Convert Any Photo Into Vector Graphics! (Photoshop & Illustrator Tutorial)

Charley Pangus
20 Sept 202206:03

TLDRIn this tutorial, you'll learn how to convert a photo from Unsplash into a vector graphic using Photoshop and Illustrator. The video walks you through unlocking the background layer, removing the background with Adobe AI, enhancing details with Camera Raw Filter, and applying the Stamp effect. Finally, you'll import the image into Illustrator, use Image Trace to refine the vector, and prepare it for printing on various backgrounds. This simplified process makes it easy to create stunning vector graphics for any project.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Use unsplash.com to find a photo and import it into Photoshop for editing.
  • 🔓 Double-click the background layer to unlock it for further manipulation.
  • 🚫 Utilize Adobe AI's 'remove background' feature to eliminate unwanted backgrounds.
  • 🖌 Fix any remaining background issues with the lasso tool or pen tool.
  • 🔵 Add a white background layer to prepare the image for vector conversion.
  • ✅ Copy the image using a shortcut or through the Edit menu for pasting.
  • 🖥 Switch to Illustrator and use the 'Image Trace' feature to convert the image to vector format.
  • 🔧 Adjust the 'Image Trace' settings, such as 'Advanced' and 'Threshold', to refine the vector image.
  • 🔲 Select 'Ignore White' under options to create a transparent background for the vector image.
  • 🔲 Duplicate the vector layer and merge it with a black fill for a black background option.
  • 🌈 The final vector image can be used on any color background, even with added strokes for emphasis.

Q & A

  • What is the main objective of this tutorial?

    -The main objective is to teach how to convert a photo into a vector graphic using Photoshop and Illustrator.

  • Which website does the tutorial suggest for obtaining photos?

    -The tutorial suggests obtaining photos from unsplash.com.

  • What is the first step after importing the photo into Photoshop?

    -The first step is to unlock the background layer by double-clicking on it.

  • How does the tutorial recommend removing the background from the image?

    -The tutorial recommends using Adobe AI to remove the background and then refining it with the lasso tool or pen tool if necessary.

  • What should you do after removing the background?

    -Create a new white background layer, drag it below everything, and copy the merged image to get a flat image with a white background.

  • Which filter should be applied in Photoshop to begin the vectorization process?

    -The 'Stamp' filter should be applied from the filter gallery.

  • How can you enhance the details of the image in Photoshop before vectorizing?

    -Use the Camera Raw filter to adjust exposure, shadows, highlights, and clarity.

  • What is the purpose of setting the foreground to black and the background to white?

    -Setting the foreground to black and the background to white is necessary for the 'Stamp' filter effect to work properly.

  • How do you transfer the edited image from Photoshop to Illustrator?

    -Copy the image from Photoshop and paste it into a pre-set 10x10 inch document in Illustrator.

  • What are the key adjustments to make in the Image Trace panel in Illustrator?

    -Adjust settings like detail, noise, and threshold to refine the vector graphic. Additionally, select 'Ignore White' to remove the white background.

  • How can you ensure the vector graphic looks good on different colored backgrounds?

    -Duplicate the layer, use the Pathfinder tool to merge and unite shapes, and overlay the graphic on different backgrounds, adjusting as necessary.

  • What is a potential final step to enhance the appearance of the vector graphic on a black background?

    -Add a white stroke to the vector graphic to make it stand out against the black background.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Vector Graphics Creation from Photos

This paragraph introduces a tutorial on converting a photo into a vector graphic using Adobe Illustrator. The process begins with selecting a photo from unsplash.com and importing it into Photoshop. The background is removed using Adobe AI, and a white background layer is added. The image is then prepared for the vector effect by setting the foreground and background colors to black and white respectively. The Filter Gallery is used to enhance the image details, and the 'stamp' filter is applied. The tutorial also covers adjusting the light-dark balance and smoothness for the desired effect. Finally, the image is copied and pasted into a new Illustrator document where it is traced to create a vector image. The image trace panel is used to refine the vector details, and the 'ignore white' option is selected to achieve a transparent background.

05:01

🖤 Adding a Black Background for Contrast

The second paragraph focuses on how to add a black background to the vector image for better contrast and visual impact. The process involves duplicating the vector layer and using the Pathfinder Options to merge the shapes and fill them with black. The black shape is then used as an underlay to the original vector image, creating a striking visual effect. The tutorial also explains how to center the black shape to the original and adjust the layer order. Additionally, the presenter demonstrates how to add a white stroke to the white background for extra emphasis and how this technique allows the vector image to stand out on any color shirt, making it suitable for printing on various colored materials.

