Vector Help Needed

[Sugz]

Hi all!
Firstly i guess im known on these boards for producing Digital illustrations of Cars, objects such as cameras etc.
But i have not done a vehicle vector in a long while, two reasons, Uni work is keeping me under and the fact that i get to a stage and just stop thinking
"this is not going to turn out the way i want it."
Here is an example of a Golf GTi i started

[img=http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1772/volkswagengolfv003ro8.th.jpg]

I i literally stop there, i must have about a dozen Vectors i have started and jsut stopped like that.

I'm looking to get to this standard some day

http://nickdorenbos.deviantart.com/a...rophy-52347651
http://dr-phoenix.deviantart.com/art/Ferrari-Enzo-53417406

But i need help, i just cant seem to make the step from what i have to what they get.

Does anyone have any suggestions in what i can do?

[ratchetnclank]

Personally i think what you got is great.

The difference between yours and theres is literally the gradients. The make the car look more 3d and realistic.

[Sugz]

Thanks for the constructive feedback, Unfortunately i cant really call mine a Vector, i should be shot for saying that.
Oops i just noticed one of the links are not right, ill corrent that asap

[ratchetnclank]

Thanks for the constructive feedback, Unfortunately i cant really call mine a Vector, i should be shot for saying that.
Oops i just noticed one of the links are not right, ill corrent that asap

Why can't it? did you not use pentool?

[Jeff]

it looks like you're just missing a few details, and some glossiness. what program are you working on? i can help you from there.

[Sugz]

i only Use photoshop CS3 i think its because i find its tools much more intuitive than Illustrator.
Especially the pen tool, you cant do certain actions by holding down a hotkey
The thing about the Glossyness, thats been a problems since day one, the majority of Vectors i produce, people always comment on the Matt or plasticy feel they have.
Any help would be greatly appreciated Jeff
In reply to the above question. I myself wouldnt call it a vector, sure i used the pen tool, but i used after effects such as Gradients to get the correct shading effect. Correct me if im wrong about this

I do have illustrator, but the Disc is slowly gathering Dust, time to blow it off?

[ratchetnclank]

i only Use photoshop CS3 i think its because i find its tools much more intuitive than Illustrator.
Especially the pen tool, you cant do certain actions by holding down a hotkey
The thing about the Glossyness, thats been a problems since day one, the majority of Vectors i produce, people always comment on the Matt or plasticy feel they have.
Any help would be greatly appreciated Jeff
In reply to the above question. I myself wouldnt call it a vector, sure i used the pen tool, but i used after effects such as Gradients to get the correct shading effect. Correct me if im wrong about this

I do have illustrator, but the Disc is slowly gathering Dust, time to blow it off?

Using gradients is fine. I myself cant use illustrator. I find it awkward compared to photoshop.

[Jeff]

with respect to vectors, illustrator can do everything photoshop can and more, and that includes those hotkeys. "P" for pen tool, "alt" for convert point, "A" for selection tools, "ctrl" to toggle between them.

as for whether or not your stuff is real vectors or not, it depends on whether you're using shape layers with vector masks or if they're just filled rasters after pen tooling an outline--the former is, even with layer style gradients, while the latter never is. if the terminology might be confusing, then just resize your entire image to double its size and see if it's still sharp, or if it pixelates.

so really though, it isn't absolutely necessary for you to switch to illustrator to get those results. it looks like you're just a few layers short of those examples. look at the red car closely--you'll see multiple layers for the shadows and highlights, while on yours, you have one layer for an area and count on the gradient to cover the difference. those few missing layers make all the difference for the look of texture on the car, and linear gradients don't give the glossy look--not alone. try to mimic those extra layers onto your own. that's the way to learn.