Adobe Photoshop is a software that is familiar with the image it does for editing. When we learn more about Photoshop, it turns out that we can also create vector designs by tracing images.
In creating vector designs in Photoshop, we are presented with various tools that are in the toolbar. With standard Photoshop tools, we can create designs by manipulating various objects that have been provided.
How to Trace Images to Create Vectors?
If we want to create a vector by tracing from an image, we can use the Pen Tool, Pen Tool Freeform, Curvature Pen Tool, Add Anchor Point Tool, Delete Anchor Point Tool, Convert Point Tool.
We can use the Pen Tool to draw very precise paths according to the pattern that we are going to trace.
The free-form Pen Tool can be used to draw a path that will match the movement of our mouse.
We can use the Curvature Pen Tool to draw a path by selecting the location of the anchor points and then Photoshop will automatically draw the curved lines.
We can use the Add Anchor Point to add an anchor point to the path that we have used before.
Delete Anchor Points. We can use to delete anchor points on the path that we created earlier.
Convert Point Tool can be used to convert anchor points to corner points and can convert corner points to smooth points.
The tool above is a part that has an important role in making vector designs by tracing an image.
Steps to Trace the Image
To create a vector from an image, there are several things that we need to respond to. Next, we will try to trace an image and then transform it into a vector form so that we can edit it according to our wishes.
Insert the Image and Start Drawing the Path
Insert the image that we will trace to create a vector by copying and pasting it on the worksheet. We can also insert an image by dragging the image file and then dropping it on the worksheet.
We can start drawing using the Pen Tool, Freeform Pen Tool or the Curvature Pen Tool. In this article we will try to create a path using the Pen Tool.
Select the Pen Tool to start drawing the path by clicking on the part of the image that we will trace to create a vector. Don’t be too pushy to choose anchor points, if not possible, we better place the anchor points at the corners.
Tidy up the anchor points
After we use the Pen Tool to create a path, there will definitely be some anchor points that don’t match the image we are tracing. We can use the Add Anchor Point, Delete Anchor Point or Convert Point Tool.
Use zoom so that we can clearly see the outline of the image to tidy up the path in more detail. Make sure we tidy up the paths that we will turn into vectors. Try to follow the path line that we trace.
Convert Path To Vector
After finishing making the path using the Pen Tool and the Anchor Point, it matches the image that we traced, so now is the time for us to convert it into a vector.
We will convert it to a vector by going to the Paths menu in Photoshop. To call the Paths menu by clicking Windows> Patchs. We will see the paths screen at the bottom right of the work screen.
After the Patchs menu opens, we will see the pattern that we previously created with the Pen Tool. Then select the Rectangle Tool, change the Shape option to Path (left circle) and immediately click the Shape option (right circle) as shown below.
After we click on the shape menu, the path we created will automatically become a new vector object.
After the path becomes a new vector, we can make edits according to what we want. Repeat the above steps on other parts of the image to get a complete image.
Those were the steps for creating vectors by tracing images in Photoshop. Hopefully this is useful and keep working.