What is Digitizing? Artwork
Continuing with the topic of what is digitizing, one of the most important aspects of digitizing is artwork. Where does one get artwork and how to use artwork is the gist of the continuance of the topic. The choice of artwork extension is .jpg but with many auto generating digitizing softwares, wmf and emf are also considered choice extensions. Used as a template or used by the software to auto generate, the clearer the image, the better the machine embroidery design.
Artwork can be photographs, clipart, paintings, anything that can be perceived as art by the digitizer and transformed into stitches. The Internet is abound with websites selling clipart, images, photo images etc. ranging from websites of private artists who cater specifically to the machine embroidery community as well as clipart and publications websites that have millions of artwork available on cds/books. One of the largest clipart websites: http://www.clipart.com has membership deals allowing members to download unlimited clipart/images for an extremely low amount. Another of the giants: http://www.doverpublications.com has availability of artwork not only in book form but also on cds.
With so much artwork available there is a very relevant question where it concerns machine embroidery. The terms of royalty free or copyright free artwork are some of the most sought after artworks. What does royalty free and copyright free mean really?
Royalty free: A term often used in photography CD collections or on CD collections of images. May also refer to the purchase of images from online sources.An initial fee is paid for the purchase of the CD, online images or a collection of photos, and the purchaser may use the image(s) as often as required within the license terms and conditions without paying for the use of the image each time the image is used.Please note that the purchase of a CD collection does not offer unlimited or unrestricted use of the images contained on the CD. Most distributors have very specific limitations on how the images can be used, placed online electronically, or reprinted.
Copyright free artwork pertains to artwork which has passed into the public domain and is no longer owned by any particular person and or organization.
As all artwork is considered Intellectual Property it is imperative that all usage terms and conditions be understood thorougly. The websites referred to above clearly state the usage of the artwork and its limitations. In choosing artwork from any clip art site and or individual sites, it is a good idea to have in clear writing as to the usage of the art. A written note from the legal department of the company via snail mail serves as a great way to protect yourself from any repercussions in the future. Emails can be altered therefore not a very reliable method of proof.
Many friends over the years have asked me why similar designs are sold by separate digitizers. My simple response has been it is the artwork. Using free artwork can have its drawbacks. As one can download and digitize it especially as a sale design, so can another do the same. The beauty comes from the digitizer where he/she presents the artwork as an inspiration and assigns attributes particular to the digitizer. Sort of like a coloring book. My children always kept a special page out of their coloring books for me as they wanted it to be colored in a special way. A ball is round, can be red, can be blue or any other color. What makes a ball different is how it is colored, shadings given, background created or in machine embroidery…the types of stitches used to create the ball.
What fun is there to use artwork for machine embroidery that is in public domain but with no individuality showing through. Browsing through hundreds of machine embroidery sites, I often smile when I see the same artwork being used by several digitizers and their creative use of it. My advice to those who use free clipart. Study the artwork that you want to use. Use your imagination to give it your own personal touch. Digitizing designs is not a coloring book, it is a step further than a coloring book. Stitches can give depth and movement to the artwork, apply them accordingly. And above all, make sure you understand completely if the usage of the artwork can allow you to sell the final product. Many times, artwork available from clipart sites can say copyright free or royalty free, but there is also a very fine print. Most of the clipart sites clearly showcase a disclaimer in the event of….make sure you understand what that means and what protection you have by purchasing the artwork and then finding out in the future that the artwork was actually registered to someone.
