Shape Exchange

[Karl DD]

From Alchemy 006 you can load in PDF files through the Pull Shapes module and draw with them.
This thread is a place to share different shape files and general vector resources.
Feel free to upload the PDF files you are using with Pull Shapes. The forum automatically creates a preview image making it easy to browse.
We will be on the look out for good stuff to include with future releases as well.


How to create PDF files
PDF files must be PDF version 1.4 or earlier, and all text & images must be converted to vector paths.
Converting images to paths can be done with a number of applications:

Adobe Illustrator CS2+ has a feature called "Live Trace":
http://www.photoshopaid.net/nav/read/22/
To group separate paths together so they come into Alchemy as single shapes, select the paths and choose Object > Compound Path > Make.

Inkscape is a free open source application much like illustrator, and it can also trace bitmap images:
http://www.inkscape.org/doc/tracing/tut ... acing.html

Adobe Flash can also trace images quite well:
http://www.kirupa.com/developer/mx2004/ ... vector.htm

Also, Alchemy session files can be loaded into Pull Shapes as well.

[Karl DD]

A wide range of vector files online here:
http://www.vecteezy.com/
http://freeillustrator.org/
http://www.easyvectors.com/

Vector Logos:
http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/

[Karl DD]

Here are the vector files included with the 006 release incase anyone needs them.

[kollatt]

karl.. i don't know what to say.. this is going to change the way alchemy affects digital artists around the world. the possibilities will be endless. i think it was great when we started the dialogue way back when about alchemy's shape language, and the suggestion of this by the community was brilliant. thank you and your partners so much. let me know whatever i can do to continue helping the community. let alchemy never cease! wooh!

[kollatt]

uh.. not to mention the very cool transparent full screen mode o.o who came up with that one? and the eyedropper was a sorely needed piece. once again, thank you.

[Karl DD]

Transparent mode was Android's idea, and Pull Shapes was jacobs - again beginning from that conversation you mentioned. Thanks for the offer of help, I have written a small list here, so check it out when you have some spare time. We really appreciate it!

[kollatt]

i didn't realize he was that closely involved in the development of alchemy. i need to pick that guy's brain one day XD i think what he's done for the digital community is great. i'm always telling people about what i call the "jones method" of digital painting. digital shape sifting is definitely it's own movement and personality.

[Karl DD]

Andrew is a good friend of Alchemy

By the way I have done a bit of customisation of the forum, so that any PDF image uploaded as an attachment (think Alchemy session files) gets a nice little thumbnail image as below. As you can see, the pages are tiled as well!
The size limits on the upload of these files are pretty generous, but it can take quite a while to process larger files (10+ pages).
Looking forward to seeing some stuff posted.

[kollatt]

what's the best way to approach making a pdf file for alchemy's pull shapes folder? i've noticed trying a pdf made by a bitmap editor like photoshop doesn't work out and makes the pull shapes behave funny ( the toolbar for pull shapes disappeared for me ). so i've just been making them in illustrator, but i'm not an ai guru yet and i'm having some difficulty figuring things out.. essentially i want to pull images from searches and cut them up and make a set out of them. any tips would be useful. i figured using a vector editor would be the only way, but i thought i'd get a handle on some other approaches. i really want to make some great collections and share them here!

[Karl DD]

Yes all text and images need to be converted to vector paths.
In Illustrator CS2 this can be done using 'Live Trace'. Check out google for a bunch of tutorials.
You could also use the Flash Trace Bitmap tool.
Years ago there used to be a standalone Adobe application called Streamline, which did just that too.