After lots of hard work, we're finally getting ready to release another one of our Flash-based applications, our vector editor Raven. The obvious analogy would be to desktop software like Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw or Inkscape.
Here's a quick video teaser of some of the functions in action (more to come soon).
From a commercial standpoint, we're really excited to release Raven into the wild because vectors are infinitely scalable and are used in everything from logo design to t-shirts to clip art. In other words, whereas Phoenix is not ideal for native high resolution design, Raven is very well suited for it.
Many of you have asked about how vectors will integrate with other tools: so we'll confirm here that the code base will be ported to all tools in the suite that can make use of it.
- Phoenix: We'll add a Pen-tool for use in the creation of reusable vector paths for making editable shapes and selections.
- Horus and Owl, our font and desktop layout editors, will also make use of this engine to edit vectors directly.
Raven will be a phenomenal way of driving graphic design services through Aviary's market place. Can you imagine a website where an artist can be hired to design a logo, chat with the client, share revisions (and even edit live in front of the client), manage their work flow and finally provide the final source files right to the client who doesn't need any special software to open it, all from within a single interface?
Another situation where the technology would be useful is for online clothing design communities whose members will no longer need to purchase and/or troubleshoot install expensive desktop software in order to jump in and design clothing!
To be one of the first to get access to Raven, sign up at http://a.viary.com/ for an invitation. If you are already in the system, no need to resign up. Just drop us a note in the forums and we'll add it to your account as soon as we release it.

I wanted to showcase some of our talented Artist in Residence's work for our upcoming marketing campaign. This is the artwork and some rough text layout for the part of the campaign for Raven, our vector editor.
This particular ad is inspired by and parodies Marcos Chin's stunning work for Lava Life.
Our artist is Brent Koby, otherwise known affectionately to Worth1000 users as Meowza.
We are creating an ad for almost every tool on our list.
All Brent's artwork created for the campaign will be purchasable on mounted posters through our market once we launch (with or without ad text). We created everything to be stand-alone beautiful on their own.
Another example of an ad was already displayed on our blog (the artwork will also be used in our upcoming book).
PS. I've been told by some people they want this blog to focus on the tool development alone, but I have to disagree. Our marketing is just as important as the tools they help promote. It doesn't matter how great our tools work - without an attractive message drawing people in, nobody will ever want to try them in the first place. If you agree and would like to see more artwork for our upcoming campaigns, let me know in the comments below.
Update! Even our error messages were done by Brent. For instance, here is a nice easter egg for those of you who encounter any errors on our site.
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