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ab90341972
ab90341972
Participant
February 16, 2017
Answered

Image trace - please help

  • February 16, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 854 views

Hello!

I would like to trace the first two letters, B and T. When I do image trace in Illustrator it doesn't come out precise.

On the T, there is a slant on both ends rather than being straight. (please see red T)

On the B, there is a slant on both ends rather than being straight, and the two vertical lines on the outside of the B, top and bottom, are not straight. (please see red T)

I'm either hoping to find the NFL font for the name on the jersey (capital T and B) or would like to image trace these so they come out looking precisely likely the jersey B and T. Spent about 8 hours on this - so would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you!!

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer ab90341972

    Thank you! That left me with the other center hole colored.

    I combined all the ideas and my own understanding, and made a copy of the two center holes and put it on a new layer. I then selected just the B and the layer with the 2 center holes, and did compound path make. And voila! http://imgur.com/daXiiKo

    THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU BRILLIANT TEACHERS!

    5 replies

    ab90341972
    ab90341972AuthorCorrect answer
    Participant
    February 17, 2017

    Thank you! That left me with the other center hole colored.

    I combined all the ideas and my own understanding, and made a copy of the two center holes and put it on a new layer. I then selected just the B and the layer with the 2 center holes, and did compound path make. And voila! http://imgur.com/daXiiKo

    THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU BRILLIANT TEACHERS!

    ab90341972
    ab90341972Author
    Participant
    February 17, 2017

    Hi Monika,

    Thank you! The result is this - Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet  Even when I group the 2 blocks in the middle and make a compound path, and then make a compound path of all three. If i do it individually too the result is the same.

    Under object, I select compound path make. Thanks in advance for your help!!

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 17, 2017

    Do it in 2 steps. Select the 2 counters (the hole shapes) and make them a compound path first. Then select the B shape and the counters-compound-path and use Pathfinder > Minus Front.

    ab90341972
    ab90341972Author
    Participant
    February 17, 2017

    Thank you so much! I used the pen tool. Came out lovely but... how do I cut out the two squares from the B ... at the moment they are paths and i did a color fill but it all takes on one color. i tried to have the middle paths be no color but it doesn't work... Thank you!

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 17, 2017

    Select all those paths and create a compound path.

    ab90341972
    ab90341972Author
    Participant
    February 16, 2017

    Thank you. Yes, newbie learning experiences! Is tracing with the pen tool the only option to get it right? Thanks!

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 16, 2017

    ab90341972  wrote

    Is tracing with the pen tool the only option to get it right?

    To an extent, it depends on what you mean by "right." If you mean geometrically precise, with the fewest anchor points possible, then yes, auto-trace won't do.

    Sometimes, auto-tracing can provide an acceptable result or something close enough, and perhaps the result can subsequently be adjusted and/or cleaned up. But for something like this, manual tracing is always superior because you exercise first-hand control every anchor point and segment.

    But, having reread your question, I will say that limiting your tracing efforts to setting point-by-point using the Pen tool isn't always the best method. Of course there are many construction methods which can be used in combination. To oversimplify for example's sake; wouldn't it be silly to trace this capital I by setting 12 anchor points with the Pen...

    ...when you could so easily use a few easy-to-draw rectangles...?

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 16, 2017

    Automatic tracing is almost never precise enough. 8 hours of trying is an awful lot of waste.

    As is the case most of the time, much better results are possible tracing manually using the Pen tool. Those 2 characters could be traced to perfection in 10-15 minutes.

    Kris Hunt
    Kris Hunt
    Legend
    February 16, 2017

    1-2 minutes.

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