Skip to main content
J
Jordan-Integ
Participating Frequently
December 3, 2019
Question

Unable to trace Image in Illustrator 2020 on Windows 10

  • December 3, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 5580 views

I am trying to do a simple image trace. 
I have my object selected, there are no clipping masks.
The "trace" button is greyed out until I uncheck "Preview" but then I click trace and it does nothing, and reverts back to preview.  I have tried everything I know in terms of resolution, I searched through similar threads and nothing fixes the issue I am having.  

Currently using the most recent version on CC.

 

{Renamed By MOD}

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    5 replies

    F
    fab-design
    Known Participant
    May 19, 2020

    I have had the same problem. It is a new "Illustrator 2020" bug. If I open or paste a Bitmap into an Illustrator document, then Image trace it, then cancel and close the document, afterwards when I reopen it in Illustrator, Image Trace will be grey/unusable.

     

    It is extreemely frustrating. What you can do to solve this issue is to close everything and quit illustrator. Then open the image in Illustrator again, go to Image Trace and the Panel will be functional again. 


    This solution is what worked, but on my Mac.

    yanis ethikdesign
    yanis ethikdesign
    Participant
    August 26, 2020

    Object menu > Image Trace > Expand

      chazdesimone
      chazdesimone
      Participant
      January 13, 2021

      That did the trick: Object menu > Image Trace > Expand created the vector. I was having the same problem, pressing Trace on the Image Trace window did nothing. Thanks.

        J
        jenniferj254831
        Participating Frequently
        February 3, 2020

        I'm having the same issue. My image trace was working fine last week, then all of a sudden it's doing the same thing. Have you found a fix yet for the issue?

        J
        Jordan-IntegAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        February 3, 2020

        I have not found a resolution and still unable to image trace.  What is the point of using Illustrator if I cannot image trace?  I will note, I had just installed the application when reporting the issue, there were no preference or settings changes made.  Should have worked right off the bat, so I do not believe this is user error (in my case).  Not sure if you are experiencing the exact same issue since yours was working at any point in time.   

          Rishabh_Tiwari
          Rishabh_Tiwari
          Legend
          February 4, 2020

          Hi Jordan,

           

          So sorry that it is still not fixed. As per the screenshot, it shows that the Trace option is greyed and that is because the Preview is on. Is it possible for you to share a small video of what is exactly happening at your end?

           

          Regards

          Rishabh

          Ton Frederiks
          Community Expert
          Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          December 3, 2019

          And what does Object menu > Image Trace > Expand?

            Lukas Engqvist
            Community Expert
            Lukas EngqvistCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            December 3, 2019

            From your screenshot looks like you already traced it (activated trace). Since you have number of paths and anchors. Either choose a different preset, or expand if you want to edit the paths. If you change sliders your paths will adjust? This is normal behavoiur.

            J
            Jordan-IntegAuthor
            Participating Frequently
            December 3, 2019

            I did hit the trace button, but the image was not traced/vector.  It's like as soon as I push it it greys out and does nothing.  My settings are how I need them for the trace, but the trace itself is not working

              Rishabh_Tiwari
              Rishabh_Tiwari
              Legend
              December 3, 2019

              Hi Jordan,

               

              Sorry to hear about the trouble you are facing with Illustrator. I would request if you can share a few more details like:

               

              1. The exact version of Illustrator and OS.
              2. Does this happen on a specific file? Could you please try it on a new document to see if the image trace is working.

               

              We're here to help, just need more information.

               

              Regards

              Rishabh

              J
              Jordan-IntegAuthor
              Participating Frequently
              December 3, 2019

              I have tried this on several files.  PNG & JPG it does the same thing for each.  Nothing has worked.
              I use windows 10 w/ Illustrator 24.0.1

              Rishabh_Tiwari
              Rishabh_Tiwari
              Legend
              December 3, 2019

              Thanks for sharing additional information. Could you please try resetting the preferences for Illustrator by following the steps below:

               

              • Close all Adobe applications. 
              • Go to Location C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Adobe 
              • Rename  Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Illustrator 24 Settings folders to Adobe Illustrator.old and Adobe Illustrator 24 Settings.old 
              • Launch Illustrator from the Creative Cloud. 

               

               

              Disclaimer: Please note that resetting preferences will remove all the custom settings and Illustrator will launch with default settings. This way all your old settings will be saved in .old folders and Illustrator will recreate new folders with default settings.  

               

              Let us know if this helps or if you need any further assistance.

               

               

              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
              Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices