How to Color in Vector Art
Vector art is drawn using anchor points that connect to each other with smooth lines and curves. You are able to manipulate and shape the vector in many ways after it has been drawn with the anchor points. Raster images such as JPEGs or GIFs use pixels to build an image and can only be enlarged so far before losing image quality. A vector can be scaled to any size without any loss of image quality. The method in which vectors are built make it easy to select the entire digital object and color it.
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Instructions
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Open your vector image in a compatible software such as Illustrator, Freehand or Flash.
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Isolate the area to be colored. In programs such as Illustrator and Flash, use your arrow tool or selection tool to select the vector shape. If you are using Freehand, choose the paint bucket tool to prepare for color application.
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Much like a painter's palette, a digital color palette offers a variety of hues. Select your preferred color. Usually found at the bottom of your toolbar, the color chip indicates which color is selected. When you double-click or click and hold the chip, a color palette will appear with many options.
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Like spilling paint, the paint bucket tool fills the entire vector shape. Color the object. In some software, such as Illustrator, simply choosing a color in the palette will change the color of the object, provided the object is selected. If you are using the paint bucket tool to color your vector, you must move your cursor within the walls of the object and click your mouse to fill it with color.
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Tips & Warnings
If your vector object does not fill or only partially fills, it may be due to an open path. Ensure that your beginning anchor and end anchor points are joined to create a closed shape.
References
- Photo Credit Floral background. Vector image by japonka from Fotolia.com painter's palette isolated on the white background image by Elnur from Fotolia.com spilled paint image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
