Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

rodicabruma · Joined: 24 Feb 2012 Posts: 2

Hello,
I'm newbie :) , and I don't understand a few thing here, I didn't find the answer in forum, so if you could help me please.

I don't understand why vectors and rasters are sold separated. On other stock sites, like depositphotos.com or fotolia.com, the buyer has the choice to buy on the same page: the vector file or the .jpg file. While here the contributor have to make the choice, either you upload as .eps+.jpg(preview), either as jpg.

So, my question is, why? :)
Are vectors selling better than rasters?
Or rasters are for a specific content?
Or it's better to put and vectors and rasters, and have all the content duplicated :)

And also, my 10 uploads are rasters, how do I convert them to vectors? I've tried to upload the eps file with the same name, but didn't work. Do I have to delete them and upload again the vector?

Thanks in advance!

darla · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 889

There is no way to convert rasters to vectors. You can use your rasters as a starting point for creating new vector versions of the illustrations, by tracing over them.

Vectors are a completely different kind of file. A raster tells your computer what color to display pixel by pixel. (red, red, red, orange, orange, yellow.... and so on for each pixel) A vector file gives your computer display instructions more like (start 10% north and draw a circle, fill that in with red) The result is a much smaller file that can be printed out at any size without loss of image quality.

You need specific software to make workable vectors. Many raster handling programs (such as photoshop) can import vectors, and use them as rasters, which gives the appearance that the program can create vectors. But, they can't. If you try to save a raster as eps, you'll just get a mess. Raster files are things like bmp, tif, jpg, gif, png

You can download Inkscape for free online, and create vectors with it. It's a pretty basic program, but you can get the idea of whether or not you want to spend money on proper vector software. It's a steep learning curve.

If you are trying to get your application in, use what you know. Just submit your jpg illustrations.

subarashii21 · Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 436 Location: Czech Republic

evaners · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:03 am

Part of the confusion might be that photo editing programs (PhotoShop, eg) can save raster images in an eps format. But these are not vector images, they are still rasters but saved in the eps format. Only vector software can create vector eps files.

subarashii21 · Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 436 Location: Czech Republic

Hey, but Ive just noticed you already have one vector in your portfolio :) That "Seamless colorful pattern". So you managed to upload it successfully and it got approved :) now do the same with the rest of your images.

rodicabruma · Joined: 24 Feb 2012 Posts: 2

darla · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 889

The way Shutterstock is set up, you have to have two files, one raster, and one vector, if you want to sell both.

It's weird, but every site has its quirks.

subarashii21 · Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 436 Location: Czech Republic

Dont delete anything, its fine as it is. The point of selling vectors and rasters separately is to bring you more money.

Some Shutterstock customers will not buy a vector because they dont have software for processing it. So they just buy a raster. By keeping both vectors and rasters in your portfolio, you can attract more customers and have more sales.

But you dont have to do it, if it bothers you, aesthetically... to have double images in your port :) its up to you.

cthoman · Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 304 Location: Austin, TX

It's a little funny to me how little time some of these agencies spend thinking about their illustrators. There seem to be a few agencies out there that vector files seem like some sort of shoddy bolt on feature.

Illustrations clearly sell well, but they could never be bothered to sell both the raster and vector files as one. It seems like something they should have fixed years ago. Especially since having the two files clutters up their database. It just makes me wonder.

mauijon · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 4279 Location: Maui, Hawaii

Once you get vector software, you could manually redraw your rasters as vectors. But do not auto-trace; SS won't take them.