node handles.
If you convert paths to objects you'll have to delete a lot of the extra nodes it makes so your lines come out smooth. [link] [link] I go for outlines because they're much faster for everything but the lines in the hair. Here's a video of my process to give you an idea [link]
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Thanks! I wanted to be able to draw decent MLP for ages, and was recommended this page. I have honestly got no drawing talent, but I have determination and I think that that the Dr Whooves vector I just finished was pretty good. I'll uplode it when my computer stops being stupid, any reason why it's saving in the bottom of the screen?
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[link] Finished it! Although I still don't think that it's good!
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why! why must i be cursed with no motivation. i would want to do this so bad.
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I love you... Maybe not that strong but I made this [link] and working on this [link] Thanks to your tutorial and finding inkscape. whoopee hoary ETC
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Thanks! I've been using the GIMP path tool, and haven't gotten around to using a real vector program because of indecision and the one I finally decided on - couldn't find the link to get it.
Thanks for linking inkscape!
Installing now!
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This is awesome! Thanks for putting up such an easy-to-follow guide for doing vector-based Pony art!
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... and now I know why background ponies get constantly reused over and over again! My respect for animators/artists have now quadrupled.
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Nice tutorial. but I have a question, when i re colour on Paint.net, I set the tolerance so it stays in the lines, but sometimes, i get a few or a bunch of pixels that keep the previous colour of the vector. What's the best way to fix it?
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All changes to the coloring should be done in Inkscape itself, and then all the edges will look right. Open up the Fill and Stroke dialog box with Ctrl-Shift-F, select the object you want to recolor and then change the values under the Fill tab, and for strokes the Stroke Paint tab.
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Oh, that solves one problem, my next is getting all the lines smooth and sharp and such.
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That was helpful enough for me! I feel ashamed because I never knew about the .svg format before. But I think that 6k+ for PNGs is unnaturally enormous. Or is it?
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Nah, it's good to release them as large as you can so anyone can shrink or crop it to the size they want, without having to own or use a vector program. And since photoshop and illustrator cost hundreds of dollars, it's important a good PNG copy is available. They can all export huge pretty easily too [link] especially Inkscape.
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Very nice tutorial you made here! This is not only helpful for Pony vectors, but for Inkscape as well.
The links in the description are also a nice added touch for a quick reference.
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waitwaitwaitwait... so people actually use a special program to make vectors? All this time I've been wondering how in Celestia's name you people make your lines so perfectly straight! And all this time I've been wasting my time on Photoshop...
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That is pretty tragic. I recommend Inkscape, it's free and functional!
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Indeed it is. And okay, thanks! I'll check it out!
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Nice tutorial! One thing I disagree on though, is converting strokes to objects.
When converting a stroke, the added nodes won't matter, as the object stays the same as the stroke. Also, with versions of Illustrator below CS6, you're unable to give strokes a gradient. By making them an object after you're done, you're able to make it look like a stroke with a gradient.
It could give problems if the artist doesn't mind if people edit the vector file though, as changing a stroke is much easier than changing a collection of nodes looking like a stroke 
Other than that, nice job on it, and thanks for the tips
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Here's a visual of what I'm talking about in inkscape- [link] [link]
The line tapers are never very accurate and are much too bulgy, and converting them to an object changes the shape in a big way. A lot of new vector artists try to draw everything with one line instead of outlining them, and turning them to an object sort of works, but it's better to just do everything manually than have it create so many nodes. Even paths with smooth nodes in them get far too many and become wobbly.
Glad you liked it
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Hey, great tutorial, I am just starting doing vectors and working in inkscape ~and while I don't totally understand everything in this~ it does answer some of the frustrations I have from switching from OC XD and yay ponies =3
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Good tutorial but I still think that is being very biased by wanting the vectors to be exactly like the show. I mean where is the fun in that Doing all the same style, tracing, and doing the exact style of the show is rather....well boring...and not everyone can vector that way and not really fair to not let them join. But sorry, that's really just in my own opinion. And again, great vectoring tutorial.
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This is a guide to make them accurate to the show, we also accept things done differently but not when the differences are unintentional.
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Well that's not what I've been hearing about/seeing on the critiques on the possible. Also, That's not what I read on the rules and regulations.
"If we can see clear errors such as these in your work we will tell you about it. Most vector artists require a good amount of practice before their work is drawn accurately to the show. However, rather than take the effortless route and deny submissions with no comment, or accept things with issues, we explain all the rough parts and how to improve them to match our requirements under Submission Rules. r/MLPvectors on Reddit is another great community for vectors that specializes in helping newcomers."
Just thinking about the requirements and what your saying seems different. In the group its asking for it to be close to or pretty much Exactly like the Television show. Saying that you accept art that is done differently is untrue not just by the requirements but also but what other admins have told me and other fellow deviants who were either, not allowed to join because their art was not "Good Quality" when looking at it is perfectly fine just not the same style as the My little pony style and or not a traced image. Which in my opinion should not even be considered art and judged because its tracing seriously.
I can understand the want for good quality artwork and to help others improve theirs but to want them to have their vector the exact same or very close to the show, as you say, really loses creativity in the group. People might eventually get tired of seeing the same exact thing.
But as you this is my own personal Opinion and I'm not demanding the group to change,I know it's not my place, but I would say to be more lenient on the requirements of the group as a helpful suggestion. Being so strict can and might just make people, like many others already, unwilling to join. Again, this is just my opinion and suggestion.
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Most people are tracing from the show, and they want it to be completely accurate. That's where we're coming from when judging its quality. Look at this folder. [link]
There are other vector groups with no quality requirements. To give everyone the best gallery to work with we go to great lengths to help people improve their quality.
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Ok ok, but like I said It was just a suggestion that's all
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WOW!
A superb tutorial.
HOWEVER, one tiny hiccup (for me)...I have Illustrator CS2 and CS3 for the Photoshop.
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This is an excellent reference!
In VLC, you can save a screenshot by going to Video > Take Snapshot. It grabs the source frame, so you'll get an e.g. 1920x1080 image even if your screen resolution isn't that large (and so you can't take a 1920x1080 screenshot with Print Screen).
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Do you know a safe free program I could use to download youtube videos? It would help with vectoring and other things im planning on
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If you have Firefox, try looking at the DownloadHelper extension.
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DVDFreevideosoft is pretty awesome
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Keepvid would do it. You'll get a better image from here for the episodes, because they haven't been compressed by youtube.
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Wow, I love this. The miter limit!!! Woo hoo! Thanks, that will save me a lot of stroke to path on the hair and tails! And good tip on where to set the curve handles on eyelashes. I love Inkscape and I wish I could use it at work.
As far as the people criticizing traces, I eye copy or do originals myself, but the first few I did were traces and you have to start somewhere. And this is a technical reference, not a guide for the proper way to design your artwork. Tracing is obviously not art, and you never made that assertion. It is a tool in developing technique, however, just like copying a famous work is a tool for developing an art student's technique.
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Tracing and referencing are not the same thing.
And front page? deviantART, you disappoint.
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How to make (AWESOME) MLP vectors: Trace the shit out of a screenshot, don't forget to make every line EXACTLY the same, or your vector will look TERRIBLE!
As a matter of fact, you should also try tracing bodies for your OC's, backgrounds, and clothes to get everything PERFECT, because actually FREEHANDING work looks TERRIBLE, never EVER try that.
Have fun vectoring, and don't worry, your work will get the front page, because EVERYONE loves traced pony pictures!
Alright, I'm finished.
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i agree with wolf-walrus there wow you boiled down all these programs limitations and how to use nodes quite well thanx a ton.
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