How to Convert a JPEG to a Vector Using Illustrator Cs5
JPEG images are bitmapped files which means that the image in made up of hundreds or thousands of dots of color. As you increase the size of a bitmapped image the number of pixels doesn’t change and so the dots or pixels become larger and more obvious. Vector files are comprised of lines and color and can be scaled to any size without loss of resolution. Adobe Illustrator includes a trace function that converts bitmapped images, like JPEGs, to vector graphics.
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Instructions
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Open Adobe Illustrator. Click “File,” then “New” and open a new document or click “Open” and load an existing document.
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Click “File,” then click “Place” and navigate through your file system to the JPEG file you want to convert to a vector file. Double-click the file, then hover the mouse cursor over the document and click to place the JPEG.
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Click the JPEG to highlight it. Click the “Down Arrow” next to “Live Trace” in the Control Panel. You can choose a preset from the list like “Photo High Fidelity,” “Hand Drawn Sketch” or click “Tracing Options” and select the mode, maximum colors and the amount of blur.
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Check the “Preview” check box to view changes to the Tracing Options preset. When you are satisfied click “Trace.”
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Tips & Warnings
Click “Live Paint” in the Control Panel to view the paths and anchors of the new vector version of your JPEG. You can double click a path or anchor and drag it to modify the image.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
