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FromReToZ
Participant
September 4, 2018
Answered

Quicker way to smooth out scanned hand drawn pictures?

  • September 4, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 5959 views

Hello,

I am an artist who uses Illustrator to color, correct, and add details to my hand drawn sketches. You can see my work on Instagram: FromReToZ

When I put a drawing into Illustrator:

1. Scan It

2. Live Trace

3. Preset: Comic Art

4. Live Paint

Often times after I do all this, the images get lumpy/too vectory. I use the smooth tool but it takes a lot of time to fix and it is still a little wonky (see image below).

Is there a better way to scan/trace/paint drawings that stay more true to the original hand drawn sketch or is there a blanket "smooth" tool option or way to smooth an image out in a quicker manner than just using the smooth tool. Maybe I need a better scan resolution?

I'm self taught on Illustrator so I appreciate any help.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer barbara_a7746676

You could start wtih the Default Image Trace settings, which is black and white. And as Monika said, adjust the settings.

You can expand the panel. If your sketch is relatively simple, as shown in the example you gave, turn on Method: Overlapping.

After you've Expanded the trace, go to Object > Path > Simplify. Simplify will allow you to smooth the whole trace at once.

4 replies

Myra Ferguson
Community Expert
Myra FergusonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 4, 2018

An alternative workflow you might try would be using Adobe's mobile app called Capture Photo to vector converter app for iOS, Android | Adobe Capture CC . Take a picture of your work, crop it, refine it, and save it to a CC library. Then in Illustrator, go to that CC library and bring it onto your document. You can do any additional refining there.

    barbara_a7746676
    Community Expert
    barbara_a7746676Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 4, 2018

    Of course, the best (and most time-consuming) method is to manually trace with the Pen tool.

      barbara_a7746676
      Community Expert
      barbara_a7746676Community ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      September 4, 2018

      You could start wtih the Default Image Trace settings, which is black and white. And as Monika said, adjust the settings.

      You can expand the panel. If your sketch is relatively simple, as shown in the example you gave, turn on Method: Overlapping.

      After you've Expanded the trace, go to Object > Path > Simplify. Simplify will allow you to smooth the whole trace at once.

        macpawel
        macpawel
        Participating Frequently
        September 4, 2018

        It's ok, but sometimes gives poor effectsa. You can also use Expand Command and then try to use Object>Path>Simplify. Use more than 90%.  This is nice but not always right solution solution

        pawel

          Monika Gause
          Community Expert
          Monika GauseCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          September 4, 2018

          Don't rely on Image trace presets.

          Adjust the settings instead.

          How to edit artwork in Illustrator using Image Trace

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