How to get a nicer looking signature after image trace??

[paulpa59]

Hi All,

I would like to know how to make this look smoother and professional because this is horrible. I did an image trace on a signature and this is the best it could do. I attempted at the anchor points and can't get the tool bar at the top of the page where I can click on corner anchor point, I dont know y it's missing. I did the whole "preference" and "Selection and Anchor Display" but the tool bar doesnt appear. Furthermore, what is the best advice to smooth this signature out?HiThanks!

[federico platon · Accepted solution]

Control bar is available in the Windows menu. Select the Direct Selection Tool (A) and click on the expanded live trace of your signature to have those options on the top Control bar.

Sometimes is helpful to preview and work in outline view (View>Outline) specially when selecting and editing anchor points and direction handles.

You can select the expanded artwork and use Object>Path>Simplify, the Pen tool to remove repetitive or unneeded points, use the Anchor tool to change corner or smooth points, the Smooth Tool (under Pencil tool)...

But the best you can do is check the Live Trace settings to apply on your scanned signature. Check most adjustments and see how they affect the resuklts (preview the outline or contour blue lines that you will get) pay special attention to the Fill or strokes and Method options. See which best suits you.