production premium cs5, raster to vector at DVinfo.net

Bruce Watson · September 28th, 2010, 01:45 PM

Is there an easy way to trace out a raster logo and convert it to vector for easy scaling -- using any of the tools in Production Premium?

Client supplied me with a simple graphic logo as a flattened photoshop file (*.psd) without layers, and on a white background. I've asked the client and this all they have.

Client wants me to pull it apart and rebuild it in a motion graphic (After Effects), for use in a splash screen for a DVD (Encore). I see what she wants, and it would work well for that purpose. But first I've got to recreate the logo. It would take me a couple of days to do this by hand, so first I'm looking to see if there isn't a nice tool to use that can trace it out and give me vector paths.

Any ideas?

Paul R Johnson · September 28th, 2010, 02:12 PM

The trace function in illustrator could work for you - depending on the complexity of the image. Although for colour images, I rather like to use a plug in called fluid mask in photoshop which cuts out rather nicely, so I tend to make new layers using that now rather than use illustrator.

Battle Vaughan · September 28th, 2010, 06:19 PM

If you choose the Illustrator solution, here is a tutorial on the process: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/il...2ttlvtrace.pdf

Steve Kalle · September 29th, 2010, 05:43 PM

Hey Battle,

My new employee says THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I had him working on several logos converting them into vector based so I can use them within Cinema 4D. He knows Photoshop but is still learning IL (and I am not very good with IL either) so this just saved him several hours.

However, either he has NOT been watching Lynda.com like he told me or Live Trace is considered more advanced and is in a later class.

PS from me, THANKS!

Bruce Watson · October 4th, 2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle Vaughan

If you choose the Illustrator solution, here is a tutorial on the process: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/il...2ttlvtrace.pdf

Ah, cool. That works quite nicely. Thanks!

Battle Vaughan · October 4th, 2010, 02:53 PM

@ Steve and Bruce, glad it worked for you!

September 28th, 2010, 01:45 PM	#1
Bruce Watson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 710	production premium cs5, raster to vector Is there an easy way to trace out a raster logo and convert it to vector for easy scaling -- using any of the tools in Production Premium? Client supplied me with a simple graphic logo as a flattened photoshop file (*.psd) without layers, and on a white background. I've asked the client and this all they have. Client wants me to pull it apart and rebuild it in a motion graphic (After Effects), for use in a splash screen for a DVD (Encore). I see what she wants, and it would work well for that purpose. But first I've got to recreate the logo. It would take me a couple of days to do this by hand, so first I'm looking to see if there isn't a nice tool to use that can trace it out and give me vector paths. Any ideas?

September 28th, 2010, 02:12 PM	#2
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	The trace function in illustrator could work for you - depending on the complexity of the image. Although for colour images, I rather like to use a plug in called fluid mask in photoshop which cuts out rather nicely, so I tend to make new layers using that now rather than use illustrator.

September 28th, 2010, 06:19 PM	#3
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	If you choose the Illustrator solution, here is a tutorial on the process: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/il...2ttlvtrace.pdf

September 29th, 2010, 05:43 PM	#4
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Hey Battle, My new employee says THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I had him working on several logos converting them into vector based so I can use them within Cinema 4D. He knows Photoshop but is still learning IL (and I am not very good with IL either) so this just saved him several hours. However, either he has NOT been watching Lynda.com like he told me or Live Trace is considered more advanced and is in a later class. PS from me, THANKS!

October 4th, 2010, 02:53 PM	#6
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	@ Steve and Bruce, glad it worked for you!