Need help with make and expand

[jennmc1]

Hi! I have done this before but have never had this problem. When I click make and expand everything turns black and white and the background mixes in with the text. I tried making the background transparent, also tried making the background a contrasting color. Photos attached of before and after. Black is after

[Monika Gause]

Just trace it. Then use the Image trace panel to adjust the options. When it looks right, click the Expand button.

[Vishu_Aggarwal]

As suggested by Monika use Image trace option with different settings, or simply choose the Image Trace Preset 3 colors by clicking on the drop down arrow next to image trace option.

Screenshot for reference -

[Mike_Gondek]

Use Object >> Live Paint >> Make instead.

If you need to tweak the settings  go here.

[jennmc1]

that option is not available

[Mike_Gondek]

You might not  have the live trace item selected. A screenshot would help us see where you are stuck.

[jennmc1]

I think I did it. But why is there the x mark when I try to select it? Trying to now delete the line around the perimeter so its just the plane and initials. thanks.

[Vishu_Aggarwal]

Hi, X line means that you have placed a linked file in Illustrator  & the image placed as embed (without link) does not show the X line.

But this X line is only for preview of the selection. Once you will expand your image trace the X line won't be visible. Incase you don't want to expand the image trace than embed the image in Illustrator before you click on the image trace option.

How to embed Image -

How to expand image trace -

[jennmc1]

How do I get embed to show up? It's not on the top like you are showing in your screen shot.

[Mike_Gondek]

You need to select a linked image. If your image is already embedded that will not show up.

[jennmc1]

Yes, it is a linked image

[Mike_Gondek · Accepted solution]

Select that by itself with  the pointer tool and the embed icon should show up.

If you are having trouble, please show screenshot of your entire screen with the links palette open, and the image selected.

[jennmc1]

Thanks, I opened a window that had the embed option and that worked.