Unite all paths to make one perimeter path and retain interior image

[gaylecavie]

I like the result of an image traced photograph to a low fidelity photograph - I would like to make only the outline of the image smoother but retain all interior details of the image - as in have one perimeter path I can alter slightly by using smooth path option. I thought I could just unite all paths leaving one path so I can modify but this just makes it a filled shape.

[Ton Frederiks]

If you duplicate the result of the image trace on a new layer and hide it.

Then unite the trace, as you said it gives a filled shape, just stroke that shape an fill with none.

Maybe smooth the result and use it as a clipping path for your image trace.

[gaylecavie]

As I am new to illustrator can you explain how to use a clipping path.

Gale Cavie

[Ton Frederiks]

A cloipping path can be used to mask everything that is selected below.

See:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/clipping-masks.html