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Author Topic: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?  (Read 12617 times)

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javeryh

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How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« on: August 26, 2005, 10:47:15 am »
Is it just a simple program?  I don't think so because everyone is always posting their progress so it must be tough to do.  I'm thinking I might need something vectorized in the future - is it just time consuming or is there real artistic talent involved?  I don't mind spending hours and hours on something if it comes out nice but I have no talent.  What kind of programs do you use?

Nannuu

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2005, 02:22:12 pm »
You never vectorize a photograph.  Vectorization is mostly used on simple graphics.  Granted Felsir proves me wrong with his latest Transformers.  But even that is many smaller simple sections combined to make a fantastic overall drawing.  The same really can't be done with a photo.  Vectorization allows you to scale the size with no loss of quality.  The most common programs are Illustrator, Coreldraw or Visio.  There are some free vector programs around as well.  To do vectorization you have to manually click to make each line and adjust each curve to match what you want to copy.  It really is not hard at all, but takes tons and tons of time.  If you have something you want to copy, just place the image in the background and start copying away over the top.
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javeryh

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2005, 03:17:29 pm »
Thanks - and by picture I really did mean graphic.  I have a few things I want to scan (pages in a comic book) and then scale but I will have to vectorize them first I guess.

zorg

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2005, 10:13:24 pm »
take a look here
http://www.localarcade.com/4images/details.php?image_id=223

most of us started with this excellent tutorial.
I'm on the planning stage

rohan

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2005, 10:22:15 pm »
It is possible to vectorize a photograph, but it ain't easy to start with and it will look like you reduced the pallet and upped the contrast really high...Here's an example:
http://www.livejournal.com/~suph/2003/07/27/

Maybe Zorg can translate if you're interested in learning more ;)
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zorg

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2005, 09:41:39 am »
Maybe Zorg can translate if you're interested in learning more ;)



currently I can't translate as soon as I have a free moment I try to sleep, at least I can lurk the forum, but not participate as much as I want.
I'm on the planning stage

brain21

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2005, 01:31:20 pm »
Illustrator CS & CS2 have a "Trace" feature.

Import a photo and it will do it's best to vectorize it.  If you have access to a copy, you might want to give that a try.

You can do it by hand in photoshop, but it is a pain in the ass and takes a long time.

Basically for each line, area of solid color, etc. you make a selection.  THen you convert that selection into a path.  Once you have all of these paths made & edited (which can take forever) export the paths to illustrator, and you'll have a vector version.

Best way to to use Illustrator's Trace function though...


Brain21

zorg

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2005, 12:27:56 pm »

Basically for each line, area of solid color, etc. you make a selection.  THen you convert that selection into a path.  Once you have all of these paths made & edited (which can take forever) export the paths to illustrator, and you'll have a vector version.

please don't use such a "magic tools and tricks"  for something that need some accuracy or clean aspect.

Quote
Best way to to use Illustrator's Trace function though...
Quote

that's it
I'm on the planning stage

1cal

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2006, 04:31:56 pm »
If you need to vectorize a scanned picture automatically you could try using Vector Eye. It does nother but convert the raster image to a vector image however I found it simple to convert a pen drawing to a vector image and photos. You still need a vector drawing program to do further editing.

The free trial is limited to 20 conversions though. I don't know how it compares with the Illustrator automatic conversion described above.


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spriggy

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Re: How do you VECTORIZE a picture?
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2006, 11:47:38 pm »
take a look here
http://www.localarcade.com/4images/details.php?image_id=223

most of us started with this excellent tutorial.

Ditto!


please don't use such a "magic tools and tricks"  for something that need some accuracy or clean aspect.


Zorg is definately on the money...he should know :).  Stay away from auto-tracing where possible.  The results are nearly always a let down.  Looks OK from afar sometimes...but an absolute mess up close...imo.  Trace freehand!!!

If your self-teaching (like a lot of the byoac AI users) buy yourself an Illustrator Guide/Manual.  Your skills will increase 100 fold!!  I purchased an awesome manual with visual quickstart guides.(see attached pic) So far, all my new answers have been answered by it!

Also, download some of the byoac AI guru's artwork from the online library. eg zorg, mahuti, tbombaci... to name a few.  Zoom in on their work and check out how they attacked their vector traces.   You can't go past experience.  It's a good way to learn path efficiency.

Good luck.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2006, 11:49:30 pm by spriggy »
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