Author Topic: The New Vector Library (Read 8958 times)

mahuti · « **on:** February 24, 2004, 05:25:26 am »

Hey guys.

I've undertaken the task of setting up a new permanent vector library at my site.

You can find it here.

http://www.localarcade.com/4images

I think it's pretty self explanatory and easy to use. Since I've just set it up, I would appreciate it if you would message me with any comments, or corrections. There are still a few images I haven't uploaded, and I know some of you may want credit for your previous contributions.

Some features
1. Ability to upload EPS files, zip, pdf, and AI files, as well as standard jpg, gif files.

2. Lightbox functionality for multiple downloads in .zip format

3. User accounts

4. Multiple Admin Accounts

5. Search function

6. Easy upload functionality

Currently download is enabled for all visitors. Upload is also enabled for all guests with & without registration. If you register, updates should display immediately. If you upload as an unregistered guest, Zorg or I will have to approve the upload before it displays.

Improvements to come in the following weeks

1. Ability for Registered users to edit their files. (completed)

2. Improved interface. (completed. Some minor cosmetic changes may still happen in the future, but none are planned at this time)

3. Finishing "lightbox" functionality. (Completed)

4. Uploading the last bit of vector art that has been provided. (Completed)

I know everybody has been dying for the vector library to open back up. Hopefully this time it will have a little more permanence.

Thanks to Zorg for maintaining all of the files in the abscense of an automated solution. He also generated a few hundred thumbnails for the images currently stored on the site.

menace · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2004, 07:02:12 am »

That looks really great! good job on putting that all together--Its been so long since I've been able to view all the art that I forget how much work the folks here have done.

Magnet_Eye · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2004, 07:23:48 am »

nice work. can you make it categorized? by Marquees/Bezels/CPO/Cocktail CPO, etc?

That would be beneficial.

mahuti · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2004, 09:36:26 am »

That's been completed.

3dmacman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2004, 09:38:36 am »

if eps files automatically then I should upload eps files as well as ai ?

mahuti · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2004, 10:14:03 am »

If what you are asking is;

'Can I upload EPS files?' The answer is 'yes'

if you are asking;

'When I submit art, should I upload illustrator & eps files of the same file?' Personally I would say 'no'. Most of the files on the site are in illustrator format right now. If a user needs them in one format or the other, we can deal with that on a case-by-case basis. If the need for multiple filetypes (illustrator & EPS & cdr) is really necessary, I can mod the software to support it. However, with free tools for the conversion of AI to other formats & vice versa, I don't see why this is necessary.

tbombaci · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2004, 11:15:25 am »

Maybe the thumbnails should be uniform in size. Smaller to fit more on each page.

-tom

mahuti · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2004, 11:53:06 am »

You can choose to display up to 30 images on the page at one time.

I may look into redoing the thumbs anyway though. One problem with making them 'uniform' is that there is a different shape to each piece of art. Also, since users can upload thumbnails, it would be a daunting task for us to administer those uploads by reformatting thumbnails. We could just make the thumbs smaller, but I think it's good to have a good preview. Since the 'detail' page is actually shoing the thumbnail, I'd like to have them large enough to get some image detail. (i'm showing the thumbnail because the server software has trouble parsing EPS files for display)

Pete Harcoff · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2004, 11:58:55 am »

Suggestion: Get rid of the anti-right-click Javascript. It's bloody irritating (I tend to browse by right clicking to open links in new windows) and doesn't actually protect your files (and moreso, those files are NOT copyrighted by you, so it's a moot point).

All it does is annoy users.

mahuti · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2004, 12:09:06 pm »

The right click thing was built into the software. I have since removed it. Thanks for the input.

SirPeale · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2004, 12:25:12 pm »

Quote from: mahuti on February 24, 2004, 12:09:06 pm

Please keep in mind, this is installed PHP software. I make no claims to the art, and I did not build the functionality, just modded it So keep your requests nice.

I thought he did ask nicely. I have to agree, the whole right-click thing has to go.

