Learn how to convertbitmapsinto vectors andPNG filesintoSVG filesusing Illustrator.
Instructions in this article apply to Adobe Illustrator CS6 and later, including Illustrator CC 2020.
What Is the Illustrator Image Trace Tool?
When converting an image into vectors, the areas of contiguous colors are converted into solid shapes.
If you mess up, you’ve got the option to undo recent changes by pressingCtrl+ZorCmd+Z.
To restore the image to its last saved state, selectFile>Revert.
After placing the image, click it, then go to theIllustrator Propertiespanel.
In theQuick Actionssection, selectImage Trace.
If the Properties panel isn’t visible, selectWindow>Properties.
Select a trace method from the drop-down menu to begin tracing.
When it’s finished, the image converts into a series of vector paths.
In thePropertiespanel, go to theQuick Actionssection and selectExpandto see the series of paths.
SelectObject>Path>Simplify.
Use the sliders in the panel to reduce the number of points and curves in the traced image.
With the trace completed, you may want to remove portions of it.
In this example, we want the cow without the background.
Switch to theDirect Selectiontool and opt for background shapes, then pressDeleteon the keyboard to remove those shapes.
When you selectObject>Image Trace, you have two options:MakeandMake and Expand.
The second choice traces and then shows you the paths.
There’s also aPresetdrop-down menu where you choose the color mode and the palette to be used.
it’s possible for you to modify the tracing result in theAdvancedoptions.
The Method options determine how the paths are created.
You have two choices.
The first is abutting, which means the paths bump into each other.
The other is overlapping, which means the paths are laid over each other.
