++ Vector File Format Announcement! ++

UPDATE: As of Thursday, December 1st, AI10 files are now live! For a list of submission guidelines please see the 'Sticky' thread at the top of this forum'

Since the beginning, iStock has been offering Royalty Free vector illustrations and over the years we've seen a lot of changes in our collection.

Illustrations have grown more and more complex as contributors gain in skill and as more features are added to vector programs. We've attracted amazing talent and we're proud to say that we have one of the most incredible vector collections available – Anywhere.

One thing that hasn't changed over the years, however, is our required file format.

We've been asking for AI8 EPS files since we started. There were a number of reasons that this was the go-to file format for vectors: They're versatile, open in almost every vector editing program, and ensure that clients are getting files that they can edit on their own.

Nowadays the AI8 EPS file format is seriously showing its age. It's clunky, difficult to work with, and doesn't support awesome features like transparencies and drop shadows. Any illustrator who's struggled to build an AI8 compatible file knows exactly how time consuming it can be to duplicate effects that could be achieved with the click of a button in current vector software.

Our clients have moved on, too. Over the past several months we've conducted a number of surveys on our vector clients. We've gotten some great feedback and now understand who they are and how they work better than we ever have before. And it looks like AI8 EPS files may not be the best file format for everyone anymore.

Today, we're happy to give our illustrators an early Christmas gift:

Very soon, AI8 EPS files will no longer be our required vector file format. That's right: We'll be upgrading to AI 10 EPS instead.

We're sticking with the EPS file format because it's an industry standard, but we're jumping up a couple AI versions. The shift from 8 to 10 is HUGE:

• For the first time ever, you'll be able to use features like transparencies, drop shadows, blurs and glows
• No more 'faking' transparent effects by chopping shapes to pieces
• No more 'open shapes' rejections!!!
• No more problems like rasterized shapes or sliced gradients

We will have more information regarding AI10 EPS files in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for further updates.

(Edited on 2011-12-01 09:57:49 by bortonia)

Some additional info:

Many of you could be wondering whether or not you'll be able to replace your existing AI8 files with the new AI10 format. At this point, we're still discussing this: We haven't ruled out the possibility. We'll keep you posted as soon as a decision has been made.

Also, for those of you working in older versions of Illustrator, or in Corel and Freehand: Our requirements will be AI10 or lower, so you'll still be able to upload. We're only raising the 'maximum' version number.

(Edited on 2011-11-18 17:39:31 by bortonia)

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

Yay!!!! I'm so excited to create my first file with transparencies!!!

Cool, awsomeness...


It doesn't support transparency blend though right?



(Edited on 2011-11-18 15:39:36 by daveturton)

(Edited on 2011-11-18 15:43:31 by daveturton)

Awesome!!!

Huzzah!!!

Well that's a very pleasant surprise.

Congrats to all of you illustrator types. ")

Yippeeee! I can't wait!

When we get closer to launching, we'll put together a big list of features that AI10 will and won't support, probably as an article (or series of articles). We could also put more information into the Training Manual and our FAQs, if people are running into problems. It'll take several months to figure out what effects people are struggling with the most!

I can't wait to know the new AI10 eps requirements to update my Vector Stock Helper script

Yay!! I think iStock has been losing ground to other agencies in this regard. Now we can catch up!

For you trivia buffs, Illustrator 8 was released in 1998. That's right, 13 years ago. Among the new features introduced in this version were the Pencil tool (ooh!), Bounding Box handles, Smart Guides and Gradient Mesh.

I can't wait to see the end of the dreaded 'open shapes' rejection!!!

Yay! No more fake transperancies!

YESSSSSS this is huge, huge news...

Very exciting!

Now this is good news!

I've seriously been doing random little 'happy dances' around the office since the announcement!

Now I just have to relearn how to draw in Illustrator. I've been working around AI8 for so long I'm not sure I even know where the 'transparency' palette is anymore...