Adobe Illustrator VECTORIZE Tutorial (Image Trace) Ai Art

Philip Anders
28 Feb 202408:49

TLDRIn this tutorial, the presenter demonstrates how to vectorize AI art using Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature. They start with a pixelated JPEG image and guide viewers through the process of opening the Image Trace panel and selecting the appropriate preset for their artwork. The video discusses various presets, emphasizing that 'High Fidelity' and 'Low Fidelity Photo' are better for photos, while '3 Colors,' '6 Colors,' and '16 Colors' are more suitable for graphics with colors. The presenter then delves into advanced settings, explaining the effects of path fitting, corner angles, noise reduction, and simplifying the graphic. They also highlight the 'Ignore Color' feature to remove unwanted background colors. The video concludes with a comparison to Vectorizer AI, noting its superior results but higher cost, and suggests Adobe Illustrator as a free alternative despite its limitations. The presenter encourages viewers to experiment with settings to achieve the best results for their specific graphics.

Takeaways

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ To vectorize an image in Adobe Illustrator, open the Image Trace panel and select the image to be vectorized.
  • 🌟 The default preset may not be ideal for printing, so it's important to choose the right preset for your image.
  • 🎨 For color graphics, the High Fidelity and Low Fidelity Photo presets can capture a lot of detail and colors.
  • πŸ“ˆ The number of colors in the image can be adjusted with a slider for a more suitable result.
  • πŸ” Advanced settings like Path Fitting and Corners can be fine-tuned by hovering over the sliders to understand their effects.
  • βš™οΈ Path Fitting adjusts the tightness of the vector paths, while Corners determines the sharpness of the edges.
  • πŸ”§ Noise reduction can smooth out jagged edges but should be balanced to retain important details.
  • 🧹 The Simplify feature reduces the number of anchor points, which can help in tidying up the graphic for easier editing.
  • πŸ–Œ The Ignore Color feature allows you to remove a specific color, such as a background, from the vectorized image.
  • ➑️ After vectorization, use 'Object > Image Trace > Expand' to finalize the vector graphic for further editing.
  • πŸ’° Vectorizer AI offers superior results but is a paid tool, whereas Adobe Illustrator provides a free alternative, albeit with some limitations.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the Image Trace panel in Adobe Illustrator?

    -The Image Trace panel in Adobe Illustrator is used to convert raster images (like JPEGs) into vector graphics, which can be scaled without losing quality.

  • What is the default preset in the Image Trace panel and why is it not suitable for print on demand (POD)?

    -The default preset in the Image Trace panel turns the image into a black and white graphic. It's not suitable for POD because it doesn't capture the original image's colors, which are often necessary for high-quality printing.

  • What are the High Fidelity and Low Fidelity photo presets used for?

    -High Fidelity and Low Fidelity photo presets are used when vectorizing photographs. They attempt to pick up as much detail and color as possible, making them suitable for detailed images but not ideal for simple designs or logos.

  • Which presets are recommended for vectorizing graphics with colors?

    -For vectorizing graphics with colors, the 3 Colors, 6 Colors, and 16 Colors presets are recommended. They provide a balance between detail and color that works well for most designs.

  • How can you adjust the number of colors in the vectorized image?

    -You can adjust the number of colors in the vectorized image by using the color slider in the Image Trace panel. Moving the slider to the right increases the number of colors, while moving it to the left decreases the color count.

  • What does the 'Path Fitting' slider control in the advanced settings of Image Trace?

    -The 'Path Fitting' slider controls the tightness of the vector paths created by the Image Trace. A higher value results in a tighter fit to the original image, while a lower value makes the paths smoother but may lose some detail.

  • How does the 'Corners' slider affect the vectorized image?

    -The 'Corners' slider determines the sharpness of the corners in the vectorized image. A higher value creates more sharp edges, while a lower value results in more rounded and smooth corners.

  • What is the role of the 'Noise' slider in the Image Trace process?

    -The 'Noise' slider controls the amount of jagged edges or irregularities in the vectorized image. A higher value reduces noise, leading to smoother edges, while a lower value can result in a more detailed but potentially messier image.

  • What does the 'Simplify' feature do in the Image Trace panel?

    -The 'Simplify' feature reduces the number of anchor points in the vectorized image, which can help to tidy up the graphic and make it easier to edit. However, setting it too low can distort the image.

  • How can you remove a specific color, like a background, using the Image Trace feature?

    -You can remove a specific color by using the 'Ignore Color' feature in the Image Trace panel. You can select the color you want to ignore using the Color Picker tool, and Illustrator will exclude that color from the vectorization process.

  • What is the final step after using the Image Trace feature?

    -The final step is to go to 'Object > Image Trace > Expand'. This converts the traced image into an actual vector, allowing you to use the Direct Selection tool for further edits and adjustments.

  • How does the Image Trace feature in Adobe Illustrator compare to Vectorizer AI?

