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Image Trace

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Image Trace lets you convert raster images (JPEG, PNG, PSD etc.) to vector artwork. Using this feature, you can easily base a new drawing on an existing piece of artwork by tracing it. For example, you can convert the image of a pencil sketch you've drawn on paper into vector artwork using Image Trace. You can choose from a set of tracing presets to get the desired result quickly.

Before and after tracing a raster image using tracing presets

A. Original image B. Tracing results using different presets 

Trace an image

Try it in-app!

Turn a hand-drawn sketch into vector artwork instantly in Illustrator.

Convert sketch to vector

  1. Open or place a raster image in your Illustrator document.

  2. With the placed image selected, do one of the following:

    • Choose Object > Image Trace > Create to trace with default parameters.
    • Choose Window > Image Trace and do one of the following:
      • Choose Trace to let Image Trace auto-detect the art type and apply the corresponding preset.
      • Choose a preset from the Preset drop-down menu and select Trace.
    Note:
    • In the Image Trace panel, enable Preview to see the results of your modifications. 
    • The resolution of your placed image determines the speed of the tracing.

  3. (Optional) Adjust the results of the tracing in the Image Trace panel (Window > Image Trace).

  4. To convert the tracing object to paths and to manually editing the vector artwork, choose Object > Image Trace > Expand.

For a video on tracing, see this how-to video on Image Trace.

Specify tracing options

When the image is selected, you can see that the options in the Image Trace panel become available. At the top of the panel are the basic options; you can expose additional options by turning the triangle next to the Advanced label.

Basic controls

Image Trace panel
Specify the basic options in the Image Trace panel to get the desired tracing result.

Preset

The Image Trace panel lets you select a preset for your image. These presets are accessible in the top drop-down menu.

Examples of tracing presets available in Image Trace panel
Examples of tracing presets available in Image Trace panel

A. Logo B. Photo C. Low Fidelity Photo D. Shades of Gray E. Sketch F. Line Art G. Silhouettes H. Technical Drawing I. 3 Colors J. 6 Colors K. 16 Colors 

Click the menu   to save the current settings as a new preset, or to delete or rename existing presets. For details, see Save a tracing preset.

View

Specifies the view of the traced object. A tracing object is made up of two components: the original source image and the tracing result (which is the vector artwork). You can choose to view the tracing result, source image, outlines, and other options. You can click the eye icon to overlay the selected view over the source image.

Choose a view of the traced object
Choose a view of the traced object

A. Tracing Result B. Tracing Result With Outlines C. Outlines D. Outlines With Source Image E. Source Image 

Mode

Specifies a color mode for the tracing result. The available options define basic color versus grayscale modes for your traced artwork.

You can select any one of the options:

Uses a small set of colors for the tracing palette. You can use the Color slider to further reduce the colors selected.

Uses the entire set of colors for the tracing palette. This option is the best for tracing photos and creating photorealistic artwork. With this option selected, the Color slider determines the variability of the pixels that make up each of the fill regions. When the Color slider is to the right, the variability is smaller, resulting in more paths defined by smaller areas of color. On the other hand, when the slider is to the left, the fill areas are fewer and larger.

You can use the Grays slider to set a value for generating a grayscale tracing result. 

You can use the Threshold slider to set a value for generating a black and white tracing result. All pixels lighter than the Threshold value are converted to white; all pixels darker than the Threshold value are converted to black.

Uses an existing color group for the tracing palette. This option allows you to define the exact colors you want in your traced artwork. You can choose any color library you’ve loaded via the Swatches panel for your tracing palette.

Add color libraries to the Swatches panel from the Swatch Libraries menu

  1. To open the Swatches panel, choose Window > Swatches.
  2. Select the Swatch Libraries Menu   on the lower-left of the Swatches panel. Alternatively, choose Open Swatch Library from the panel menu   .
  3. Choose a library from the list.
  4. To add the desired color group to the Swatches panel, select the Save Color Group To Swatches Panel button. For details, see Use swatch libraries.
Add color libraries to the Swatches panel from the Swatch Libraries menu.

