How to create a vector image from a jpeg in Illustrator CS

[Jason_Richter@adobeforums.com]

Is there any way to create a vector image from a jpeg in Illustrator CS. I need to learn how to do this. Our shop specializes in signage and design and we always have to send off to have this done. Is there a special plugin out there that does this or is this type of procedure produced in an outside application and saves as an illustrator file. Anyone who can help this would be much appreciated!!

Thanks
Jason

[B. Philippus]

Do a search on this forum for Vector and Bitmap.

[Darlyne@adobeforums.com]

I need the same answer. I have several old logo files that need to be converted to vector art for vendor use. I tried the suggested search and did not find an answer.

Some of my files are .tif and some are .eps. I work in a windows enviroment. Is there a way?

Thanks.
Darlyne

[Scott_Falkner@adobeforums.com]

You couldn't have searched very thoroughly, since there are tons of message on this topic. You have three main options: Use Illustrator's near-useless autotrace tool (found under the blend tool), use another autotrace program (Silhouette, Streamline, and CorelTrace lead the pack), or redraw using the pen tool. Most user here -- myuself included -- will recommend the later option.

[B. Philippus]

I tried the suggested search and did not find an answer.




Really?

I tried the suggested search, too, and the answers were legion.

Bert

[sp@machinebody.com]

Use Adobe Streamline.. it's great.

[Darlyne@adobeforums.com]

I did find lots of files about vector vs bitmap, but they all seemed to be about the other way around -- changing vector to bitmap.

Are you guys employed by Adobe? If so, do they offer any customer service training?

It would be most helpful if you could do a copy/paste for me with just one answer optained from the search that really addresses my question.

Thanks.
Darlyne

[Scott_Falkner@adobeforums.com]

Try a search for "vector + bitmap". It's not rocket surgery.

[B. Philippus]

NOBODY EVER READS POST #1

Bert

[D_I@adobeforums.com]

I guess I'll never make it to rocket surgery either. When I searched for "vector" and "bitmap," vector and bitmap, or vector to bitmap, I only came up with this thread of conversation.

Perhaps you could link us to one of the legions of sites?

[B. Philippus]

OK admittedly the original legion was 1,000 strong, but 200 matches, come on guys, you may have to actually read through some of them and they're not all about this topic, but I gleaned at least 10 from the list in about a minute that had pertinent info.

[Nasty remarks removed by poster]

Bert

[Stu_Bloom@adobeforums.com]

All the folderol about searching aside, the basic answer you will find in those 1,000 or 200 or however many posts is in post 3 in this thread.

[Timothy_Foolery®@adobeforums.com]

<Homer Simpson> Pen tool eh? </Homer Simpson>

[Fred_Weiss@adobeforums.com]

Autotracing can be a great help with graphics but will tend to be less acceptable with text. Especially if you are enlarging to typical signage sizes.

We've been vector digitizing professionally since the early 90's and I would state that the most important aspect of creating clean vector versions from most bitmapped versions lies in that ability to accurately identify the names of the type faces used in a client logo. It also helps if you have a comprehensive type library available.

Then you can install the font and replace that part of the art with clean type. The rest is usually a breeze and the clean type will offset the slight inaccuracy and glitches you will get in autotracing the graphic shapes.

We've had great success efficiently identifying type with a product called FontExpert and a supplemental shareware product named TypoGraf.

[E._Segen@adobeforums.com]

Jason, if you have been sending them off to have them done up to this point, they are probably doing a large chunk of it by hand... If this is the case and you wish to maintain the same level of quality, you're probably going to have to get real comfy with the pen tool... I redraw logos and various kinds of artwork all day long (literally) and at least 85% of everything that crosses my desk has to be at least partially redrawn in Illustrator by hand (including some typefaces)... Programs like Streamline can make your job a little easier but for clear, clean art, there currently is no substitute for skill and patience.

[Unregistered]

It is my experience how to convert ( jpg, peng, bmp,... ) to vector in AI. adobe Illustrator CS5. Another version maybe similar.

1-import picture as you want
2-select on it and then Select ----->Object ----> Live Trace ---> Tract Option ( "select Mode= Color" , "Max=256 ") It work depend on your RAM also if your RAM small cant render. ---> Click on button Trace.
3- and then you will be back in window of AI. ----> Object----> Live Paint----> Make.

try it :)

[Unregistered]

I dont know of any special plug in, but I do know of a service that I have found helpful. Its called copyartwork.com. They redraw jpegs and give them back in vector form.

[Rocket Surgeon]

Try a search for "vector + bitmap". It's not rocket surgery.

Or brain science! LOL

[Unregistered]

It is my experience how to convert ( jpg, peng, bmp,... ) to vector in AI. adobe Illustrator CS5. Another version maybe similar.

1-import picture as you want
2-select on it and then Select ----->Object ----> Live Trace ---> Tract Option ( "select Mode= Color" , "Max=256 ") It work depend on your RAM also if your RAM small cant render. ---> Click on button Trace.
3- and then you will be back in window of AI. ----> Object----> Live Paint----> Make.

try it :)

I can't even begin to thank you enough - this worked for me, and saved me from re-doing a giant project in AI - thank you!!!

[Hobittual]

I can't believe that the so called experts on this forum prefer to give condescending and totally unhelpful answers. If you are fed up of answering "obvious" questions all the time. Just don't answer them. All you do is encourage arguments and bad feeling between posters.
I think you are probably American teenagers anyhow.