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RobotCatArt — Is it CHEATING to let an AI color your art?
Published: 2017-01-28 04:50:44 +0000 UTC; Views: 28508; Favourites: 264; Downloads: 0
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So in case you haven't been in the loop, in the past 24 hours or so, Someone released a tool that uses a neural network to color anime lineart. You can find it here:
paintschainer.preferred.tech
It just takes a jpg image and starts the coloring process for you, depending on the quality of your input image and contents, the results could range from meh to pretty amazing. Of course, you can specify colors and tweak it even further, and a lot of people have posted some really great looking results:
I have no doubt many people will use this to some effect or another. In fact, I think if this tool was released two years I might not have even bothered trying to seriously learn to color, since it'd be so convenient in comparison and my focus was more on making manga. There's a lot of people who stick with pencils and pens, but find digital hard to get into, or traditional colors too messy. This tool would allow them to finally get to see their own works in color. Others might put it in their digital workflow, or let it take over their digital coloring completely.
The question is, would this be considered cheating?
To answer that question, we'd have to examine what are some cases that can be considered cheating right now. The one that most people immediately think of is probably tracing. Generally most people can agree tracing is cheating, especially if you present it as your own work. The next one that comes up a lot is copying. However, already we're starting to get into a grey area. All fanart is basically copying the design and ideas of a popular franchise, so a lot of copying is already accepted. The times where drama seems to flare up is when the copy is too close to a well known work of another artist or official merchandise, such as copying the entire composition in addition to the characters. Some popular artists have ran into a bit of trouble when passing these 'studies' off as their own work, but it seems as long as you reference your source and don't try to profit off of it, its acceptable.
However, this tool doesn't really fall into the former 2 categories, but instead its more comparable to a photoshop tool or shortcut. For example, many artists use custom brushes to make their workflow much faster. Why draw every strand or rock crack when your brush takes care of the grunt work for you? Or the use of applying existing photo textures, a very common and accepted technique. Photobashing is straight up taking photos and cutting them up and putting them into your composition, and using layers, filters, and color adjusters, in combination with some digital painting touchup to make a completely new work, and is considered standard practice in the concept art industry.
So back to our original question. Is using this filter cheating, or is some level of use okay? I mean, if someone straight up says they colored it, but used the tool 100%, then I'd consider that cheating, but if they disclose they used the tool to color it, then it would it be okay? What if they used it, but then altered it by hand in addition to the AI coloring, like in photobashing, or altered it significantly so it becomes more or a reference? Would it be okay for them to say they painted it? Or they'd have to disclose they used it in some way during the coloring process?
I can already see a few uses I might have for it. For example, it seems to be able to calculate a very aesthetically pleasing color palette, while introducing a bunch of additional hues that fit your overall color scheme. It'd be extremely useful for setting up scenes or color profiles to get really interesting colors as a base reference:
Also, someone already made a short animation with the tool:
I really do want to try my hand at animating portions of VRO, and having it be colored automatically would save so much time. Of course I'd disclose my use of it.
Right now it seems the neural network was most trained on pastel type coloring, but in the future other coloring styles would become readily available. I can easily see this tool becoming a standard filter in the next version of Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint. When it does, it'd become widespread pretty quickly, and I'm sure there will be some huge schism on the digital artist scene regarding its use.
What do you guys think? Is it cheating? Or just another tool in a digital artist's arsenal?
UPDATE
I read through everyone's comments, that sure took longer than I expected. It seems people are pretty split regarding whether using the tool is cheating or not. However, most people agree that credit should be given if you do use the tool. A few comments brought up 'collaboration', which is a viewpoint I hadn't considered. There's also the issue of commissions, which make thing a lot more complicated.
Either way, it seems like as AI become more prevalent, thinks will be shaken up in ways we might not be able to control.
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Comments: 219
this will definetly affect the whole digital art world, and if they make more styles for it, it will actually be very helpful for animations and comics (where there's a LOT to do) plus taking into consideration that you do need skill to use the program, I don't see any problem with it being used, even for comissions (as long as the price reflects the effort, obviously) as long as everything is stated up front ("used paintschainer for coloring" or smth)
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I honestly see this as a shortcut, a bad one depending on if you rely on it for everything and don't take the time to actually study and pratice color. But the fact that you can tweak colors suggests that you'd need some knowledge on what looks good.
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This has probably been said already, but if if photography is considered an acceptable form of art and no credit needs to be given to that which you've taken a picture of, nor is it considered cheating having a tool that simply captures an image rather than you yourself creating it, then this AI coloring tool is completely legit. I don't care how much time and effort, or skill you put into pushing that little button to make sure you capture that image correctly. It took time and skill and effort to press the little button for the AI to color my artwork 
On the other hand, if you do NOT consider photography or any other form of capturing an image (if there exists any) artwork, then feel free to disregard that standpoint. You would then be correct - any form of tool assistance with your art outside of your being responsible for creating the image would be considered cheating.