Add color libraries to the Swatches panel using the Adobe Color Themes panel

  1. To open the Adobe Color Themes panel, choose Window > Color Themes.
  2. Explore the many public color themes available in the Explore tab or create your own color themes. Then, add the selected color theme to the Swatches panel. For details, see Use the Adobe Color Themes panel.
Add color libraries to the Swatches panel from the Adobe Color Themes panel.

Fills

Creates filled regions in the tracing result.

Strokes

Creates stroked paths in the tracing result.

Stroke

Specifies the maximum width of features in the original image that can be stroked. Features larger than the maximum width become outlined areas in the tracing result.

Ignore Color

Ignores a specific color while tracing. Use the color picker to selectively ignore a color. This option isn't available with Grayscale mode and Overlapping method.

Advanced controls

Advanced options
Fine-tune your tracing result using advanced options in the Image Trace options.

Paths

Controls the distance between the traced shape and the original pixel shape. Lower values create a looser path fitting; higher values create a tighter path fitting.

Corners

Specifies the emphasis on corners and the likeliness that a sharp bend will turn into a corner point. A higher value results in more corners.

Noise

Specifies an area in pixels that is ignored while tracing. A higher value results in less noise.

Tip:

For a high-resolution image, move the Noise slider to a higher value (for example, in the 20–50 range) to have some effect. For a low-resolution image, set it lower (1–10).

Simplify

Simplifies the image by reducing the number of anchor points. This option isn't available with Overlapping method.

Method

Specifies a method for tracing. You can choose one of the following options:

Icon

Name of the preset

Definition

Abutting

Creates cutout paths. The edge of one path is exactly the same as the edge of its neighboring path.

Overlapping

Creates stacked paths. Each path slightly overlaps its neighbor.

Snap Curves To Lines

Specifies if slightly curved lines are replaced with straight lines and if lines near to 0 or 90 degrees are snapped to absolute 0 or 90 degrees.

Tip:

You can choose this option for geometric artwork or if shapes in your source image are slightly rotated.

For a video on tracing, see this how-to video on Image Trace.

Save a tracing preset

  1. Open the Image Trace panel by choosing Window > Image Trace.

  2. Set tracing options for the preset using the Image Trace panel.

    Note:

    You can’t edit or delete the default presets (default presets appear in brackets []). However, you can make an editable copy of a default preset by selecting the preset and choosing Save As New Preset from the panel menu.

  3. Select the menu   and choose Save As New Preset.

  4. Enter a name for the preset, and select OK.

  5. (Optional) To rename your saved preset, select the menu    and choose Rename. Enter a name for the preset, and select OK.

  6. (Optional) To delete your saved preset, select the menu   and choose Delete.

Edit the tracing result

When you are satisfied with the results of a tracing, you can convert the tracing object to paths. This final step allows you to work with the tracing result as you do other vector artwork. Once you convert the tracing object, you can no longer adjust the tracing options.

  1. Select the tracing result.

  2. To convert the tracing result to paths, do one of the following:

    • Click Expand in the Control panel or the Properties panel.
    • Choose Object > Image Trace > Expand. 

    The resulting paths are grouped together.

  3. To ungroup the grouped paths, click Ungroup in the Properties panel. Alternatively, choose Object > Ungroup.

  4. (Optional) To simplify paths by removing excess anchor points, choose Object > Path > Simplify. For details, see Simplify a path. 

    You can also reshape or edit paths. For details, see Adjust path segments.

  5. To color your tracing result, convert it to Live Paint Groups by selecting the desired paths and choosing Object > Live Paint > Make. For details, see Live Paint groups.

     

Release a tracing object

To discard a tracing but keep the original placed image, release the tracing object.

  1. Select the tracing object.

  2. Choose Object > Image Trace > Release.

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