Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions2022-07-15T08:12:16+10:00
2dgameartguru figure holding pen
Should I use a mouse or a tablet?2019-02-22T08:17:29+10:00

What’s better – mouse or tablet? I am working with both – my mouse and a Wacom Intuos tablet. When working with vectors the pen controls don’t have such a big impact. It’s a lot different when I do digital painting – the pen is essential for a nice feel and proper brush controls. A mouse works fine with most vector tools and might even be easier to control. The only thing I can see the pen working better would be with the pen tool while drawing line-art or doing hand lettering. To sum it up, a mouse works but having both as an option is nice!

What’s an .svg file?2018-09-30T20:21:47+10:00

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. It’s an XML-based vector image format for 2D graphics with support for interactivity and animation. The SVG specification is an open standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium.

SVG images can be displayed in most current web browsers and imported and edited by most vector design tools. Inkscape uses the SVG format as the native file format.

Should I export to .JPG or .PNG?2018-09-30T20:21:28+10:00

These two file formats use different algorithms for compression making them more suitable for certain tasks.

JPG is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography. Due to the loss of information, blurs and artefacts tend to appear. These become a lot more apparent when there are sharp outlines and clear edges.  JPG does not support alpha – the images can’t have transparent areas.

PNG is a lossless image compression format. Its compression is based on combining chunks of similar colours. The format is palette based and you can reduce the palette for even smaller files – or when creating pixel art where the palette is essential to the design. PNG also allows for transparency – images can have “see-through” areas (e.g. show a character without a background).

For the best possible quality PNG is the better choice for vector based designs to keep the crisp look and maintain transparency.

Why use vectors and not pixel art?2018-09-30T19:59:21+10:00

The reason I chose vectors for my tutorials instead of doing pixel art lies in the more “constructive” approach. A lot of “non-artists” find it hard to create something from scratch. The usual comment I get is “I can’t even draw a stick figure”. Drawing is a very different approach to placing set shapes on the screen and “build” your design. Using circles and squares as a base for most designs allows those with limited drawing skills to create game art.

What program are you using for the tutorials?2018-09-30T19:53:59+10:00

I have written most of my tutorials using Inkscape (as a free vector design tool). Some of the tutorials are based on different tools (as I use CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer and a few more). I usually state the tool at the beginning of the post and in the toolbar to the right of the step-by-step tutorials. I add the icon/ name in the bottom.

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