For more information:
What a Vexel Is: The Official dA Definition
^Chewedkandi's CR updates
How to submit to the vector-artists gallery

First of all; don't create art to make it go in a certain category - if you feel the need to reach outside the rules, do so - but please don't try to sneak it in. This is a group for vector and vexels, if your piece isn't one, we won't upload it to the gallery - it isn't because your piece isn't "worthy" or "good enough" or because we want to punish you

Some of you might have gotten a message on your submissions where one of us asks you to explain a certain part of your piece or what program(s) you used. We hope to stop doing that - we would rather be able to accept all the submissions and count on you guys to know what your piece is.

So here it is - the steps to figuring out where your piece goes (in our gallery, but also when you upload it to dA and need to choose a category)

What program did you use?

If you are using a program capable of making vector-layers and resizing these infinit, your work is a vector so far. If you merge the vector-layers (or save the image making it raster) and then apply affects to the rastered layers your piece is no longer a vector.
Popular programs capable of true vector:
Illustrator, Freehand, Corel Draw, Flash, Inkscape and Photoshop

If you are using a program capable of making blocks of colour with a marquee or a pentool, where the blocks are raster, meaning that they can't be resized - your work is a vexel so far.
Popular programs cabable of making blocks of color:
Photoshop, Gimp, Painter

What tools are you using?

If you are using the pentool to make vector layers or shapelayers that can be resized infinite your work is vector

If you are using the pentool or the marquee to make raster layers that can't be resized infinite your work is a vexel

If you are using the brushtool to paint blocks of colour your work isn't vector or vexel

What effects/filters are you using?

If you are using effects/filters (in a program capable of true vector) that won't resize along with the vector layers your work isn't a vector. (these effects are called live effects (blur, feather, glow and dropshadow are popular liveeffects) and are acceptable as vector on dA)

If you are using inner glow, outer glow or drop shadow you work isn't a vexel.

If you are using any filter in photoshop (or other rasterbased programs) your work isn't a vector or a vexel

what other raster elements are you using?

if you are using any raster elements (except live effects) you work isn't a vector

Textures, outerglows and dropshadows are not allowed in vexels

Photograph backgrounds are not allowed. (This would be mixed media, as you are mixing both the medium of vexel or vector with the medium of photography)
Photo elements (this includes photo-textures) and photos overlayed over your finished product are not allowed (ex: if you are doing a portrait over a photo and leave the lips to "shine" through or simply put the lips on top of your work)

Brushes allowed when doing ex. hair (Stroke path.) Brushes should not be the main part of the piece. If the piece contains more brushes than hand-rendered shapes, it would no longer be considered vexel.
Soft, feathered or photo brushes are not allowed.

So what is it? Vexel, vector or mixed media?

If your work contains no raster elements and no effects that can't be resized along with your work your work is a vector

If your work contains vector-layers with rasterelements that aren't allowed your work isn't a vector or a vexel, but goes to mixed media.

If your work contains raster layers with blocks of colour made with the allowed tools your work is a vexel

If your work contains vector-layers with ANY rasterelements your work isn't a vexel or a vector

If your work contains raster layers with blocks of colour made with the allowed tools and raster elements that aren't allowed your work isn't a vexel or vector, but goes to mixed media

If your work contains raster layers with blocks of colour made with the tools that aren't allowed it isn't a vexel or vector

Help us promote vexels and vectors by reading and abiding these rules.

When in doubt: contact us!
We don't mind helping, what we do mind is having to ask the same questions over and over again. If we didn't have to do that we would have a lot more time to do fun projects to inspire and promote you!
You can either send the group a note with a link to the piece your are wondering about or leave a comment in this journal.

"But I only added a small texture or a brushstroke afterwards"
Your work goes to mixed media category on deviantArt but in #vector-artists we have a special folder for mixed media vectors and vexels, it's called vections and we'd love to have your work there