Creating Quick Vector Images from Raster images

[Lim_Meng_Yew@adobeforums.com]

Hi !

I am aware of the conventional methods to create vector images from raster images, i.e. drawing the lines individually, then adding gradients. I am wondering if there is a command in Illustrator that will allow me to create vector images quicker. An example scenario would be :

- i have an image of a female
- i need to create a quick vector illustration from this image
- once the vector is created, i will export it to be used in Flash
- client does not like it, needs adjustments
- it takes time to re-draw

basically, i want a quicker way to do it, like the 'Trace Bitmap' function in Flash.

I am running AI 9 on Win XP Pro.

Thanks !!

Scott

[Mark_Vincent@adobeforums.com]

Hi, sorry I can't help you. But I am awaiting a reply to your question too. I need to do the same thing.

Mark

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

Scott and Mark,

As the question is asked ... NO. There is no quick and easy way to convert a raster portrait to a vector image in Illustrator. You CAN use (or try) Adobe StreamLine or CorelTrace for that, but there are strong limitations on how it comes out. For one thing, only 8bit color (256) will result, so all tones will be gone and unless you do considerable work to make the color edges strong prior to taking it to the trace program, there would need to be so much cleanup, it's easier to do it manually. Many have made paths for the colors in PhotoShop, put those into Illustrator and then made the vector image that way. Or, use Illustrator Mesh (not easy and certainly not quickly) and follow Philo Calhoun's method to make a very very strong portrait in vector for a truly great vector image.

Bob

[Rocket]

Can you point me to Philo Calhoun's method?

Rocket

<BobHill@adobeforums.com> wrote in message
news:3bb50532.1@webx.la2eafNXanI...

> Scott and Mark,
>
> As the question is asked ... NO. There is no quick and easy way to convert

a raster portrait to a vector image in Illustrator. You CAN use (or try)
Adobe StreamLine or CorelTrace for that, but there are strong limitations on
how it comes out. For one thing, only 8bit color (256) will result, so all
tones will be gone and unless you do considerable work to make the color
edges strong prior to taking it to the trace program, there would need to be
so much cleanup, it's easier to do it manually. Many have made paths for the
colors in PhotoShop, put those into Illustrator and then made the vector
image that way. Or, use Illustrator Mesh (not easy and certainly not
quickly) and follow Philo Calhoun's method to make a very very strong
portrait in vector for a truly great vector image.

>
> Bob

[Christine_Krof_Shock@adobeforums.com]

See same post in Photoshop forum

[Lim_Meng_Yew@adobeforums.com]

:) thanks, guess i'll have to suffer a bit. might use Flash as a temporal solution.

[Mark_Vincent@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Bob,
My situation is a little different than Lim's. Maybe you can help me. What I want to do in take a scan of lets say a business card with a simple logo. What I did was make selections of the text and logo in photoshop and turn them into paths and import to Illustrator 9. Needless to say when you increase magnification all the jagged edges and imperfections show up in the pathes because it was made from a printed copy. Is there a way to make the paths nice and straight and smooth as if it were originally done in Illustrator. I would like to clean up the artwork for reprinting on T-shirts or other products. If this is not in the appropriate thread maybe you could direct me where to post it.

Thanks,
Mark

[Timothy_Foolery®@adobeforums.com]

Is the logo too complicated to redraw? Why don't you just find out what font the text is? Or is it custom?

Path/simplify is the one button approach to what you're asking, but I doubt it will provide you with satisfactory results. You best just get in there with the pen and/or direct selection tool and clean things up by hand.

[Mark_Vincent@adobeforums.com]

That's what I was afraid of. Yes the text is custom drawn so the font doesn't exist and a lot of the logo is the text. Oh well, and of course it's a RUSH job! :-)

Mark

[latchet_mcbride@adobeforums.com]

Hi Bob

Where is the "Philo Calhoun's" method you referred to. I did a forum search on him and can't find what you are referring to (or what I think you are referring to is indeed not at all what you mean... or something?!)

Thanks

Latchet

[Timothy_Foolery®@adobeforums.com]

Try here <http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?50@@.1de5f905.3bb3a081>

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

Philo's method is here: <http://teched.vt.edu/gcc/PDFs/PhiloCalhounIllTechnique.PDF> I've not seen better.

Bob

[Timothy_Foolery®@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Blob.

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

"Tim"

Let the past remain where it is. It serves no purpose perpetuating it.