How to Create Editable Objects from Color Sections of PNG Image

[craigpmhere]

Hey everyone. I have a simple png image with four well defined colored shapes, it's a yin yang symbol. I want to figure out how to turn each of the colors into a distinct, editable shape, and then turn the whole thing into a vector. Is that possible with Illustrator?

[michelew83603738]

You should be able to do an image trace on your .png. Of course it is hard to determine how good the results will be without seeing the .png, but if the image has very well defined shapes, you should be able to trace it, then depending, you may need to adjust the import settings to get what you need.

[craigpmhere]

Thank you. Ok, I did an image trace, which actually made the edges of the color perfectly clear and erased any pixalation. So then, what should my next step be, to turn each of the color segments of the image into distinct editable shapes?

[michelew83603738 · Accepted solution]

You might try what @Jacob Bugge suggests if you feel confident using shapes or if you like the image trace results, this article might help you with how to get the results you need, including separating the shapes.

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/image-trace.html

[craigpmhere]

Thanks a lot! I was able to follow the instructions and make that happen 🙂

[michelew83603738]

Glad that worked for you!

[Jacob Bugge]

Craig,

You can also place and lock the PNG, then create a vector version on top of it, using the Ellipse Tool to make whole and half circles of the right sizes and positions (one big whole circle, one circle at half the size divided into two half circles joined and placed between the top and bottom Anchor Points of the big one, two small circles); and you can colour the parts with the Live Paint.

You can search for the terms here,

https://helpx.adobe.com/search-results.html?q=&scope=%5B%22helpx%22%5D&subscope=%5B%5D&limit=10&star...

Smart Guides are your friends, telling you when you are within snapping distance

Apart from that there are undoubtedly free vector versions of yin yang symbols.

[craigpmhere]

Hey thanks a lot Jacob. I was able to make it work with the instructions that michaelw posted.

[Jacob Bugge]

For my part you are welcome, Craig.