Nannuu · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2004, 12:27:29 pm »

Excellent excellent! I'll post up some new stuff!!! Whew, I'm glad someone started a new site.

zorg · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2004, 12:59:20 pm »

I'm in the way of settings the right owner/contributor for art
if you have art file in the repository with a bad owner (eg mahuti)

please register to the repository and tell me either in private message or classic email the files you are the author.
best and easiest for me will be to have the url pointing to the file)

this way I can
1) create an account for you
2) give back the credit as it should

PS remember I'm in european time zone

it may induce some delays

enjoy

Frostillicus · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2004, 02:28:27 pm »

This is sweet. Great to see the library back! Thanks mahuti for doing this, we all appreciate it

I'm about to shoot you a PM, too.

machx0r · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2004, 07:04:52 pm »

Quote from: Pete Harcoff on February 24, 2004, 11:58:55 am

Suggestion: Get rid of the anti-right-click Javascript. It's bloody irritating (I tend to browse by right clicking to open links in new windows) and doesn't actually protect your files (and moreso, those files are NOT copyrighted by you, so it's a moot point).

All it does is annoy users.

If you are using IE (and some other browsers) you can hold down <SHIFT> while you click to open in a new window. Probably faster than right clicking unless it's one of those one handed browsing sessions

machx0r · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2004, 07:08:28 pm »

Quote from: mahuti on February 24, 2004, 12:09:06 pm

Some changes are trivial. Some aren't. I agree with the right click thing. I'll look into it.

You could remove the following from the pages source to remove the right click function:

Quote

function right(e) {
if (navigator.appName == 'Netscape' && (e.which == 2 || e.which == 3)) {
alert("

mahuti · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2004, 07:39:25 pm »

I do php too, I just haven't had time to take care of it.

Thanks for the info, though.

mahuti · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2004, 07:52:41 pm »

I took care of the 'right-clicking' issue.

BobbyG66 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2004, 08:02:06 pm »

YES! YES! YES!

This is just what we need!
Thanks for your work Mahuti!

Pete Harcoff · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2004, 08:38:22 pm »

Quote from: mahuti on February 24, 2004, 07:52:41 pm

I took care of the 'right-clicking' issue.

Excellent, thank you.

Now, to get back to vectorzing artwork...

CIA_Guy · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2004, 10:09:05 pm »

Quote from: mahuti on February 24, 2004, 10:14:03 am

However, with free tools for the conversion of AI to other formats & vice versa, I don't see why this is necessary.

I've been looking for a free/cheap tool for converting AI to something else (such as jpg)...can you point me at one of the tools?

Thanks!

mahuti · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2004, 11:08:50 pm »

Imagemagick with ghostscript

http://studio.imagemagick.org/pipermail/magick-users/2002-October/005757.html

'S a command line tool. For instance it's used in online galleries to resize images on the fly.

Nannuu · « **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2004, 11:43:42 pm »

I have some that are over 2 mb. I had converted from Coreldraw to eps then imported into AI. But when I save them as an ai file they are much larger than the cdr. I have very little experience with AI, is there a way to cut the file size down?

mahuti · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2004, 12:39:07 am »

Just .zip them an upload them as a .zip file. I can convert them if they need it.

With AI, you should make sure you don't have embedded images. You should also convert any fonts to outlines.

tbombaci · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2004, 01:34:53 am »

Why a 2mb limit?

-Tom

zorg · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2004, 02:43:31 am »

Quote from: tbombaci on February 25, 2004, 01:34:53 am

Why a 2mb limit?

let me guess, maybee I'm completly wrong

1) disk space
2) bandwith
3) cpu

with a 2mb limit you could have a huge detailled and omplex vectorial file

Nuttman · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2004, 08:35:04 am »

This is Fantastic! I'm so glad to see a library coming back online.

Great job, Mahuti!

One thought: Can you eventually provide an index by -Game Title-? I see a lot of posts here where people are asking for art for this game or that game. It would simplify finding artwork in these cases. I know you have a search function, but having an index lays it all out before you.

Again, just a thought.

Nannuu · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2004, 09:14:25 am »

Quote from: mahuti on February 25, 2004, 12:39:07 am

Just .zip them an upload them as a .zip file. I can convert them if they need it.

With AI, you should make sure you don't have embedded images. You should also convert any fonts to outlines.

Ok, I'll zip them then. There are no embedded images. The files are <100K as a Corel file but somehow blow up in the conversion. My guess is the gradient tones. Do the gradients get converted to bitmaps when the file is saved as an eps? If so, it may be more advantagous for me to fiddle with AI for a while so I can streamline my uploads and the quality of the submited AI files.

mahuti · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2004, 09:37:52 am »

Just upload one, and I'll take a look at it. Maybe I can give you some pointers after I see the file.

mahuti · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2004, 09:43:46 am »

Oh, and about indexing them by game. Right now they are indexed by type... marquee, bezel, etc. I thought about having them listed by game, but I found it more interesting to view the other way. It was something I initially considered. Maybe I can install a mod that will allow you to browse the list either way.

