Simplifying more than one object, without creating new gaps

[Tim Lobanov]

I have image traced a complex drawing, I'm trying to perfect it but am struggling.

I am a total beginner.

In the attached, you can see the 3 objects I am trying to simplify (practising on a tiny part of the whole drawing), but when I use "Simplify...", it simplifies each of them individually, and gaps between them appear.

Is there a way to keep them all connected but only simplify the combined outer boundary? 

[Ton Frederiks]

It is probably better if you try to simplify it during Image Trace. There are Advanced options to reduce the number of paths.

[Tim Lobanov]

Thank you, I have done that already, I cannot simplify during image trace any more without losing drawing's purpose. So is there any work around for what I want to achieve at this stage?

[Bill Silbert]

Image Trace can be a daunting feature even for advanced users. It is definately not a panacea for making raster images into vector. As Ton says there are controls within the feature for reducing the complexity of the paths. As a beginner it would be a good idea to either seek out online tutorials and/or videos about the feature or check out Adobe's basic instuctions for use at https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/image-trace.html.

[Tim Lobanov]

Thank you, I have done that already, I cannot simplify during image trace any more without losing the drawing's purpose. So is there any workaround for what I want to achieve at this stage? 

[Monika Gause]

Use an earlier version. The current version just doesn't trace well.

[Jacob Bugge]

Monika, this reminds me of the first time somone said (something like) that, about CS6 when Live Trace had been replaced by Image Trace.

[Jacob Bugge]

Tim,

If you must (work with the image trace as it is), you can try something like this:

1) Working on a copy of the whole set of simplified paths, create a combined outer boundary using Unite (Pathfinder), maybe needing Offset Path (first positive, then negative) to close gaps,

2) Simplify that and use Live Paint to fit the individual boundaries of the original set to the combined outer boundary from 1);

3) Use Live Trace on the simplified inner boundaries to get rid of gaps and overlaps.

You can read a bit more here,
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/live-paint-groups.html

[Tim Lobanov]

It's a shame that this is not an easy automatic thing to do, but your workaround sounds doable. I'll give it a go, thank you!

[Jacob Bugge]

I hope you will report your findings, Tim.

Here is a little elaboration for clarity:

1) Working on a copy of the whole set of simplified paths, create a combined outer boundary using Unite (Pathfinder), maybe needing Offset Path (first positive to close gaps, then negative with the same amount to get back to the original boundary size);

2) Simplify that and maybe adjust the outer shape further, then use Live Paint to fit the individual boundaries of the original set to the combined outer boundary from 1);

3) Use Live Trace on the simplified inner boundaries to get rid of gaps and overlaps.

[Tim Lobanov · Accepted solution]

After spending a few hours trying all the different options, what worked the best for me - was grouping 2,3 areas at a time, simplifying them, and then manually adjusting anchor points to link the areas back to each other and achieve the desired result. It's a bit long, but as I only needed this for this one (yet important) image, it was worth the time. 

[Jacob Bugge]

Thank you for sharing, Tim.

It is good to know that all is well.