Vectorize Image in Illustrator

Mind Island Design
25 Aug 201903:10

TLDRIn this tutorial, Bobby demonstrates the process of vectorizing an image in Adobe Illustrator. Starting with a pixelated monkey image, he guides viewers through selecting the image and using the 'Trace' button to vectorize it with color options. After experimenting with the 'Six Colors' and 'High Fidelity Photo' options, he settles on 'Low Fidelity' for a closer resemblance to the original. He then shows how to expand the traced image, adjust any imperfections by selecting and tweaking points, and remove the background using the Direct Selection Tool and Shape Builder Tool. The result is a clean vectorized image of the monkey, which Bobby presents as the final product of the vectorization process.

Takeaways

  • 🖼️ To vectorize an image in Illustrator, first select the image and use the 'Image Trace' button.
  • 🎨 Choose the 'Colors' option to preserve the original colors of the image.
  • 🔍 Zoom in to check the vectorized image for smooth edges and any warping.
  • 👀 If the eyes or other details are warped, undo and try different options.
  • 📈 The 'High Fidelity Photo' option provides the most detail but can distort the original image.
  • 🔻 'Low Fidelity' is often a better choice for maintaining the original image's integrity.
  • 🔄 After tracing, use 'Expand' to finalize the vectorization process.
  • 📌 To adjust minor imperfections, select and manually tweak the points.
  • ✂️ Remove the background by using the 'Direct Selection Tool' and deleting unwanted paths.
  • 🖱️ If the path doesn't delete properly, use the 'Shape Builder Tool' with the option key to remove it.
  • 🌟 The final step is to ensure the image is clean and the background is fully removed for a polished vectorized image.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is how to vectorize an image in Adobe Illustrator.

  • Why is the image of the monkey initially unsuitable for vectorization?

    -The image of the monkey is initially unsuitable for vectorization because it is pixelated, not a vector image.

  • What is the first step in vectorizing an image in Illustrator?

    -The first step is to select the image you want to vectorize and use the 'Image Trace' button with the appropriate options.

  • How does Bobby decide on the number of colors to use in the vectorization process?

    -Bobby decides on the number of colors by observing the original image and counting the distinct colors present in the monkey.

  • What is the issue with using the 'High Fidelity Photo' option?

    -The 'High Fidelity Photo' option provides the most detail but often warps and discolorizes the original image, which is why Bobby rarely uses it.

  • What option does Bobby find to be the best for vectorizing the monkey's image?

    -Bobby finds the 'Low Fidelity' option to be the best for vectorizing the monkey's image as it maintains the original look with minimal distortion.

  • What does the 'Expand' function do in Illustrator?

    -The 'Expand' function in Illustrator converts the vectorized image into a set of editable paths and shapes, allowing for further adjustments and manipulations.

  • How can one fix minor disfigurations in the traced image?

    -One can fix minor disfigurations by selecting the points that need adjustment and manually tweaking them to match the original image.

  • How does Bobby remove the background from the vectorized image?

    -Bobby uses the Direct Selection Tool to select the background and deletes it. If it doesn't work, he uses the Shape Builder Tool with the Option key to remove unwanted paths.

  • Why might the path not be removed correctly when trying to delete the background?

    -Sometimes the path might not be removed correctly due to the intricacies of the image or the specific areas of the image that are difficult to select accurately.

  • What is the final result of the process shown in the video?

    -The final result is a nicely vectorized image of the monkey with smooth edges and a clean background, ready for further editing or use in design projects.

  • What does Bobby hope to achieve by showing this process?

    -Bobby hopes to help viewers understand how to vectorize an image in Illustrator and provide them with the skills to do so effectively.

