Vectoraster is a graphics design app for creating custom vector halftones, stipple designs or animated raster effects based on imported images or dynamic elements like gradients, text or noise fields.
The halftone patterns and point shapes can be changed and varied across the pattern to produce many different styles. The resulting effect is always shown, with the preview updating in real time as you change parameters. The result can then easily be exported as vectors to SVG, PDF or EPS files, as images to JPEG, PNG or TIFF, or simply copied and pasted into most graphics software.
With Vectoraster 8 you can now also animate all these effects to create transitions, video backgrounds or other effects to use in your motion design projects. The result can be exported either as GIF, MOV or MPEG4 video files or a sequence of frame pdf or image files.
Inspiration
There is a collection of projects that could work as inspiration for what you could use Vectoraster for here on Behance:
"To sum it all up, Vectoraster is a highly customizable OS X application that helps you create vector-based raster patterns with just a couple of mouse clicks."
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. The primary change in this update is making Vectoraster a sandboxed application, a security measure that puts strict limitations on access to system features like file access. Everything should still work as before, but you might see a couple of extra confirmation dialogues at first about granting access if you export multiple files for example. In addition to just being better from a security perspective this change is also a step to ensure future macOS compatibility for when Apple decides to make this type of security mandatory for all applications.
8.4.6 changes:
Improved SVG custom point shape path mode imports.
Application Sandbox for improved security and future macOS compatibility.
Updated Sparkle version checking and updates library.
An update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This new version brings adds new dithering raster patterns, GIF animation export support and a couple of other fixes and improvements.
8.4.5 changes:
Added three new dithering raster patterns: Burkes, Atkinson and Bayer 4x4.
Added support for exporting animations as animated GIFs.
Added new preferences setting for default in/out easing type of new added keyframes.
Fixed using trackpad pinch gestures to zoom in the preview.
Fixed some issues with the export progress bar during repeated animation exports.
Character point shape baseline pivot option is no longer turned on by default.
A new small update of Vectoraster 8 has been released. This update fixes some issues when exporting complex rasters with a lot of points to SVG or CSV data.
A new small update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This update fixes an issue with exporting animations to numbered files and makes some improvements to the interface.
8.4.1 changes:
Changed preferences interface so changes are applied immediately.
Fixed an issue with exporting animations to numbered PNG or JPEG files.
Interface performance improvements.
Changed the default video export codec to H264.
Added some improved error messages for export issues.
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has been released. The new 8.4 version brings support for using video sources, just like images. This means you can now make animations with moving images and use Vectoraster to generate complex video halftone filters/effects. Along with this the existing animation timeline means you can also dynamically animate all raster parameters to change along with the video, bringing a lot of possibilities.
Vectoraster 8.4.0 changes
Video source layers allowing you to apply raster effect to video and export the animated result.
Greatly improved video export rendering performance.
The YouTube videos links now correctly lead to the Vectoraster 8 videos playlist.
Fixes the display raster / source slider opacity not updating the preview.
Fixes an issue with the export progress panel hiding when the application was inactive.
Smoother handling of remotely deployed license unlocking, not showing the trial mode notice while the license is verified.
After the release of the new Patternodes 3, a smaller update of Vectoraster 8 has now also bee released. This update fixes a couple of bugs and brings improvements to SVG imports along with a new app macOS 11-12 style icon to match the new Patternodes icon.
8.3.3 changes:
New macOS 11-style application icon.
Improvements to SVG custom point shape parsing.
Fixes some issues with UI panel animations.
Fixes to some dark mode UI issues.
Fixes holes still appearing in exports if exporting immediately after unlocking the full version.
Updated to Sparkle 2.0 version checking and updating library.
Another update has now been released for Vectoraster 8. This update adds a new Unsharp mask sharpening filter you can use on all source layers and fixes a couple of bugs.
8.3.2 changes:
New Unsharp mask sharpening filter available for all source layers.
Fixes an issue where the Export dialogue could become unresponsive on macOS 12.1 when opening it a second time.
Handle loading or setting invalid animation duration or framerate better.
Another update has now been released for Vectoraster 8. This update brings an asortment of bugfixes and improvements to various parts of the application. Thanks to everyone who has reported bugs and submitted feedback! And if you haven't checked out the sample files in a while, this could be a good time. Maybe you'll find inspiration for something new added in recent updates.
8.3.1 changes:
Added support for drag and drop importing new source image layers.
Fixed preview drag editing of position for distortions in rotated and offset rasters.
Fixed the animation keyframe value field not updating the raster after changes.
Fixed undo/redo of editing animation duration, framerate and loop settings.
Fixed animation framerate setting not loading correctly from saved files.
Fixed bug where raster would stop drawing after turning both point fill and storke off, even if they were turned on again.
Today a new update for Vectoraster 8 has been released. This update adds new features that bring new possibilities working with text and font characters for point rasters, now allowing sets of multi-character words for the point shapes and more importantly a way to pick character or word based on a source.
This means you can define a set of characters or words and vary which one is used for each point actross the raster. Combined with all the different raster and point shape parameters already in place this gives you a lot of new possibilities!
8.3.0 changes:
New source-based text modes. Pick point text characters dynamically based on source layers. Paint by numbers or ASCII-art!
New word text modes. Use a set of words instead of just characters as point shapes. Make word clouds or generate data-driven labels!
Some changes for more consistent handling of fonts for text raster points and text source layers.
Fix a bug where changing the document random seed wouldn't update the seed for all random properties.
Fix a bug where the document random seed wouldn't be properly loaded from saved files.
Another update has now been released for Vectoraster 8. This update brings a couple of improvements to working with animations and keyframes in the animation timeline, fixes some issues in recent version with using source layer color for points and a couple of other little fixes and improvements.
8.2.5 changes:
You can now edit animation keyframes while the animation is running.
You can now quickly revert values being edited by pressing Esc.
Disabling a parameter that has an active animation track now also disables the animation track and adds a warning icon to it.
Removing a source layer or pattern distortion that has animated parameters now also properly removes these animation tracks.
Fixed a bug where removing the last source layer could leave an orphaned source settings panel.
Fixed couple of issues in v8.2.3 and 8.2.4 with using source layer color for point stroke or fill.
Changes to visibility toggle buttons for source layers and animation tracks to reduce interface clutter.
Purchase process
The online purchase process is handled quickly and securely by Paddle.com.
After you complete your purchase you will immediately be given access to your license codes and information on how to unlock the full version of your software. You will also be sent two e-mails from Paddle to the address you've specified. One receipt for your records and one titled "Your <Product> Paddle.com Order" containing your license code and unlocking information.
