Image Trace in Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool that allows you to convert raster images, such as black and white photographs, into vector graphics. This can be incredibly useful for creating scalable and high-quality images from existing photos. In this article, we will guide you through the process of using Image Trace on a black and white photo in Adobe Illustrator.
Step 1: Import the photo
Start by opening Adobe Illustrator and importing the black and white photo you want to trace. To do this, go to File > Place and navigate to the location of your photo. Select the photo and click “Place” to import it onto the artboard.
Step 2: Raster to Vector Conversion
With the photo selected, navigate to the Image Trace panel. If you don’t see this panel, go to Window > Image Trace to open it. In the Image Trace panel, you will see a variety of preset options, such as “Black and White Logo”, “Sketched Art”, and more. For a black and white photo, you can start with the “Black and White Logo” preset to see how it works for your image.
Step 3: Adjust Image Trace Settings
Depending on the complexity of the photo, you may need to tweak the Image Trace settings to achieve the best result. Click on the “Advanced” option in the Image Trace panel to reveal the additional settings. Here, you can adjust parameters such as Threshold, Paths, Corners, and Noise to fine-tune the tracing result. Keep experimenting with these settings until you are satisfied with the vector representation of the photo.
Step 4: Expand and Refine
Once you are happy with the tracing result, click the “Expand” button in the Control bar at the top of the screen to convert the traced image into editable vector paths. You can then use the Direct Selection tool to adjust and refine the vector paths as needed.
Step 5: Save the Vectorized Image
After refining the vector paths, you can save the vectorized image as an .ai file for further editing or export it to a different format such as .svg, .eps, or .pdf for use in other applications.
In conclusion, Adobe Illustrator’s Image Trace feature provides a convenient way to convert black and white photos into editable vector graphics. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively utilize Image Trace to create scalable and high-quality vector representations of your black and white photos. Whether you’re a designer looking to create custom illustrations or a photographer seeking to repurpose your images, mastering this tool can greatly enhance your creative workflow.
