Vector Tracing


Sometimes you want to convert raster images into vector objects. Whether you want to digitize a logo, draw a sketch by hand and then scan it, or turn a photo into something artistic, the Live Trace feature in Illustrator can make it easy to do.

Start by placing any raster-based file into your Illustrator document. When you've selected it, you can either click on the Live Trace button in the Control palette (see Figure 7.195) or choose Object, Live Trace, Make.

Figure 7.195. Clicking the Live Trace button in the Control palette when an image is selected.


By default, Illustrator uses a simple black-and-white setting for tracing, but you can choose from any of the Live Trace presets in the pop-up menu in the Control palette (see Figure 7.196).

Figure 7.196. Choosing from one of the many Live Trace presets.


Live Trace objects maintain a link between the original raster image and the final traced vector result. You can always change between the Live Trace presets, or you can choose Object, Live Trace, Tracing Options to specify exact settings (see Figure 7.197). Illustrator's Live Trace feature actually performs some conditioning to the raster image before it traces it, allowing for better results. The left side of the Tracing Options dialog box contains settings for the raster conditioning. The right side of the dialog box contains settings that affect how the vector art is created.

Figure 7.197. The Tracing Options dialog box.


To edit the actual vector paths of a traced object, you have to expand the Live Trace object first. With the Live Trace object selected, click on the Expand button in the Control palette. Alternatively, you can click on the Live Paint button to expand the traced art and convert it to a Live Paint group in one step, enabling you to easily fill the traced art with color using the Live Paintbucket tool. When a Live Trace object is expanded, you can no longer change its trace settings.

Did you Know?

If you know you want to trace and expand your artwork immediately, you can Option+click (Alt+click) on the Live Trace button in the Control palette to trace and expand in a single step.


You'll use the Live Trace feature in Chapter 12, "Creating a Corporate Identity."



Sams Teach Yourself Adobe Creative Suite 2 All in One
Sams Teach Yourself Creative Suite 2 All in One
ISBN: 067232752X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 225
Authors: Mordy Golding

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