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  • Best (basic) process for digitalizing hand-drawn work

    #1
    Starting to to more hand drawn work in several different areas from logos, to typography.

    I've always worked with vectors and I like everything to be vectors (just how I design).

    For you guys, if you hand drew a design or a font, would you just scan it in the trace it out with the pen tool, etc?

    I can never get good results with image trace even if an image is a sold black mass (always gets rounded and sharp edges everywhere)

    I appreciate any info! Sorry if this is a vaque question
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  • #2
    Not vague at all. Sometimes you can get kind of close with live trace, but never close enough as far as I'm concerned. So, yes, I trace my drawings or sketches. Illustrator has some nice brushes that vary line weight, so it still feels hand-drawn and not just vector shapes.

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    • #3
      If I'm not using live trace (it has it's uses, though limited) I do a very basic pen/pencil sketch as a rough guide, then scan and redraw it all properly in vector. Avoid perfecting the sketch too much as you can perfect until the cows come home when you have the points done in vector. Think of your sketch more like a logo's stick figure version.

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      • #4
        Thanks guys!

        Just wanted to make sure that was how people did it before I went crazy

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        • #5
          For logo and precise work, pen tool is the best. For other less precise work, look into getting a cheap graphics tablet and using the pencil tool. It's very fluid.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Dr.McNinja View Post
            For logo and precise work, pen tool is the best. For other less precise work, look into getting a cheap graphics tablet and using the pencil tool. It's very fluid.
            I've had tablets in the past and for some reason I just can't get the hang of it. Much more comfortable working directly in illustrator or hand-drawing and scanning.

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            • #7
              I prefer the pen tool and the mouse, guess I can't used to the tablets either...

              Hand draw, scan, pen tool - done.

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              • #8
                There are many different uses for a tablet.

                It's not so much about drawing or hand skills. The pencil tool lets you continue a path on the fly, letting you fix and adjust as much as you need without ever clicking. I highly recommend trying this even if you have used a tablet before (but haven't used it with the pencil tool).

                When using a tablet, I often go back to mouse for certain tools including the pen tool for more precise pathing. Pathfinder can merge it with the hand drawn path and you continue on your merry way.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Dr.McNinja View Post
                  There are many different uses for a tablet.

                  It's not so much about drawing or hand skills. The pencil tool lets you continue a path on the fly, letting you fix and adjust as much as you need without ever clicking. I highly recommend trying this even if you have used a tablet before (but haven't used it with the pencil tool).

                  When using a tablet, I often go back to mouse for certain tools including the pen tool for more precise pathing. Pathfinder can merge it with the hand drawn path and you continue on your merry way.
                  I've used the pencil tool on tablets before...I dunno...it just doesn't translate anywhere close to real drawing to me. I don't know why.

                  I wish I could like them though because you're right, making paths is a lot easier...I just never get what I want so it ends up being more time consuming in the end.

                  I don't like the pen tool that much either haha...but that's what I'm familiar with

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                  • #10
                    I'm also wondering how people get that vintage or hand done look...especially with type.
                    I know a lot of this stuff is vector...but how? No way people are doing all these nuances with the pen tool..
                    Here's an example: (would this be done with a tablet? Textures?)

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                    • #11
                      ^^I don't think that sample is vector. It looks like a low res scan or print.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Buda View Post
                        ^^I don't think that sample is vector. It looks like a low res scan or print.
                        Ya..that was probably a bad example.
                        Couldn't find something right away to explain.

                        I just mean similar things like that...with a completely hand written feel...that is obviously a vector (whether it be incorporating textures, wavy lines, the look of a pen, etc).

                        How could you possible do that with live trace, the pen tool, or a tablet?

                        I'll try to find a better example

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                        • #13
                          Do you mean like this lettering by Jessica Hische?



                          It's sketched out in pencil, then done in Illustrator with the pen tool.

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                          • #14
                            Most good work like this is done physically by hand first.

                            Then it's down to technical skill in illustrator or similar.

                            It might seem tedious having to use pen tool for every single line on both sides, but it's nothing compared to technical illustrations with hundreds of thousands of paths.

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                            • #15
                              Is there anything wrong with using the Width Tool for something like the example Buda posted?

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