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Scott339608190vnx
Participant
November 30, 2023
Question

Convert "Image Traced" Art to Path for "Text on a Path" Tool

  • November 30, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 4588 views

Good morning everyone.  I hope someone can help me as I feel there has to be a simple answer!! Lol.

 

So I have some pen and ink art that I drew, scanned, and then converted to vector art by using the "Image Trace" option in Illustrator.  It's actually a drawing of a tree.

 

I am wanting to create some type that follows along the outside of the top of the tree.

 

How do I go about doing that?

When I expand the image tracing it creates a complex path and I do not know how to extract a path that is usable with the "Text on a Path" tool.

 

Any advice would be immensely appreciated!

 

Scott Gordon

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    D
    defaultacyghmmgm4c7
    Participant
    December 5, 2023

    Note: if you don't want round joins you can drop the miter to 1 or 2

    Doug A Roberts
    Community Expert
    Doug A RobertsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 30, 2023

    Some images of your image, the resulting path, and an indication of the path you wish to use for type would be helpful here.

    S
    Scott339608190vnxAuthor
    Participant
    November 30, 2023

    Thanks for the suggestion.  I attached three files: the image by itself,  the image with it selected and the paths/anchor points created by the image tracing, and finally the third one where the blue line indicates that I would basically like the text to follow the outside of the tree on an offset path.

     

    Hope its not too compliacted to do that!

    Doug A Roberts
    Community Expert
    Doug A RobertsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 30, 2023

    What I might do in this scenario is:

     

    1. Expand the trace.

    2. In the Appearance panel, add a stroke to the tracing group

    3. Give the stroke the effects Offset Path and Pathfinder > Add (in that order)

    4. Adjust the offset until I am happy with the position.

    5. Object menu > Expand appearance, then ungroup to separate the trace and the offset path.

    6. Perhaps Object > Path > Simplify to smooth out some of the inevitable sharp corners and bumps

     

     

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