To "extract" an image trace in Adobe Illustrator, which means converting the tracing result into editable vector paths, you need to use the Expand function after setting up your trace in the Image Trace panel.
Image tracing in Illustrator allows you to convert raster images (like JPEGs or PNGs) into vector artwork that you can resize without losing quality and edit using Illustrator's tools.
Detailed Steps for Extracting Image Trace in Illustrator
Follow these steps to trace an image and then extract the vector paths:
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Open Your Image:
- Go to the Illustrator menu and select File > Open.
- Choose your desired image file from your computer and click Open.
- Your image will appear in your Illustrator document.
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Open the Image Trace Panel:
- With your Illustrator document open, go to the menu bar.
- Select Window > Image Trace.
- This will open the Image Trace panel, which contains all the settings and tools you'll need.
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Select Your Image:
- Ensure that the image you want to trace is selected on your artboard. You can select it using the Selection Tool (the black arrow).
- With the image selected and the Image Trace window open, the panel will become active, allowing you to adjust settings.
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Adjust Image Trace Settings:
- In the Image Trace panel, you can choose from various preset tracing modes (like Sketched Art, Low Fidelity Photo, Black and White Logo) or customize settings like Threshold, Paths, Corners, Noise, etc.
- Check the Preview box at the bottom of the panel to see how your changes affect the trace in real-time.
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Trace the Image:
- Once you're happy with the settings, click the Trace button within the Image Trace panel. Illustrator will process the image based on your settings.
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Expand the Trace (The "Extraction" Step):
- The traced result is currently a "Live Trace" object, meaning the original image and trace settings are still linked. To convert this into editable vector paths, you must Expand it.
- Look at the top control bar (below the menu bar) or go to Object > Image Trace > Expand.
- Clicking Expand converts the traced object into a group of standard Illustrator vector shapes.
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Ungroup and Edit (Optional):
- After expanding, the resulting vector paths are often grouped.
- To edit individual shapes or colors, right-click on the expanded object and select Ungroup, or go to Object > Ungroup. You may need to ungroup multiple times.
- Now you can select, move, recolor, or modify any part of the traced artwork using Illustrator's tools like the Direct Selection Tool (the white arrow).
Understanding the Image Trace Panel
As mentioned in the reference, "All the tools you'll need are in the Image Trace panel menu." This panel is your central hub for controlling the tracing process.
- Presets: Quick options for different tracing styles.
- View: How you see the trace result (e.g., Tracing Result, Outline, Source Image).
- Mode: Choose between Black and White, Grayscale, or Color tracing.
- Palette: For Color mode, determines how many colors are used.
- Advanced: Opens up detailed controls for Paths, Corners, Noise, Methods (Abutting/Overlapping), and how to handle whitespace.
Why Expand?
Stage | Description | Result | Editability of Paths |
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Live Trace | Image is linked, trace settings are adjustable. | Single object controlled by Image Trace panel. | None (edit settings) |
Expanded | Conversion to standard vector shapes occurs. | Grouped paths and fills. | Yes (edit points, fill, stroke) |
Expanding turns the dynamic Live Trace object into static, editable vector artwork, allowing for detailed manipulation.
Tips for Better Tracing
- Use high-resolution source images for cleaner results.
- Experiment with different presets in the Image Trace panel.
- Fine-tune advanced settings like Threshold (for Black and White), Paths, Corners, and Noise to get the desired level of detail.
- Consider the Method (Abutting fills area completely; Overlapping can create stacked shapes).
- Use the Ignore White option if you don't want white areas converted into shapes.
By following these steps, particularly the crucial Expand stage after setting up your trace in the Image Trace panel as described in the reference, you can successfully convert your raster images into editable vector artwork in Illustrator.