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VectorMagic...a free vector conversion program from a couple of grad students at Stanford has ended. The new website is vectormagic.com and you now have to pay via a token system...see the blog at their website for details. I guess as some point they are coming out with a stand alone version but nothing as to cost or date..
Thanks for the info - that's too bad their tool actually worked pretty good. Hopefully they will come up with a stand alone version if they want to be paid for it.
Thanks,
Dave
__________________ www.spreadingink.com - all over prints, jumbo and full color screen printing
that site sucked. Corel and Flexi work way better then that site did and when it's really tough there is only one place to go......... The Vector Doctor: Raster To Vector and Typesetting Services
Eric is fast and extemely resonable in price. Erik did a tutorial comparison on another forum using it and his conversion, HUGE difference!!!!
The are going to offer a desktop version. They said you can sign up for an update as to when. Also, the first 4 tokens are free if you sign up by.... March..... 4th????
You have to check that date. Also, the first $50 you spend on the site is able to be applied to the desktop version when available. That offer can end when they so desire it to.
I thought that site did a great job. I guess I'll have to look at these new links above.
Thanks all!
Oh, and they said they want to keep the online site available, too.
You only pay if you download the finished design in vector, you can upload and play for free still.
that site sucked. Corel and Flexi work way better then that site did and when it's really tough there is only one place to go......... The Vector Doctor: Raster To Vector and Typesetting Services
Eric is fast and extemely resonable in price. Erik did a tutorial comparison on another forum using it and his conversion, HUGE difference!!!!
Vector Magic is by leaps and bounds the best raster to vector tool I have ever used. Way better than Corel trace, AI or Flexi. I have all three and have tried at least five other sample programs off the net.
Simply posting a pic and saying see the diff. doesnt allow for vector cleanup and what went into the process.
For straight out color conversions on the fly and smooth vector work without cleanup VM is the bomb. I can do it in Flexi but it is time consuming. The program really stands out with low rez files and the results are very good.
To say the site sucked is a mistake and bad info. The bonus was that the program was free until Yest.
Just my op. but I have been creating and cleaning vector files for quite a while and when I found VM it floored me.
Vector Magic is by leaps and bounds the best raster to vector tool I have ever used. Way better than Corel trace, AI or Flexi. I have all three and have tried at least five other sample programs off the net.
Simply posting a pic and saying see the diff. doesnt allow for vector cleanup and what went into the process.
For straight out color conversions on the fly and smooth vector work without cleanup VM is the bomb. I can do it in Flexi but it is time consuming. The program really stands out with low rez files and the results are very good.
To say the site sucked is a mistake and bad info. The bonus was that the program was free until Yest.
Just my op. but I have been creating and cleaning vector files for quite a while and when I found VM it floored me.
Well, I'm not sure what version of those programs you have but my corel and flexi do a much better job then VM did. We tested it and with any trace, node editing is going to have to be done but my results were much better then VM. And Vector Doctor is someone who makes a living at file conversion and showing the difference between what VM. I do quite complex conversions and have great results, VM didn't do it any better IMHO. When I don't have time, Vector Doctor saves me money because time is money in my business.
I see the thumbnail link doesn't quite work. The first image is an orginal jpg and the other is the VM results. Sorry you can't see the comparison, don't know why is doesn't work
Ellen the image you posted any vector conversion tool could do. I really dont see that as complex. Like any software you need to get deep into the capabilities. I am sure the vector doctor does good work. He should because thats what he does for cash and he uses a program as well. Trace programs are as good as what is fed them. I like the cleanup tools in Flexi and the trace tools of Corel. I personally like VM for complex color selection and rendering. Again...I have used them all for simple images to complex. If it doesnt work for you I understand...just go ahead and pay someone to do your work. I will purchase the program when it becomes available because I know its capabilities.
Look at the type in my example from a low res. jpeg. Now look back at your example. Do you really think that example from the doctor is factual. Also he has done some cleanup and in my example I havent rendered a thing. Again...saying the site or program sux especially since you farm out your vector work isnt understanding the capabilities of the tool. If thats your understanding fine...no harm no foul. Why would someone who understands the software need to farm out anything?
Ellen the image you posted any vector conversion tool could do. I really dont see that as complex. Like any software you need to get deep into the capabilities. I am sure the vector doctor does good work. He should because thats what he does for cash and he uses a program as well. Trace programs are as good as what is fed them. I like the cleanup tools in Flexi and the trace tools of Corel. I personally like VM for complex color selection and rendering. Again...I have used them all for simple images to complex. If it doesnt work for you I understand...just go ahead and pay someone to do your work. I will purchase the program when it becomes available because I know its capabilities.
Look at the type in my example from a low res. jpeg. Now look back at your example. Do you really think that example from the doctor is factual. Also he has done some cleanup and in my example I havent rendered a thing. Again...saying the site or program sux especially since you farm out your vector work isnt understanding the capabilities of the tool. If thats your understanding fine...no harm no foul. Why would someone who understands the software need to farm out anything?
If you read my post completely, you would understand that I do my own vectorizing unless I have so much on my job board that I simply don't have time. I use Eric when this is the case. He saves me TIME which is MONEY on complex pieces when I am swamped because he will also finish the node editing and all I have to do is produce the piece. I understand my software and get great results on my own. I personally don't see any advantage to VM for me. That is what I said. It was IMHO!
Vector Magic is the best auto trace program that I have seen. I have used every single version of Corel since V3., I used several versions of Streamline, and Euro vector. None of them did as good a job as VM. I think the program rocks and I'll buy it as soon as it is available.
I did read your post and looked at your examples. I am happy that your plate is full and you find no need for VM. You are simply wrong to state the program sux because it doesnt work for you. The program works well if you understand its capabilities and or limitations as with any vector trace program. The nice thing was that it was free for folks to use if they dont have heavy budgets for Flexi or Corel etc. It was a free tool that does a great job. No hard feelings and relax with the time is money thing. Just because you see no advantage to a program doesnt mean it sux for everyone else. It doesnt suck for me and I own the high dollar programs. A good tool and I hate to see its free use wander away.
I agree with David.....I have SmartVector Pro, Canvas and Imagaro Z Pro. VM was just as good...maybe some of us do not have the ability of Air Art Girl but for most...let me repeat most ...VM was a good service.
I will say...while i do not always use VM for every project, it is an amazing program and was only a matter of time until they started charging for it....and rightly so! I wish them the best of luck and I'm sure they will do well with this program!
No More Free VectorMagic 