    -While Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature is a powerful tool, Vectorizer AI offers superior results with less manual adjustment. However, Vectorizer AI is a paid tool, whereas Adobe Illustrator is included in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Vectorizing AI Art with Adobe Illustrator

The video begins with the host demonstrating how to vectorize a pixelated JPEG image using Adobe Illustrator. They open the Image Trace panel and explain the process of tracing the image, which initially results in a black and white graphic. The host then discusses various presets available for different types of images, such as logos, sketches, and photographs. They highlight that for colored graphics, the High Fidelity and Low Fidelity Photo presets are not ideal. Instead, they recommend starting with the 16 colors preset, which provides a better result for printing. The host also details how to adjust the number of colors using a slider and explores advanced settings like path fitting, corner adjustment, and noise reduction to refine the vectorized image. They emphasize the importance of finding a balance between these settings to maintain detail while achieving a smooth result.

05:02

πŸ–ŒοΈ Refining Vectorization with Advanced Settings

The host continues by discussing the importance of the 'Simplify' feature, which reduces the number of anchor points in the graphic, making it easier to edit. They caution against setting it too low to avoid distorting the image. The video also covers the 'Ignore Color' function, which allows the user to select a specific color to be ignored during the vectorization process, effectively removing the background. The host compares the results of Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature with Vectorizer AI, noting that while Vectorizer AI provides smoother and more accurate results, it has become a paid tool. They conclude by suggesting that Adobe Illustrator is a viable alternative for vectorizing images, despite not being as refined as Vectorizer AI. The host also mentions that they will explore a free alternative to Vectorizer AI in a subsequent video.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Vectorize

The process of converting a raster image (made of pixels) into a vector image (made of paths). In the video, vectorizing is the main technique used to transform a pixelated JPEG image into a format suitable for printing and other scalable uses. The term is central to the video's theme, as it is the primary action being demonstrated.

πŸ’‘Adobe Illustrator

A vector graphics editing software used for creating and manipulating vector images. In the context of the video, Adobe Illustrator is the tool being used to vectorize the AI art. It is the platform where all the discussed techniques and settings are applied.

πŸ’‘Image Trace Panel

A feature within Adobe Illustrator that provides options for converting raster images to vector graphics. The panel is essential in the video as it houses the presets and settings used to control the vectorization process.

πŸ’‘Presets

Predefined settings within the Image Trace Panel of Adobe Illustrator that determine how the vectorization process will be applied to an image. The video discusses different presets like 'High Fidelity Photo', 'Low Fidelity Photo', '16 Colors', etc., and their suitability for various types of images.

πŸ’‘Path Fitting

A setting in the Image Trace Panel that controls the smoothness and accuracy of the vector paths generated. A higher path fitting value results in a tighter fit to the original image, while a lower value makes the paths smoother but potentially less accurate. This term is used in the video to explain how to achieve the right balance between detail and smoothness in the vectorized image.

πŸ’‘Corners

A setting that determines the sharpness of the corners in the vectorized image. In the video, adjusting the 'Corners' setting is shown to affect the smoothness and the definition of the edges, which is important for the final appearance of the graphic, especially for printing purposes.

πŸ’‘Noise

A term referring to the jagged or rough edges in a vectorized image that can occur when the original raster image has complex details. The 'Noise' setting in the video is used to reduce these imperfections and smooth out the vector paths, which is crucial for a clean and professional look in the final vector image.

πŸ’‘Simplify

A feature that reduces the number of anchor points in a vector image, which can help streamline the graphic for easier editing and a cleaner final result. In the video, the 'Simplify' setting is discussed as a way to tidy up the vectorized image without losing essential details.

πŸ’‘Ignore Color

An option in the Image Trace Panel that allows a specific color to be ignored or made transparent during the vectorization process. The video demonstrates how to use the 'Ignore Color' feature to remove an unwanted background color, which is a practical technique for preparing images for print or other uses.

πŸ’‘Vectorizer AI

A software tool mentioned in the video that is used for vectorizing images. It is described as providing superior results compared to Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature, but it is also noted as being a paid tool. Vectorizer AI is presented as an alternative for those seeking higher quality vectorization.

πŸ’‘Expand

The final step in the vectorization process within Adobe Illustrator where the traced image is expanded into a full vector format. This allows for further editing and adjustments to the paths using tools like the Direct Selection Tool. 'Expand' is a crucial step to finalize the vector image for use.

Highlights

Demonstration of vectorizing AI art using Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature.

Opening a simple, pixelated JPEG image in Illustrator.

Accessing the Image Trace panel for vectorization.

Default preset results in a black and white graphic unsuitable for print-on-demand.

Overview of different presets and their suitability for various design needs.

High Fidelity and Low Fidelity presets for vectorizing photographs.

Three, six, and sixteen colors presets are useful for graphics with colors.

Adjusting the number of colors using the color slider for better results.

Entering advanced settings for fine-tuning the vectorization process.

Path fitting slider controls the tightness of the vector paths.

Corners slider to add or reduce sharp edges in the vector image.

Noise slider to reduce jagged edges and improve smoothness.

Simplify feature to reduce the number of anchor points for easier editing.

Ignoring a specific color, such as the background, during the vectorization process.

Expanding the vectorized image to edit paths and achieve a true vector format.

Comparison of Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace with Vectorizer AI for better results.

Vectorizer AI's superior performance in handling complex details.

The cost of Vectorizer AI and its subscription-based pricing model.

Alternatives to Vectorizer AI, including free options with good settings and features.

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