Vectorization - Layer Becomes White - May Be Bug. May be, old iPad Mini just not powerful enough

[JayLive510]

So, I signed up for the subscription for the illutrator on the iPad juts now. Mostly, I am trying to convert my photos and paper based illustrations into vector art, and see if I can enhance them from there.

I have an ageing iPad Mini."2019 Apple iPad Mini with A12 Bionic chip". So, it's pretty old. I am surprised the tablet is still running. 

Now, this is what happens. In all these scenarios, I am creating a new document, and then, loading up one of my photos. I am a photographer, so most of the photos of high quality photos in large size JPG or RAW format from the camera.

1. Sometimes, the vectorization process begins in earnest, takes its own sweet time (5 seconds to 20 seconds), and I get a nice vectorized output. The default output is color and it looks amazing. I am able to change the options and play around no problem. 

1. Other times, many times really, after pressing the button, it just becomes white. and it remains there no matter what. 

1. Once it becomes stuck at white, does not matter what I do. create new layers and try with new image. same issue. vectorization never happens. (note : all other illustrator features continue to work as normal)

1. I create a new file, same issue. 

1. Occasionally, the app will simply crash. 
1. Occasionally, the 'color' output will be white, but the black and white works, but that also dissapears if I try any other options. 

Ultimately, this is what I found out.

1. Force quitting the app with swip up gesture on the iPad.

1. Give my iPad a bit of a rest, like a few minutes. 

1. Then, it works again (until it crashes or goes white), at which point, I simply restart this solution steps.

I am just putting these notes here for other iPad illustrator users. Ultimately, this might be a bug, and also, the simple fact that my iPad Mini is simply too old to do verctorization. 

Thanks

Jay.

[Monika Gause]

Can you just try with smaller images (like: less than 2000 pixels on their largest side)

[JayLive510]

Unfortunately that won't help me, as I have thousands of images I am trying to process (and as I am a photographer, all images are DSLR images). 

But, I beleive the solution is to simply buy a more powerful iPad. new iPads are due in September from Apple. So, I will probably pickup the new iPad Air or iPad Mini or an iPad Pro in the coming months. 

But if there is a really really important image, yes, I will try what you recommended. Thank you.

Jay

[Monika Gause]

Can you please just try smaller sizes? That will at least help determine whether your problem is caused by the size. I suspect it, but it needn't be the case.

On top of that I'm not sure why you want to trace a large size? What do you want to do that requires siuch a large size? Vector images are scalable. 

[JayLive510]

ah, there must be some misunderstanding here. 

1. Only my source images are larger. Not the actual art that I am trying to generate 🙂 

1. I think, you are talking about the artboard/canvas size which I have set to a very small 1000x1000 pixels

But, I have only recently started my iPad subscription. I will update this thread with more details as I work more, and it's possible that I might purchase a new iPad sooner rather than later.

Then, I will be able to compare and contrast between the two iPads, see if the issue is really the ageing device itself or the app itself 🙂 

Thank you for continuing to help me. I am very new to this (as you can see from my account status) and I am glad that a community expert is helping me out. 

[Monika Gause]

It's aboiut the number of pixels in your source images. Pixel dimensions. And I still don't get what you are trying to achieve with your high-resolution images

[JayLive510]

I am always happy to share what I am doing.

So, the idea is to generate cyberpunk style noir art, but using existing photos that I already make using my regular photography hobby. 

Have you seen comics like Sin City? I am trying to achieve that effect. I am making some progress with illustrator, and I will uploading some of them on artstation and you will see what I am talking about. 

I am hoping to blend multiple such "vector" noir images (which is where I need transparency, and hence, my plan to use illustrator, and that is where I started using illustrator on the iPad as I was attracted by an article about vectorization online, and I found out Adobe has the best technology).

So, so far, it's looking good. And as I have mentioned before, I simply have to

1. Quit the Illustartor app on the iPad.

1. Give the iPad a few seconds/minute of rest.

1. and try the step, it works beautifully.

And, I have already made up my mind to buy an iPad Air or iPad Pro soon, and I believe, this issue will fix itself. 

and, once I start uploading my results on artstation, I will update this thread with those links. 

as always, thanks for helping me out. I am very happy with the community engagement here. 

Thank.

Jay