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Can you trace an image in Illustrator?

Last updated on September 24, 2022 @ 6:49 pm

If you’re looking to create a logo or some other graphical design project, one of the tools you’ll need is Illustrator. One of the most common tasks you’ll need to do is to trace an image, and while there are a few different ways to do this, this guide will show you how to do it using the Freeform tool in Illustrator.

To start, you’ll need to open your image in Illustrator and create a new document. Once it’s open, go to the Tools menu and select Freeform.

This will open up the Freeform tool, which you can use to trace your image.

To do this, first make sure that the tracing “mode” is set to ” dodged ” (you can find this option under the Options bar). This will allow you to trace the shape of the image without having to fully draw it out.

PRO TIP: When you use the trace function in Illustrator, your image is turned into a vector graphic. This means that it can be scaled to any size without losing quality. However, it also means that your image is no longer a photograph.

Once the tracing mode is set, you’ll need to start tracing your image. To do this, simply draw a shape around the area you want to trace, and then release the mouse button when you’re finished.

If you’re using a mouse, you can use the “grab” feature to keep your outline intact as you trace it. Alternatively, you can use the “paint” feature to fill in your outline with the color of your choice.

Once you’ve traced the outline of your image, you’ll need to finish it off by deleting any unwanted parts. To do this, simply use the “clear” tool to remove any unwanted lines or shapes.

Finally, you’ll need to save your image. To do this, simply click on the “save” button located in the bottom-left corner of the Freeform tool.

Morgan Bash

Morgan Bash

Technology enthusiast and Co-Founder of Women Coders SF.