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."
Recent news and updates for Vectoraster 8. Follow us on Twitter @lostminds_sw for more news and updates
2024-09-18
Vectoraster 8.6.0 released
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released, with a new dynamic arc point shape and dynamic point offset transformation, along with a number of fixes and smaller improvements.
Changes and improvements
New Arc point shape, for drawing dynamic arc shapes and lines with variable arc angle.
New Point offset transform, a new variable X,Y offset available in Point transform that visually moves the points without changing the measuring location like the raster pattern distortions, allowing for more control of point alignment and making complex patterns.
Improved license check redundancy for situations when the main license server is not working properly.
Bug fixes
Fixed disabling Point aspect scaling while set to vary dynamically would still apply aspect scale.
Fixed Fill opacity parameter being shown even when it had no effect due to fill being turned off.
Fixed colors loading incorrectly from some older format Vectoraster files.
You can download and update from free from within Vectoraster, or download the new version via the product page linked below. If you've bought the app via the Apple App Store the update should be rolling out there as well today.
2024-04-17
Vectoraster 8.5.11 released
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released, fixing some UI issues and restoring the use to dynamic values for some optional parameters.
Fixes and improvements:
Fixes not being able to dynamically vary optional parameters like additional point scaling and additional point rotation.
Fixes tabbing between min/max value fields for newly enabled dynamic varied parameters.
You can download and update from free from within Vectoraster, or download the new version via the product page linked below. If you've bought the app via the Apple App Store the update should be rolling out there as well today.
2024-03-26
Vectoraster 8 now available on the App Store
With the 8.5.10 update released today Vectoraster is now also available to purchase on the macOS App Store:
The application will still be available to purchase outside of the App Store as well and this change should not affect the functionality of the application. Future updates will continue to be released both the App Store and non-App Store version, so you'll get the same functionality regardless of version. It will however not be possible to convert an App Store purchase to a license for the non-App Store version or the other way around.
2024-03-13
Vectoraster 8.5.9 released
A small update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This update fixes some minor compatibility issues with macOS 14 and addresses some sanbox file-access related issues some users have been experiencing.
You can download and update from free from withing Vectoraster or download the new version via the product page linked below.
2024-01-23
Vectoraster 8.5.8 released
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This update modernizes some underlying file reading and writing code that should improve future (and current) compatibility and might get around some tricky permission issues. Along with this there are a couple of other little fixes and improvements.
Changes and improvements
Fix generation of innermost spiral raster points when generating line rasters.
New setting to automatically convert background color colorspace to match point color (for CMYK exports for example).
Add clipping rect to exported SVGs.
Changes to export file writing and saving APIs.
Changes to file reading handling when importing source files APIs.
2023-12-04
Vectoraster 8.5.7 released
A new small update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This is another small update that fixes some UI issues in recent versions and macOS updates.
2023-11-16
Vectoraster 8.5.6 released
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This is a smaller update that primarily fixes some issues on macOS 14.
Changes and improvements
Fix issue with collapsed bottom UI panels still showing on macOS 14.
Improved load times for files with large source images.
Removed deprecated EPS export format on macOS 14 and later (still available on earlier macOS versions).
It appears that Apple has removed system support for the EPS format in macOS 14 Sonoma, which means that sadly importing or exporting EPS files in Vectoraster and Patternodes will no longer work on macOS 14.
This was unexpected, so unfortunately current versions of Vectoraster and Patternodes will not give you any warning about this and may behave erratically trying to load/save EPS data as they relied on these system features. It's unlikely EPS format support will come back at this time, so if you're still working with EPS files, now is a good time to switch over to SVG or PDF.
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This adds some initial CMYK color support and interface optimizations along with a couple of bug fixes.
Changes and improvements
Added support for CMYK and other non-rgb color models in static colors (varying dynamic point colors will still convert to RGB in rendering and exports). CMYK colors are only supported in PDF exports.
Improved interface performance.
Improved support and handling of pasting graphics as source image layers.
Bugfixes
Fixed bug where exporting to CSV or SVG would result in the preview going blank.
Fix issue with new source images pasted in getting the wrong initial size.
Fix issue with importing vector graphics with very large sizes causing memory issues.
2023-08-22
Vectoraster 8.5.4 released
A new update of Vectoraster 8 has now been released. This adds some new functionality with support for complex unicode characters in text rasters (like SF symbols and ligatures) and some new point index options where you can chose to vary raster parameters based on the row or columns in the raster pattern for some new interesting effects.
Changes and improvements
Added new point Row, Column or Row+Column index source options, letting you base parameters on the row or column of the point.
Added support for complex multi-byte unicode characters like SF symbols and ligatures in text rasters.
Added Lost Minds Mastodon link to Help menu.
Added some more helpful information to error messages when failing to load files.
Bugfixes
Fix issue with importing vector graphics with very large sizes causing memory issues.
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.