Outlines

00:00

🖌️ Vectorizing an Image in Illustrator

Bobby introduces the process of vectorizing an image in Adobe Illustrator. He starts with a pixelated image of a monkey and guides viewers through the steps to convert it into a vector format. The first step involves selecting the image and using the 'Trace' button with the '6 colors' option to maintain the original colors. However, he encounters issues with the eyes warping. He then tries the 'High Fidelity Photo' option but finds it distorts the original image, so he opts for the 'Low Fidelity' option which gives a better result, although it requires some manual adjustments. He then uses the 'Expand' function to finalize the vectorization and corrects minor imperfections by manually selecting and adjusting points. To remove the background, he uses the 'Direct Selection Tool' and the 'Shape Builder Tool' to delete unwanted paths. The video concludes with a clean vectorized image of the monkey.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Vectorize

The process of converting a raster image (composed of pixels) into a vector image (composed of paths). In the video, Bobby demonstrates how to vectorize an image in Adobe Illustrator, which is essential for creating scalable graphics that maintain quality at any size.

💡Adobe Illustrator

A vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. It is widely used by professionals in the field of graphic design for creating logos, illustrations, and other vector-based artwork. In the script, Illustrator is the software Bobby uses to vectorize the monkey image.

💡Pixelized

Refers to an image that is made up of pixels, which are small square blocks that form the image when viewed from a distance. Pixelization can result in a loss of detail when images are enlarged. In the video, the monkey image is initially pixelized before being vectorized.

💡Trace

A feature in Illustrator that automatically creates vector shapes from a raster image. Bobby uses the 'Trace' button to convert the pixelated monkey image into a vector format, which is a crucial step in vectorization.

💡Color Options

When vectorizing an image, the number of colors can affect the final result. Bobby mentions selecting 'six colors' to maintain the original look of the monkey while vectorizing, which is an important consideration for preserving the image's integrity.

💡High Fidelity

A term used to describe a vectorization option that aims to preserve the most detail from the original image. However, Bobby notes that it can sometimes warp and discolor the image, which is why he doesn't prefer using this option for the monkey image.

💡Low Fidelity

An alternative vectorization option that provides less detail than high fidelity, but often results in a more accurate representation of the original image. Bobby finds this option better for the monkey image, as it maintains the eyes' appearance with only minor adjustments needed.

💡Expand

An Illustrator command that expands the appearance of a vector object into its actual editable form. After vectorizing the monkey image, Bobby uses the 'Expand' command to make the vector shapes editable for further adjustments.

💡Direct Selection Tool

A tool in Illustrator used to select and manipulate individual anchor points and paths within a vector object. Bobby uses this tool to remove the background of the vectorized image by selecting and deleting unwanted paths.

💡Shape Builder Tool

A tool that allows users to add or subtract areas of color within a vector image by simply clicking or dragging. Bobby uses the Shape Builder Tool with an option key to remove a portion of the path that wasn't deleted with the Direct Selection Tool.

💡Background Removal

The process of removing the background from an image to isolate the subject. In the video, Bobby demonstrates how to remove the background from the vectorized monkey image to prepare it for use in various design contexts.

Highlights

Bobby demonstrates how to vectorize an image in Adobe Illustrator.

The original image of a monkey is pixelated and not a vector image.

Select the image you want to vectorize using the 'Image Trace' button.

Choose the 'Colors' option to preserve the original colors of the image.

Experiment with the 'Six Colors' option for vectorization.

Notice smooth edges but warped eyes with the initial vectorization.

Undo the previous option and try the 'High Fidelity Photo' for more detail.

Avoid 'High Fidelity Photo' due to potential warping and discoloration.

Select 'Low Fidelity' for a better representation of the original image.

Adjust points and fix minor disfigurations using the direct selection tool.

Use 'Expand' to finalize the vectorized image.

Remove the background by using the 'Direct Selection Tool' and 'Delete'.

Show transparency grid to see the background clearly.

Use the 'Shape Builder Tool' to remove unwanted paths effectively.

Combining selection and Shape Builder Tool with 'Option + Delete' to remove specific areas.

Ensure the final vectorized image is clean and free from unwanted paths.

Final result is a nicely vectorized image of the monkey.

Bobby's tutorial provides a step-by-step guide for vectorizing images in Illustrator.

The process includes selecting, tracing, expanding, adjusting, and cleaning up the image.

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