The search function is pretty good though, so I probably won't devote too much time to it if it isn't something simple.

tbombaci · « **Reply #30 on:** February 25, 2004, 10:18:06 am »

Quote from: Nannuu on February 25, 2004, 09:14:25 am

Quote from: mahuti on February 25, 2004, 12:39:07 am
Just .zip them an upload them as a .zip file. I can convert them if they need it.

With AI, you should make sure you don't have embedded images. You should also convert any fonts to outlines.
Ok, I'll zip them then. There are no embedded images. The files are <100K as a Corel file but somehow blow up in the conversion. My guess is the gradient tones. Do the gradients get converted to bitmaps when the file is saved as an eps? If so, it may be more advantagous for me to fiddle with AI for a while so I can streamline my uploads and the quality of the submited AI files.

When you export a CDR to an AI, every step of the gradient becomes a path with a billion nodes.

I tried to upload the Illustrator friendly Willaims Multigame CPO that Naannuu did (size to large) yesterday. However, I guess we have to zip up the art. I will up it when I get into work.

-Tom

zorg · « **Reply #31 on:** February 25, 2004, 10:55:57 am »

Quote from: Nuttman on February 25, 2004, 08:35:04 am

One thought: Can you eventually provide an index by -Game Title-? I see a lot of posts here where people are asking for art for this game or that game.

search using keywords and description
you can also check http://vectorlib.free.fr wich is a basic repository of vector art classified by game

mahuti · « **Reply #32 on:** February 25, 2004, 10:58:00 am »

The max file size is 10 mb.

BTW. I found a bug. Using the apostrophe (') in descriptions will screw the image display up sometimes. Not everytime. Just sometimes.

Nannuu · « **Reply #33 on:** February 25, 2004, 10:59:05 am »

Quote from: tbombaci on February 25, 2004, 10:18:06 am

Quote from: Nannuu on February 25, 2004, 09:14:25 am
Quote from: mahuti on February 25, 2004, 12:39:07 am
Just .zip them an upload them as a .zip file. I can convert them if they need it.

With AI, you should make sure you don't have embedded images. You should also convert any fonts to outlines.
Ok, I'll zip them then. There are no embedded images. The files are <100K as a Corel file but somehow blow up in the conversion. My guess is the gradient tones. Do the gradients get converted to bitmaps when the file is saved as an eps? If so, it may be more advantagous for me to fiddle with AI for a while so I can streamline my uploads and the quality of the submited AI files.

When you export a CDR to an AI, every step of the gradient becomes a path with a billion nodes.

I tried to upload the Illustrator friendly Willaims Multigame CPO that Naannuu did (size to large) yesterday. However, I guess we have to zip up the art. I will up it when I get into work.

-Tom

Awe poo. I suppose that would do it alright. I'll figure out how to do gradients in AI so that I can fix those before I upload them.
Thanks guys!

Harakiri · « **Reply #34 on:** February 25, 2004, 04:11:37 pm »

IMHO, there should be only one vector repository! But ok, go ahead and good luck, i'll try to help if i can!

mahuti · « **Reply #35 on:** February 25, 2004, 04:33:42 pm »

Quote

IMHO, there should be only one vector repository!

I agree. This is it.

I'm not duplicating the efforts of others. Mametrix was basically dead, and Zorg shouldn't have to do all of the maintenance & page generation by hand.

Quote

i'll try to help if i can!

Harakiri · « **Reply #36 on:** February 25, 2004, 05:18:48 pm »

I have a 1941 custom marquee in PSD! The file weights 26mb and i want to share it in your site! I only see one solution, compress the image to a BMP file!

What do you think!?

mahuti · « **Reply #37 on:** February 25, 2004, 06:09:53 pm »

compress as a .zip file so you can maintain the layers. OR if it doesn't need layers DEFINITELY save it as a .jpg with compression set to 70. (or whatever looks good.)

I'm considering posting (compressed) PSDs & Tiffs and other large non-vector files for download. Lets post yours for a start. Bandwidth isn't a major issue for me, but this is a free site so I just need to be careful.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #38 on:** February 25, 2004, 09:45:03 pm »

Upon clicking your link, I get this error message:

Parse error: parse error in /home/.baba/mahuti/localarcade.com/localarcade.com/4images/includes/template.php(133) : eval()'d code on line 123

Don't know if it's just me, or if there's a problem on the site....hope this is of help to you.

mahuti · « **Reply #39 on:** February 25, 2004, 09:47:34 pm »

I know exactly what it is. Minor hiccup. Try it again in a few minutes.


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