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i respect your opinion (and im just gonna ignore the other conversation you were having) but I must cross it
Photography is considered an art. But photography is in absolutely NO way as easy as you have shown it. Getting a high quality camera and just taking pictures of flowers and birds isnt what photography is about. (I just want to say that doing those things IS photography,but its a bit on the starting level)
Im not a photographer,nor do i know any. But I know a LOT of thought has to go into each click. You have to see to the lighting,the subject matter,the background,the shadow,the positioning,the meaning,the mood and so on. There is a LOT of things a photographer has to consider while taking a photo. Let me give you an example
imagine a photo of a flower in a pot on a windowsill. got the image in your head? now,imagine difference atmospheres and different weathers outside the window. If its gloomy and raining,it brings a bit of depression and calmness. If its sunshine falling on the window,it gives the feeling of life,and happiness. Now imagine a photographer taking a picture of that flower,but taking it during rain,and expecting people to have the sense of happiness,and brightness. See my point?
back to the topic of this journal. DONT compare photography to computers coloring in things for you. Photography requires skill. Thats why the term "professional photographer" exists. Pressing a button to have a computer do something for you DOES NOT require any sort of skill. AT ALL.
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Basically, what you just described to me was
- Waiting for the right time to press the button on the camera
- Waiting for the right angle to press the button on the camera
- Waiting for optimal conditions to press the button on the camera
- Waiting for right atmosphere/mood to press the button on the camera
Technically, this art tool that fills in colors for you actually still does it wrong at times. So basically you have to wait for the thing to get it right before you can say you're satisified with the result. That requires skill because you need to know what colors work and what doesn't.
You have to be ABLE to press the button to get the thing to work. Not everyone can do this. Some people have disabilities. You need ability to use a camera.
You have to KNOW about the tool to press the button to get the thing to work. If it weren't for Robotcatart, I wouldn't have known about this tool. Knowledge is necessary to take pictures with a camera.
You have to have your sketch or linework already read for the thing to color for you. In order for you to use a camera, something must exist for you to take a picture of.
Case and point. I'm not going by what you FEEL may be artwork based on your opinion of things. I'm not putting forth an OPINION either. I'm merely using all the TECHNICALITIES that people who think photography is art use when trying to justify their position, and turning it against them, and then putting out a fact. I'm trying to hold what is considered artwork to a STANDARD and stick strictly to it, because otherwise, you get everything and anything as being considered art, whether it was meant to inspire or induce some sort of feeling or emotion or not.
With such shitty definitions, me simply throwing a rock at the ground in frustration is considered art, as it may shatter into bits and or leave an impression. Whether it is captured on paper or digital media be damned, the act itself can simply be art. Then where does that leave us? All of our actions are artwork. Sitting at the computer is artwork. Taking a shit is artwork. There's no end to the possibilities.
Or maybe we should have a strict standard of what is and what is not artwork, and call it a day. Artwork is something you create from scratch. I'm willing to give phography a bit of leaway and say that if you do a lot to create the scene before snapping the shot, it would be artwork, but if your'e simply taking pictures of what's already there, all the minute details be damned, it ain't art.
Remember, I do photography too. I'm simply sick of people's feelings trying to make their way into an established foundation to try to take control.
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Ouch, don't cut yourself on that edge there, kid.
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Of COURSE the person with a shitload of attention getting useless stamps and widgets on her DA user page that tell what she personally likes would have something to say about statement, because, if her page is anything to go by, she believes everyone gives a flying fuck about her opinion, right?
I'd love to debate, but I'm quite sure you'll be the one forfeiting after a few back and forths (probably contemplating right now to forgo the endeavor just because I mentioned it).
And me? A kid? Bitch, I'm your father. RESPEK
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Aaand now I know you have autism. GG.
PS: Thanks for the new copypasta. Reddit'll love it.
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Bitch with a name like MahouShoujoIceStar is accusing another person of having autism.... Adding this to my list of shockers of Jan 2017.
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And just like the picture perfect textbook of responses dictates, she blocked me and ran away. Predictable fucktards, all of them.
Why the hell do people find it fit to start an arguement with someone and not even fucking finish? If you didn't want to speak to someone who you know is not going to change their opinion, why bother talking in the first place?
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Anyway, I'm not in a trolling mood, so have fun. Have a good day.
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I'm gonna say...this would be in the gray area where it concerns 'cheating'. Granted I'm traditional artist; so I'm seeing it as a 'skip' avenue for digital artist. Like how alot of digital artist have their own 'brushes' and 'textures'. I'm seeing it like that.
As long as credit is also stated, I don't see how it would 'anger' anyone or make them think that their cheating
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OMG that is amazing!!!
Also, I think that in the second drawing one of the girls looks like Rukia from Bleach...
XD
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I want the kind of AI which would draw absolutely everything for me from scratch, send art to clients, receive money, invest them into markets, build army of robots to capture the World and most importantly - would feed my cat nonstop. So all I would need to do is just sit and eat ice-cream.. or maybe nap.. idk, its hard to choose you know
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why would clients even commission you anymore? just get the AI 
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I think it actually might be true very soon. My country just deveoped an AI which can write poems, make an action film short clips and write a music already o3o
Also www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkv-_L…
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that..honestly sounds terrifying...
