How can I simplify an image trace? It is very cumbersome and too much to work with on my PC / laser.

[cooper136]

Long story short, I am making a custom ukulele. I need a dragon scale texture, I used image trace to grab the lines. 

The downside is the file is big, slow and Im having a lot of trouble using it on my lasercutting software.

I have tried A) To use the simplify path feature, doesnt quite do what I need. Can any of you with much more experience than me help? I could just trace over the layer with the pen tool, not ideal.

I have attached a picture and the actual illustrator file (renamed as pdf, just change back to .ai, couldnt upload the ai file..

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Check out this: VectorFirstAid removed about 13000 anchor points. The shapes are still unconnected. By uniting them you might save some more points.

[cooper136]

Aweosme. i'll downlaod yours and take a look!

[Kurt Gold]

What settings are you using when applying the Simplify command?

Just asking because it should be pretty easy to remove about 15 000 anchor points while retaining the overall appearance (sometimes you may have to execute it a couple of times with moderate settings).

Uniting all those maggots will then rather increase the number of anchor points again.