Video for all Vector Cartoonists

[Albacore]

Here is a great technique in Illustrator which could be used by all vector apps. The movie shows how to give a hand trace object that hand drawn look we sometimes want. At the moment the site has exceeded the bandwidth so try tomorrow: http://www.warking.com/Cartoon_Line_work.mov

[handrawn]

Hi Albacore

That's a good link thanks - I found that very interesting, it certainly made the lines of the Bambi trace look better to me, and it looks straightforward enough in Illustrator.

[handrawn]

Works in xara too - after converting [curved] line to shape

[handrawn]

This seems to work quite with xara - attached is a quick test I did having converted curved line to shape - its by no means finished.
Need a lot of practice at this vector drawing, and this will encourage me I think.

Works even better for me in inkscape [convert line to path], as I find the xara curve handles so darn hard to see - they are just too small.

[MarkMyWords]

Yes, thanks for that steve.

I have no problem with this technique in Xtreme, I tend to simply drag the edge, or place a node where I need to make a point, rather than fiddle with the handles.

It is a much quicker technique than drawing both an outline and an interior shape, but still, not as fast and easy as a floodfill. Can't have evrything LOL!

[handrawn]

Yes, thanks for that steve.

I have no problem with this technique in Xtreme, I tend to simply drag the edge, or place a node where I need to make a point, rather than fiddle with the handles.

It is a much quicker technique than drawing both an outline and an interior shape, but still, not as fast and easy as a floodfill. Can't have evrything LOL!

Yeh right of course and isn't that the way Bob Hahn does it and he should know!
I'm just a beginner in this - thought I'd do the video tutorial 'the text book way' for the practice. I need the practice.

Ah well back now to my mapping pens...... oh yes and floodfills too

[Albacore]

I just thought that technique could be used by all vector programmes. I got bored half through the video as it was too long just showing the same moves with the same technique. Steve it is nice to see you trying the technique which is more than I have done!

[alanstancliff]

I have tried to see this for several days but have gotten the band-width exceeded error message. Just now, it seems to be gone. I hope I will be able to see it later.

[handrawn]

I have tried to see this for several days but have gotten the band-width exceeded error message. Just now, it seems to be gone. I hope I will be able to see it later.

Hi Alan - hows things?

The tutorial is illustrator specific. The important point in illustrator as I understand it is to have outlines on both sides of the stroke.
I reckon the principles are applicable across the board in vector as Albacore says - the equivalent in xara being convert line to shape [convert line to path in inkscape].
Essentially its just shaping the lines, to alter weight and give sweeps to a point, using the bezier handles [curve handles in xara].
As has also been pointed out it is an established technique for many users of xara/inkscape in other ways if not this one.

Attached a quick example

[alanstancliff]

Thanks Steve,

I'm sure you squeezed every possible drop out of this mangelwurzel with your explanation.

I appreciate your having gone to the trouble.