Any update as to a winner or when a decision will be made? Thanks!

P1Guy, No they won't have a problem with print, seeing that inkscape can also export in Eps / Emf / Svg - Those vector formats are compatible with adobe illustrator & other major vector softwares, what's Not compatible is the effects. As long as the vector is 100% Points/paths it will convert with no problems to other vector formats for compatibility with nearly Any software used by a print company.

Droz37, the px statement was just an example, I'm a Vector designer that works in Paths/Points, I thought I made that clear. I also made it rather clear that one CAN'T retain clarity when upscaling, so you simply repeated what i already said. Thanks for supporting my statement further though :)

ulahts: I agree with what you said, I too have been working at a large print shop for several years now and what you say is true, yet, there is one thing that you forgot to mention and that is that Illustrator gradients are never as good as Photoshop gradients for printing purposes.
although they look fine on screen they can cause problems for print shops.

scorpionagency: you should never scale something up from 300px to 1500px because it will never work and you shouldn't even consider doing that, that is why you work with a master file that you can save as a Tiff at any resolution ( no less than 150 PPI/DPI - 300 is ideal ).
and working in pixels is not the best way to work when dealing with print since everything else is measured in a different unit of measurement.

you would never hear someone talking aout a poster that is 28800px by 43200px.
hope that helps.

Oh and just so you know Corel can open eps files with no problems. IF you want to chat more about this do it in private message so not to clog the thread.

No your right scorpionagency, there are complex fills that will not work when trasfered from Corel to Adobe, and I would imagine that applies to inkscape as well.

It seems that most print shops ask for adobe illustrator format. And I sometimes will rework the design in Illustrator to make sure that the customer gets what he saw here, and won't run into problems later.

Also I don't know of too many print shops that use inkscape. So if you sell a customer a logo, made in inkscape, will they have a problem having it printed by the local print shop?

Don't take this the wrong way, as I am not knocking inkscape but rather asking if it will become a problem when the contest holder cannot find someone that can use that extension to print from?

Most programs don't comunicate with each other, and Corel is making strides as the users keep asking for more compatibility, which they seem to have given us in CorelDraw X4.

Anyway this space should really be used to comment on the contest at hand, so on with the show.

The contest holder should be able to find this information out in some sort of thread here. Maybe Ulahts can as a mentor suggest that a refrence be set up for the contest holders.

Regards,
Mike aka P1Guy

sorry if that last post came off a bit harsh, I just don't understand how some can think that just because something is upscalable in their own software means it's upscalable in all softwares. I guess I was arguing more on a software compatibility end than anything.

I apologize to everyone on the thread & the CH.

umm, of course an object created by illustrator will upscale using illustrator. Now export that gradient & 3d filled design into .wmf / eps / svg <<~~~ your choice, then open the exported vector in inkscape or another vector software. I guarantee you don't retain all those effects.

I worked in a print shop as well for while & had to do cmyk tweaks to designs in order to retain proper color blends. The issue isn't just about print, I can print a /jpg just fine. It was about keeping all quality when UPSCALING. now if you can show me a .jpg / .png / .gif / or any other rendered image that can upscale from 300px to 1500px with out losing quality, then I would love to see it.

the comon misconception most have (& apparently you to) is that just because you can upscale it in the same software you created it in does NOT mean it's upscalablility is compatible outside the software.

Again, .AI is a Software extension, just like .Psd is a photo shop extension, .Dpa is a drawplus animation extension, etc.. etc.. I can take illustrator or serifs drawplus x2 (Both vector softwares) add gradents, bevels & other effects, export both into a VECTOR FORMAT (eps /emf /wmf) import both to inkscape (Another VECTOR software) & ALL effects will be lost.

You should try it sometime.

Nice to see people offering help on 99Designs. I would always suggest to have a vector design when needing embroidery done. Gradients don't really work well in embroidery, and yes they can make gradients by using more thread colors to achieve the look but it will be much more expensive. Good luck in your contest, and if you need to know just ask as someone will usually steer you in the right direction. :)

@ Ulahts.....Chap, you know your stuff, I know where to come when I have a query now! thanks ;)

@scorpionagency, gradients, bevels used in vector formats will keep proportions when printing.
Once again, what you are stating is right in some circumstances.
I worked too many years in a printing house to let this the way it is now. I know all about vector, my pillow has a photoshop logo on it.
Please, gradients, bevels keep their proportions on ripping machines - when printing to plates in full color proccess, means CMYK.
3D effects, believe me, look into my portfolio, you will see quite a few of them, nobody - i repeat, nobody complained about anything when printing, more, some logos contains gradients and 3D effects.
FYI try to expand your objects when you use the 3D filter in Illo. You will obtain quite some results, ALL resizeable VECTOR. :D

Diane, please PM me, i can explain easyly what is Illustrator, what is PostScript, what is Photoshop and when they cause and how they cause problems.

P.S. I can show some Photoshops in 1inch x 1inch at 96 DPI printed on SERIA3 or larger with no quality loss. :D That's to tease you a little bit. :)

ulahts
Community Mentor

hmmm, not me

Oh, that last post was for P1Guy, but I see he removed his comment that this was a reply for. :(

The only gradient that retains all it's points & paths that I am aware of is a "Mesh Gradient" Also an additional Plugin for adobe illustrator... As far as Normal gradients, Transparencies, Bevels, & other 2d/3d filter effects. When you attempt to export in a vector format (Even with a Vector software) the effects become an embedded bitmap image & lose all points/paths.

It is true that allot of designers think Photoshop is vector related Even though it is a Paint/Raster Software.

I mainly deal with .Wmf / .Emf / .Pdf / .Svg / .Eps vector extensions (All of which convert effects to embedded bitmaps/images upon rendering). A good test would be to design a 500x500 Vector file with a few effects in it, Then export the file into a standard Vector extension Like .Wmf / .Emf / .Pdf / .Svg / .Eps (Note .Ai is a software extension, NOT a vector extension). Now try opening up your vector file in another vector software (Mayb Inkscape, seeing that it's a fee opensource alternative). Once you've opened the file you notice that either some of the filters are gone (Lost in conversion) or that the embedded filters go blurry & lose clarity when you Up-Scale it, while the preserved points/paths vector lines remain crystal clear.

Hope that helps. :)

Vector art is really the way to go, as most print houses will ask for the file in Adobe Illustrator format. Most of my work is created in CorelDraw, and converted to ai for the customer. This way the customer can do what ever they want, create stickers, embroider, or make a billboard. Not too sure about your comment that the gradients scaling? Unless like some that believe Photoshop is a vector program?

Anyway good luck to all in the contest.