File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hi, I have a question about making vectors: How to get such pointy ends of hair in Photoshop as on right part of picture? When I use "stroke path" command (center of the picture) all lines have constant width and thus ends of hair looks too fillet. "Simulate pressure" option makes width of lines variable, but looks not much better. Parts of lines become too thin.

(I'm not native English speaker, so sorry for mistakes. I hope, you can understand my variant of Engrish ;) ).
>> Anonymous
Photoshop really isn't good software for making vectors. For commercial software, try Adobe Illustrator. I use free software called Inkscape. They allow much finer control over paths.
>> Anonymous
>>168328
Anonymous really isn't a good source for information about vectors. For commercial software, use whatever you feel like. I type too much and say too little. Then search “vector tutorial”.
>> Anonymous
>>168340

He's already using whatever he feels like, and it's not working out. Either be helpful, or GTFO
>> Anonymous
Suggestion # 1>>168328
: Buy or steal several hundred dollar software or switch to open source application to do something the application already being used does.

Suggestion # 2>>168344
: Find tutorial for software you have.

Figure out what is actually more helpful and what is the typical nonsense reguritated from /w/.
>> Anonymous
draw the OUTLINEs of the ink, rather than drawing the CENTER-LINES of the ink. that way, you will never use stroke path, only fill path, and the lines will be as thick as the outlines you create for them. (yes, it's a pain in the ass)
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
You'll find that people do not really consider doing Stroke Paths as real or proper way doing vectors. They look inferior to properly done vectors, as the OP image you posted so aprtly illustrates. What you need to do is trace both sides of the line separately.

The image I've attached illustrates how I do to the job. You see both the vector lines and control points in the image. Basically, what I've done there is defined a vector shape whose borders align with the edges of the hair.

I have reduced opacity to 0% to give better view to the technique. Under normal circumstances, the insides of the trace would be filled black (or in this particular case, dark brown).

Doing a trace this way is slow work but in the end it produces a superior result. In tracing, time and effort put into work pretty much equals how good it will look.
>> Anonymous
http://www.virtualinfusion.net/showthread.php?t=348

bam
>> Anonymous
Use vector software like inkscape for your vector tracing. With it its a simple page up or page down with an element selected to move it up or down.
>> Anonymous
How different is making vectors in Illustrator and in Photoshop?
>> Anonymous
>>168410

Like cutting down a tree with a chainsaw instead of a jigsaw. Either will work, but the first is faster and easier.
>> Anonymous
>>168416

And what about Illustrator vs Inkskape?
>> Anonymous
>>168410
You use the exact same tools in the exact same way.

The canvas is displayed as a pure raster in Photoshop, zooming in shows you the virtual pixels. Whereas in illustrator the canvas is fixed and zooming in simply decreases your field of view.

A path is displayed exactly the same in both applications. However, paths ( more than one displayed at a time ) are given different colors in Illustrator streamlining the navigation process from path to path rather than path to layer to path as you do most the time in Photoshop. This is a significant difference that saves real time, not a bullshit the file opens faster therefore my application is superior fanboi fantasy.

The save as ( or export to ) options are different, notably, in Photoshop you do not have the option to save a vector as a vector in an alternate extension that not-Photoshop can render.

You might reach a maximum of five percent faster production with Illustrator if you are at an employable level in each application.
>> Blunt points Anonymous
To return to the topic at hand, if you order Photoshop to draw a path, it just simulates you manually drawing the line, hence, blunt points.
If you use a vector program, like Illustrator, or Inkscape, you can tell it to select a join style. Usually you can choose between miter, round and bevel. Round resembles Photoshop, miter yields sharp corners.
Especially when drawing hair, you may find that instead of a miter join, you get a bevel join (kind of a cut-off miter) - in that case increase the miter limit.
Last note: actually a miter join is displayed in a lot of software like a bevel join with a little triangle, or miter (hence the name), attached. So for a join between two curves, the outside edge of the stroke starts as a curve, continuously changes in a line, at the tip the line changes direction, and later continuously changes in a curve.
This may look ugly for very pointy joins, as you may well imagine. In that case a linked offset might come in handy.
If you want a variable stroke width, it's often best to draw the inside and outside of the "stroke" as seperate paths.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>168425

I've not used Illustrator in a few years, so I can't really compare the two. Try Inkscape first, and if you don't like it, go find a trial Illustrator. If desired, pay $$$$$ and continue.

Also, see attached image for simple lines vs filled shapes.
>> Anonymous
what the fuck is everyone on about? adobe illustrator cs2 torrents grow on trees
>> Anonymous
good illustrator inking tutorial

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/44024812/
>> Anonymous
you should be using shape layers to vector.. not stroking paths.
>> Anonymous
>>168380

I think it's a bit easier to draw the lines with stroke path, then convert them into shapes later, and re-adjust the width and points. Of course, different strokes for different folks.
>> Anonymous
OP is here. Thanks to all of you very much. :)
>> Blair Pendragon
well this is no help to u in photoshop, but personally, i do my inking by hand, and leave coloring to photoshop, in my opinion, thats rather faster :\