THAT VIDEO THO
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Oh ty! And you have a very cute one <3
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well, this is a nice tool for those who keep saying that they can't draw/color at all x3 or for the industry, but'd guess it needs to be quite more refined
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If I can react to the update, in additionnal with commission, support through patreon will had some trouble for those who want to use the tool... everything which bring money on the table will be reconsider :/
I wonder if digital illustrators who work for advertising, make logo or something like this will see their job taken by this sort of tool...
And I was thinking for those who want to make a comic, manga, etc... Do they need to pass through a redraw or coloring service before print their book? May it will be the start of a quick cheap coloring for manga which are B&W for the moment... I think this program will change definitly the way we see the digital art... May traditional art will take more importance until they make a cheap robot which can draw with a pen on paper...
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J'me dis la même chose XD
Pi je rajouterai :
C'est cool pour faire un dessin rapide fissa genre référence et tout ou encore pour tester différent jeu de couleur sans devoir tout refaire à chaque fois, c'est un super gain de temps pour un résultat pas dégueulasse, mais y'en a qui vont forcément l'utiliser sans le dire for MONEY EASY MONEY.
Et là, ça devient problématique. Déjà, le client se fait berner, mais en plus, on va douter de la sincérité des artistes qui font du digi : il fait lui même où il triche ?
Sans compter que le(s) style(s) de colo fourni(s) par le logiciel va/vont devenir répétitif(s), donc ptete lassant si les gens se servent du truc en masse, et ouai, l'art au digital va perdre de l'intérêt.
*Et là tu te dis que t'es bien content d'avoir ton style à toi en digi, personne pourra t'accuser de tricher :')*
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Bah oui... Les abus vont être plus simples et ca va mettre un nouveau terrain de méfiance envers les artistes, ca les penalise vachement 
Aussi, c'est très possible... :-/ faut voir jusqu'où le logiciel est capable d aller...
Haha haha XD c'est sur ^_~ et la ils sortent le module "Angedecristal" ET BIIIIM dans les dents X'D
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Bah en plus, le style du logiciel actuel est aquarelle/simple, c'est un style que pas mal on déjà en fait >w<
Ouai mais je peux prouver que je faisais déjà comme ça AVANT le module 8'D
... Ou mieux. Je leur vends mon style pour le module et hop, chui riche *Parpaing*
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oui ^^" je suppose aussi que c'est pour ça qu'ils ont choisi ce style
Bien sur! ^^
OHMAISOUILABONNEIDEE! *G* Let's do this! 8D
Après j'allais dire, on ne va pas arrêter le progrès parce que cela va engendrer des modifications dans la manière d'appréhender le support, surtout que les développeurs ont surement de bonnes intentions
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Yep je pense aussi, et puis bien utilisé, avec franchise aussi, je pense que ça peut être franchement utile !
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Carrément même!
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J'ai testé, et franchement c'est plutôt cool
Un peu dur à comprendre au début, mais quand t'a pigé le truc, le résultat est sympa. Mais bon, ça te permet pas de faire ce que tu veux à 100%
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Tu es déjà passé du côté obscur de la force? 
Je vois!
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Nah car même si le rendu est sympa, pour moi ça ne donne pas le style que je veux, il manque ma personnalité qui est principalement dans la colo xD
Mais pour des line que j'aime bien mais que je finirai jamais pour X raison, c'est un bon compromis
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Bien sur, je t’embêtes ^^
C'est sur
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I think this is really cool, but you should still learn how to actually color. It might be nice for a short drawing or for playing around with or if you dont feel like coloring, but it should not replace actual down-to-earth coloring. Just my opinion, though!
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Am I the only one who thinks this is horrible?
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Just be a master on your works, pally.
Being a master means you know a range of technique and craft and knowing when and when not to use it.
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What????!
This is amazing!!!!!!
(thank you and bless you for bringing this amazingness to our attention)
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In my opinion, it's just like any other shortcut; it can help the drawing process but it won't be a valid stand in for actual practice. I feel that a heavy reliance on it won't help you improve at colouring, and at some point, you'll get stuck when you find yourself having to colour without it. Plus, there's always the chance that the generated image won't turn out the way you want it to. That being said, I think it opens a lot of doors and I'm pretty excited to see what others make with it!
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My question is just how much is it coloring? Are there settings to where it only chooses a color palette for the piece or can it add shading and lighting?
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That depends on your goal. I think if the point is to create a picture that looks nice is the point I don't think it's cheating. After all it IS just a program to make drawing art easier.
But if your goal was to make a beautiful picture by yourself, then it is cheating.
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Well, holy crap oO
I am impressed by the tool :0
Technically... you atleast didnt cheat on the lineart i guess xD
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hmmm...the definition of cheating is very...uncertain...I don't know..
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I don't think it's cheating. It sounds quite convenient in my case.
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Sure, it can color an image for you, however you still need to draw the line art or sketch first. And if you ask me the line art is the more important part that cannot be cheated.
So i don't think it matters. Someone who is unable to draw well before still will not have what it takes even with this. I see this program as more of a tool an artist can use to quickly get color concepts of their drawings.
While it has a nice painterly look i don't think it does a good enough job yet.
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