How to trace a signal

[gtsolid]

Hi,

I'd like to create a new signal panel starting from an old photo.

In this psd i started to draw a path for creating some shapes resembling the example.

Is this the right way? how would you do this operation? I can grab the colors using the eyedropper tools for example, the important thing, I think, is to get different shapes on different layers.

[davescm]

You can trace the shapes using the pen tool in Photoshop to create vector shapes or do the same in Adobe Illustrator.

Dave

[Mylenium]

Tracing a sign is typically done in Illustrator, but given how low resolution your photo is, you can pretty much simply start re-drawing it from scratch in whatever tool you can handle best. there's simply not enough resolution there for any decent semi-automated tracing or such.

Mylenium

[War Unicorn]

What the others have said. Illustrator is the king of vectors, so that's what I would use for a job like this.

[Conrad_C]

Although it could be easier and faster in Illustrator, the shapes are simple, so it could be done in Photoshop. It sounds like you are already on the right track.

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@gtsolid wrote:

In this psd i started to draw a path for creating some shapes resembling the example…the important thing, I think, is to get different shapes on different layers.

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If I am reading that correctly, you can do that more efficiently. Instead of drawing paths and then putting them on different layers, use the Pen and Shape tools in Shape mode, not Path mode. When those tools are in Shape mode, each path is automatically created on its own layer, ready for printing or exporting. Then all you have to do is assign a fill and/or stroke to each shape layer.