Mindmap

Objective: Convert a photo into a vector graphic
Software Used: Photoshop and Illustrator
Tutorial Overview
Simplified Process
Enhanced Techniques
Improvements
Introduction
Source: Unsplash.com
Importing Photos into Photoshop
Photo Selection
Unlocking Background Layer
Using Adobe AI for Background Removal
Manual Touch-ups with Lasso or Pen Tool
Background Removal
Creating a New Layer
Setting Contents to White
Layer Arrangement
White Background Addition
Color Settings for Effect
Filter Gallery Adjustments
Camera Raw Filter for Detail Enhancement
Image Preparation
Adjusting Light and Dark Balance
Smoothness Level Modification
Detail and Smoothness Balancing
Image Tracing
Image Trace Panel for Refinement
Advanced Settings for Noise and Threshold
Vectorization in Illustrator
Ignore White Option
Creating a Transparent Background
Background Transparency
Expanding the Vector Shape
Pathfinder Options for Layer Merging
Stroke Addition for Contrast
Finalizing the Vector Image
Printing on Different Backgrounds
Layer Duplication for Color Backgrounds
Shape Centering and Background Adjustment
Application of Vector Image
Simplicity of the Process
Offering Help in the Comments
Additional Resources: Redesigning an Amazon Shirt
Conclusion
Name: Charlie Pingus
Sign-off: Catching Up in the Next Video
Presenter Information
Vector Graphics Conversion Tutorial
Alert

Keywords

💡Vector Graphics

Vector graphics are a type of digital image that uses mathematical equations to define the shapes and lines that make up the image. This allows for high-quality scalability without loss of detail, which is ideal for designs that need to be used at various sizes. In the video, the process of converting a raster image (a photo) into a vector graphic is demonstrated using Adobe Illustrator, which is a common software for creating and editing vector images.

💡Unsplash.com

Unsplash is a popular website that provides high-resolution, royalty-free images that can be used for various purposes, including commercial use. In the context of the video, the presenter mentions using Unsplash to source a photo that will be turned into a vector graphic, highlighting the utility of the platform for designers and content creators.

💡Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a widely used software for image editing and manipulation. It is often the first step in the process of converting a photo into a vector graphic, as it allows for tasks such as removing the background of an image. In the video, the presenter uses Photoshop to prepare the photo before importing it into Illustrator for vectorization.

💡Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor that is used to create and edit vector images. It is a crucial tool in the process described in the video, as it allows the user to trace the imported raster image and convert it into a vector format. The presenter demonstrates the use of Illustrator's Image Trace feature to achieve the desired vector graphic.

💡Remove Background

Removing the background from an image is a common task in graphic design that allows the subject of the image to stand out without distractions. In the video, the presenter uses the 'Remove Background' feature in Adobe Illustrator to prepare the photo for vectorization, which simplifies the image and makes the conversion process more effective.

💡Lasso Tool

The Lasso Tool in Photoshop is a selection tool that allows users to manually draw a selection around an object in an image. It is used in the video to make fine adjustments to the background removal process, ensuring that the subject (the bird) is cleanly separated from the background.

💡White Background

Adding a white background to an image is a simple way to ensure that the subject stands out and that the image can be easily placed over various backgrounds without any issues. In the video, the presenter adds a white background layer to the image in Photoshop before proceeding with the vectorization process.

💡Camera Raw Filter

The Camera Raw filter in Photoshop is used for non-destructive editing of images, allowing users to adjust various aspects of the image such as exposure, shadows, and clarity. In the video, the presenter uses the Camera Raw filter to enhance the details of the bird, making it more suitable for the vectorization process.

💡Image Trace

Image Trace is a feature in Adobe Illustrator that automatically converts raster images into vector format. It uses various settings to determine how the image is traced, allowing for a balance between detail and simplicity. The presenter uses Image Trace to convert the imported photo into a vector graphic in the video.

💡Threshold

In the context of vectorization, the threshold determines the level at which the software distinguishes between the lines and the background in the image. A higher threshold will result in thicker and fewer lines, while a lower threshold will produce thinner and more detailed lines. The presenter discusses adjusting the threshold in Illustrator to achieve the desired level of detail in the vector graphic.

💡Ignore White

The 'Ignore White' option in Illustrator's Image Trace panel is used to remove white areas from the traced image, creating a transparent background instead. This is useful for images that are intended to be used over various backgrounds. In the video, the presenter selects 'Ignore White' to ensure that the final vector graphic has a transparent background.

💡Pathfinder Options

The Pathfinder Options in Illustrator are tools that allow users to create complex shapes by combining, subtracting, or intersecting existing shapes. In the video, the presenter uses the Pathfinder Options to merge the traced vector shapes of the bird into a single shape, which can then be filled with a color for different background applications.

Highlights

The tutorial demonstrates how to convert a photo into a vector graphic using Adobe Illustrator.

A photo from unsplash.com is used as the starting point for the vector conversion process.

Photoshop is utilized alongside Illustrator to achieve the final vector graphic.

The background of the photo is removed using Adobe AI's remove background feature.

The lasso tool or pen tool can be used to make manual adjustments to the image.

A white background layer is added to the image for contrast.

The image is copied and pasted into a new document with a white background.

Filter Gallery's 'stamp' feature is used to enhance the image details.

Camera Raw Filter is applied to adjust exposure, shadows, and clarity.

The light-dark balance slider is used to adjust the image's detail level.

Smoothness is increased to remove unwanted textures from the image.

The image is copied into a new Illustrator document for vectorization.

Image Trace is used in Illustrator to convert the raster image to a vector.

The Image Trace panel allows for further refinement of the vector image.

Noise can be added or removed to achieve the desired vector graphic style.

The threshold setting determines the thickness and darkness of the vector lines.

Ignoring white creates a transparent background for the vector image.

The vector graphic can be expanded and manipulated for various applications.

A black background can be created by duplicating the vector layer and merging shapes.

The vector image can be printed on shirts of various colors with a striking effect.

Adding a white underbase and stroke can make the vector graphic pop on any background color.

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