How to get straight lines when I want to create a vector file

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
January 17, 2024
5 replies
1926 views

Hello,

Totally new to Illustrator, so please have understanding if I write something wrong (and English isn't my native language so that won't help as well 😉 ).

I have an image (a PSD file) which I want to transform into a vector file. When looking on the internet I thought I understood that I can do this in Illustrator by placing the image and than using IMAGE TRACE.

But when I do this, all my lines are a bit 'round' and some areas are 'stichting together'. The upper image is the PSD-file and the lower is the file in Illustrator after using IMAGE TRACE.

I tried the different options in the pop-up screen but I can't get the lines to become nice and straight.

Is there a way to create nice straight lines?

This topic has been closed for replies.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

I have a series of tutorials about Image Trace. Here is the part about maps and plans. You might want to watch others as well: https://youtu.be/NRLCDygv3nc

B

Bobby Henderson

Community Expert

It is difficult to get desirable results converting a pixel-based image into vector format using effects like Live Trace. In order to get the best and most accurate, clean results you have to re-build the artwork by hand. The original Photoshop PSD image has to be placed on one layer and locked. Then that PSD image is used as a guide for building clean, new vector artwork on one or more other layers over the top of the original image. This process is not fast or easy, but it is a great exercise for learning how to use various tools in the Adobe Illustrator tool kit.

barbara_a7746676

Community Expert

The higher the resolution and the better the quality of the PSD file, the better the autotrace will do.

I agree with Doug. Tedious as it is, if you want precise results you need to create it as vector.

pixxxelschubser

Community Expert

Strange.

before

after

That seems to work well for me.

M

Marc VanZAuthor

Known Participant

Can you show us what your settings were?

pixxxelschubser

Community Expert

Here (your setting with black/white is fine, I used a different setting with 4 colours because of the green arrows)

Please note, however, that I have used your screenshot. Resolution and size may differ from your file. (This might require different settings).
Illustrator 2023 v27.8.1