On the subject of "tracing"

I know I don't do that. Maybe you're thinking of those few that actually do convert the pixels of an actual image somehow (that is definitely NOT tracing), cheating the system.

Got any examples?

I saw a video on youtube last night when I searched "Drawception" - A guy uses python script, of which I assume contains a link to the pic? -- Anyway, then the python code takes control of the mouse, and draws out the pic (not like actually drawing, basically it's a vertical line at a time), changing colors and everything. Interesting to watch, but not worth the effort to copy.

Here's the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_05SlyBy22o

That's not what Doug is referring to, there are programs that turn your browser see-through so you could place a picture behind the Drawception window and trace the outline, for example.

I was just following up leilei's comment :D

Yeah, while I think we can all agree that the python is plainly not how you play a game (a more complex version of copy and paste, really). Tracing isn't nearly as bad, which is why I'm putting the issue out there to see where the grey area lies, and to see where a line should be drawn (pun kind of intended.)

Can anyone post examples of where they think this has been used, please?

I don't think I've ever seen that?

I do think it defeats the purpose of Drawception, but I don't see any way to stop it. Also, someone who's doing that already doesn't give 2 shits about whether or not it's in the spirit of the game...

I'm not keen on someone tracing their art. I often use references and sometimes the pose and expression of the character is so important to convey the subject of the panel that I use the same one.

However, the difference is that I did it with my own shaky hands and without the aid of the picture underneath. I don't see the point in tracing. With enough practice you can draw nearly any well known character semi-decently. The Simba I drew in my avatar nearly looks like a screenshot from the movie. Sadly the panel at actually size doesn't have as much detail as I would have liked :P.

I don't think really anything can be done about this particular exploit at this point. It doesn't really ruffle my feathers as much as those who use the python scripts that Dewmz brought up.

You can do that!?!? Hot diggidy, I can see my level sky-rocketing now! :P Just kidding of course, I don't care about points (else I'd have played a lot more games). More on topic, I think it isn't a bad thing, provided you add more into it than just what's in the image. If it's a really complicated thing then I'd say it's OK, but an apple really doesn't need to be traced.

FWIW, many of the best artists uses all sorts of "cheats" like this, rooted in the tech of their time. Many you might not suspect. The idea that one is supposed to draw freehand is a bit of a 20th century convention, maybe related to the surrender of realism that photography made nearly inevitable.

I, for one, don't have a problem with this... I'll probably go looking for the plug-ins. It might be wise to just make them generally known, though, to even the playing field.

I don't see how in god's green earth anyone is likely to be able to prevent this sort of thing... might as well embrace it.

One reference for what should have read: "many of the best artists used..."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/vermeer_camera_01.shtml

The Python script is an interesting exercise, but I can't imagine waiting while it did its thing... for such a tool to really be much use, it would need to maybe limit itself to edge detection, making it faster, and leaving more time for the artist to do their thing... plus scaling and cropping are issues... seems like people are worrying about problems that mostly solve themselves, given that a script like that one would bore most people to tears, and it would be terribly obvious you were using it, leaving one to ask, what's the point?