Convert jpg or bmp to an editable line drawing

[tamba1]

Hi

I am new to illustrator and trying to get the hang of it..

I dont know the technical terms for this

Basically I have a bmp & jpg file ( line drawing) that I want to bring into illustrator - trace and edit ...

I'm looking to change stroketype\thickness & colour maybe fill some areas etc

I have been TRYING to do this and am making all sorts of mistakes..getting n a real mess .. keep gogin back to start again..

Having fiddled around this is what I have done

New Doc
Opened bmp image in illustrator
Created new layer
Traced Object) Object\Live Trace \Make & expand
New layer
Ungroup

and now can edit it

BUT it is looking very messy - I am just wanting a crisp black outline image for now

I look forward to your replies
many thanks
tamba1

 

[tamba1]

Sorry meant to add I am using Illustrator CS2

thanks
tamba1

 

[apepp]

...the trace function is dependant on the image contrast/quality you have and the settings you are using...

...can you post the image to a web link you are trying to trace?

Andrew

 

[tamba1]

HI Andre sure I couls... can you tell em how I attach files in this forum

Many Thanks
tamba1

 

[apepp]

...you need web space to do this, often provided by ISP's who provide internet access for people, and to also create web pages...

...another alternative is to use imageshack here:

http://imageshack.us/

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...here is another you could try:

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/

Andrew

 

[tamba1]

Hi Andrew


Ahah now I understand - sorry have not done this before and could not find anywhere in this forum to attach files...

Thanks for the advice

Ok have loaded examples of the files into my picturetrail acct -

http://www.picturetrail.com/tamba_designs

as I said in my post they are VERY simple images .. I am making a Birthday Card for my nephew ..

After more "playing" this is what I have been doing.. but as I said earlier I welcome ANY advice ...as I would like to get to grips with illustrator..Doing this does enable me to change the outline BUT I woudl like to be able to fill areas with colour too if possible..

Also any tips on drawing these images in illustrator woudld be welcomed too...

Many thanks
tamba1

 

[apepp]

...your images are fine for tracing, i have tried one with the the black and white logo settings, enabled strokes on...


...after the trace you can select the expanded trace with the select tool and then use the live paint tool to then fill areas...

...the live paint tool is third from bottom on the left of the tool palette...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...with this screen shot, i have first in photoshop converted the image to a 1 bit image at 300dpi, doing this will often yield a better trace...

...if you have higher res versions than the ones on the link you posted then use those, convert them to 1bit images and then place them in illy and trace using the black and white logo preset...

...or try experimenting with the other presets, mine is with the black and white logo preset without any adjustments, then filled with color using the live paint feature...

http://www.zen63258.zen.co.uk/tek/livetrace.jpg

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...the alternative to live tracing images is to use the pen tool or if you are good with the mouse use the pencil tool...

...have two layers for this, the placed image on the bottom layer, make this layer locked...

...on a layer above start manually tracing with the pen tool or pencil tool...

...so long as you have defined areas, closed, you can use the live paint tool to color those areas...

Andrew

 

[tamba1]

Hi Andrew

WOW thanks so much for making all this effort - yes that is what I am trying to do ..

So by following your instructions I will be able to click on areas of the image and "fill them in"?

I followed your instructions
Started off with Monster at 300DPI


Used: Object\Live Trace\Tracing Options with Black and white logo presetand strokes on

Used: Object\Live Trace\Expand

Got my monster - BUT lost his left eyeball somehow???? any ideas I did this 3 times got same result each time I've posted apic on my picturetrail site

Managed to use Live Paint - bucket for solid fill but how do I get a gradient fill eg orange to yellow using live Paint ?

Finally I have gone to print preview and my image is TINY in illustrator - how do I resize it...

Some other qs for you


2. Re in future Startng with Higher res images- is there a res you would recommened.. the final image is NOT going to be big approx 7 cm at widest point maybe BUT if I do this properly now with high enough res now then I guess it is going to be to scale down than up..for futire projects?


3. Don't laugh but could you also tell me how to I draw a sold scalloped square .. ( basially a square with a scalloped edge?)

Thanks VERY much for your help what a wonderful forum this is ..
tamba1

 

[apepp]

...with my test of the image from your uploaded picture site, i first resampled the image to 300dpi in photoshop, then converted it to greyscale and then to bitmap using 50% threshold, this isn't always necessary with all images, but i just found it helped the trace...

