vector vs. raster: submission to mamemarquees

[TheShanMan]

I'm working on some vector artwork to get printed as a CPO by mamemarquees soon using Inkscape. Part of what I'm doing I believe will be easier done in a raster app, so this got me wondering. Other than smaller file size, is there any advantage to sending him an .ai vector file rather than a 300 dpi raster image (he says no benefit to going with a higher resolution so that's why I say 300)? Even if subtle, is there a difference in output quality? If so I may stick entirely with vector, but if not it would be nice to have the option to switch to raster if that proves easier.

[bvicarious]

I've noticed on some large format printers that I've used, vector lines seemed to print out crisper than their supposedly equal dpi raster counterparts. On regular printers, not so much. Probably has to do with the size it printed at, or maybe it has something to do with the RIP engine in the large format printer, but it wasn't a very noticeable difference anyway. Maybe you can do a portion of it in vector and have the guy print a side by side comparison? If the image is easier to do in raster, I'd just go with that. Especially if you don't plan on changing the image later or using parts of the image blown up for the side art or anything like that, I don't know of any other advantage.

[waveryder]

I've noticed on some large format printers that I've used, vector lines seemed to print out crisper than their supposedly equal dpi raster counterparts.

I think this is probably due more to the limited palette of vector images rather than the format. Depending on the printer high color artwork can produce some noticeable bleeds between shades of color. On cheap large format printers anti aliasing can look absolutely awful!

Personally I prefer working with raster images however if your reproducing a simple image like a classic piece of sideart or logo go with vector. A good rule of thumb is simple images should be vectored, complicated high color images should be raster. Most of the "nextgen" artwork that is appearing on peoples home build cabs is so complex that trying to vector it is just insane and will not give good results. My £0.02

[TheShanMan]

Waveryder, it's not a question of should I work with vector graphics or raster, it's a question of whether one format is better than the other when printed on a CPO. I am working with vector graphics right now, but once I am finished with the main objects, there are parts that may be more easily done as raster. If there is no benefit to sending a vector image, then it makes that decision easier.

[NinjaEpisode]

You should ask Scott over at MameMarquees.  He's probably printed hundreds if not thousands of graphics by now and can easily tell you what works better.

My artwork was all vector and it came out nice and crisp.  I would imagine, unless you're rasterizing in actual size, the graphics will not be up to par.

[waveryder]

I would imagine, unless you're rasterizing in actual size, the graphics will not be up to par.

Size isn't as important as you might think (Well thats what she said  ) The issue is DPI. "Actual size" is a baloon term. A 20"x20" image at 150dpi isnt the same as a 20"x20" image at 300dpi. Raster artwork has a far superior print output than vector due to its high color at 300dpi. The only problem is how many people can actually work on an image of that size, The piece i'm working on at the moment is 17100X17100 pixels try creating that in Pshop and watch the computer slow down to a crawl!

[bvicarious]

Is the art something that can be reproduced easily with gradient meshes? That would sure rival a raster reproduction at any size.

[southpaw13]

I send him all my stuff at 400 DPI and they look great when printed....

[TheShanMan]

I send him all my stuff at 400 DPI and they look great when printed....

Why did you choose 400 even though he says anything above 300 dpi is unnecessary?

[southpaw13]

I always do a little overkill....

Still looks great...

[Jdurg]

I would imagine, unless you're rasterizing in actual size, the graphics will not be up to par.

Size isn't as important as you might think (Well thats what she said  ) The issue is DPI. "Actual size" is a baloon term. A 20"x20" image at 150dpi isnt the same as a 20"x20" image at 300dpi. Raster artwork has a far superior print output than vector due to its high color at 300dpi. The only problem is how many people can actually work on an image of that size, The piece i'm working on at the moment is 17100X17100 pixels try creating that in Pshop and watch the computer slow down to a crawl!

Heh.  I did my CP overlay in 300 dpi using Photoshop CS3.  The size of the panel was 18" deep by 38" wide, I believe.  It was a pretty massive file but my 4 GB RAM setup on Vista with a Core2Duo worked wonders.  I went to Staples to have them print it out and the overlay cameout phenomenal.  Just like I hoped it would.

For CP and Marquee art, I think using raster images in Photoshop will work, but for side art I don't think a raster image would be a good idea.

[zorg]

 

does most of you understand the differences, pros and cons regarding vector vs raster ?? 

it is not just theory, it depends on the kind of image you want to deal with

A good rule of thumb is simple images should be vectored, complicated high color images should be raster.

and finaly it depends on the tool you are used to work with

[bvicarious]

I think everyone here understands the differences, zorg. The OP was asking if there is any down side to sending a raster image to the printer besides file size and other obvious issues. It was a technical question more than it was a process question. I for one noted that a vector line can look crisper than a raster line at ideal resolution.

Anyway, TheShanMan- there's also the option of doing whatever you can in vector, doing the rest in raster, then laying that image underneath the vectors in inkscape. That way you'd get crisp lines without having to vectorize an image that you don't really have to.

btw is the CPO your own design or from an existing arcade?

[TheShanMan]

Interesting suggestion, bvicarious - it didn't occur to me that I could do that. I'm almost at the point where I need to make the decision (probably tonight), so I'll definitely consider that.

My CPO is a modification of an existing localarcade design. It's based on the "2 player centipede" one, which I've modified to fit my swappable panel layout. My cabinet is a centipede and the side art and marquee are in great shape, so I of course wanted to stick with the centipede theme (my mala layout has a centipede theme too, as do my boot graphic and windows wallpaper).

[zorg]

The OP was asking if there is any down side to sending a raster image to the printer besides file size and other obvious issues. It was a technical question more than it was a process question.

you don't have to care about the format if the printer knows his work and material he will do the job.

you have to care about, resolution if you go the raster way and in both cases colors and size