Image trace advice

[Naelwan]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to vectorize this image with the image trace tool and I wanted it to be the exact same as the original, but vectorized. (the goal is to print it in high scale)

I tried all the settings of the tool and the best result that I got was this. (not goot at all when zoomed in)

Can you give me any advice on this tool that I can use to have a better result ?

My idea is to make the lines way more black on the original and boost the sensitivity of the trace tool but I don't know how to do it.

Thanks

Nael

[SJRiegel]

I don't think you will ever be able to get what you want with Image Trace (Especially if the image you showed is the exact resolution you are starting with).

I think the only right way to do this is to sit down with Illustrator's tools and redraw it piece-by-piece.

[Naelwan]

That's what I feared.

I first tried with the Pen tool, that seems good enough. Am I doing it right ?

[Myra Ferguson · Accepted solution]

SJRiegel is right. If you want to a clean vector version, you'll need to recreate it. I'd recommend putting the original image on a layer and make that your reference. If you double-click the layer, you can set the layer properties to Template which will lock the layer and dim it 50%. Then make a new layer to draw over the original. You can use the Pen tool, but I wouldn't stop there. When I look at the image, I see lots of places where you can use lines (both dashed and solid), circles, rounded rectangles, polygons, and stars. Anywhere you see a shape that can be repeated like the concentric circles, make that shape a symbol (or you can duplicate it, but the benefit of the symbol is that if you need to change it, it'll update all the instances of that symbol). For the chain around the gears, I'd make a Pattern Brush to apply to the shape of the chain. The process will take some time, but if you break it down into manageable and repeatable parts it'll help a lot.

[Naelwan]

Thanks a lot for your answers, I'll follow your advices studiously.

Let's get to work !