...you may find that using the default trace settings adequate. With the monster losing his eye, i tried it here, resampled the resolution to 300dpi, placed it in illustrator, used the default settings and all looked OK...

...try adjusting the threshold value down if you find a trace needs some help...

...for gradients and the live paint tool, create the gradient first in the gradient palette...

...drag the gradient to the swatches, select the live paint tool and whilst with the gradient selected click on an area...

...for more controlled gradients you may find it better to use the gradient tool (fifth one up from bottom on the right of the tool palette)...

...with this tool you can specify a different start and end point for the gradient, select the area first with the white arrow (direct select tool) and then use the gradient tool to customize that area...

...the live paint tool with gradients is a bit limited really...

...to resize, select the whole object with the select tool (black arrow), grab a handle on the corner and hold the shift key to constrain the scale...

...another way is to have the object selected and then double click the scale tool (sixth one down from the right hand side of the tool palette)...

...enter a uniform percentage, note the other options in this dialogue, scale stokes and effects is good to have on as a rule...

...when scaling manually, note the transform palette has the options to scale strokes and effects too, this is in the flyout menu of the transform palette...

...the general rule for image resolution is as follows:

600 - 1400dpi (at actual size required) for lineart images (such as your images, in this case you were tracing so this resolution isn't necessary)

280 - 300 dpi (at actual size required) for photographs or greyscale images

...often you can get better results from some lineart images by scanning in at 600 - 1400dpi (at actual size required) in greyscale mode and then adjusting the thresholds in photoshop afterwards...

...your vector traces are scalable to any size without loss of quality, but quality of vector images is dependent on the quality of the output device...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...rounded rectangles are created using the relevant tool, there are several ways but the most straight forward way is select the the 'rounded rectangle tool' (click and hold the mouse down on the square tool to get at it, below the text tool)...

...then click on your artboard area for a dialogue box to come up, type values as required...

...you can also round off square using the effect > stylize > round corners, enter a value, click on preview to see before committing. The advantage of this is you can adjust the corners at any time using the appearance palette...

...with the object selected, got to the appearance palette and double click on an effect to edit it...

...the appearance palette is pretty powerful...

Andrew

 

[tamba1]

Hi Andrew

Thanks so mcuh for helping me with this .. it has been quite a learning curve to go from no knowledge to "some" LOL..although no having FINALLY got the hang of these steps can see that it is really a very quick process ...

Fiddling around with the Auto trace settings was a challenge- I coudl only get the eye to appear when I tweaked MOST of the settings in the tracing options window.. but got there in the end.. threshold had to be VERY low in order to get the eyes

Dare I ask - how would I go about drawing this from scratch in illustrator ...

The more I have looked at the spikey monster the more I realise it should be quite simple as they are basic shapes..

Dont laugh but I was wondering about using a rectangle and breaking it at certain points..

Also re the gradients - are there any other gradients other than the linear and radial in lllustrator? and is it possible to move the "light source around" ..

Once again a VERY big thanks for helping me with this ...

If you have the time I have a q re Fot text to path - I have read LOTS of tutorials on using this feature with variosu path options.. but could not find one telling me how to create a wavy path ...please can you tell me agan step by step woudl be great ( if you have the time)

Many thanks again
tamba1

 

[tamba1]

Sorry Andrew forgot to say I have posted the monsters in the picturetrail site used earlier in this posting..

Many Thanks again
tamba1

 

[apepp]

>>> how would I go about drawing this from scratch in illustrator?

...the alternative to live tracing images is to use the pen tool or if you are good with the mouse use the pencil tool...

...have two layers for this, the placed image on the bottom layer, make this layer locked...

...on a layer above start manually tracing with the pen tool or pencil tool...

...so long as you have defined areas, closed, you can use the live paint tool to color those areas...

>>> are there any other gradients other than the linear and radial in lllustrator?

...yes, the mesh tool creates more organic gradients...


>>> is it possible to move the "light source around"

...with the basic gradient options use the gradient tool in the tool palette to define and adjust start and end points, click and drag on a selected object at different angles to get different results...


>>> how to create a wavy path?

...use the pen tool, or draw a staright line and bend it with the filter > distort > zig zag. Depends on how your wavy line is to appear on your design as to what method to use...

...use the type on path tool to create text on a custom line or edge of a shape...

Andrew