If you’re a graphic designer, chances are you’ve had to vectorize an image at some point. Vectorizing is the process of converting a raster image (a bitmap) into a vector graphic.
This can be done for a number of reasons, but most often it’s because the image will be used for print and the designer wants to avoid any potential issues with resolution. Vector graphics are made up of lines and curves defined by mathematical objects called vectors, which describe an image based on the points they connect
There are a few different ways that you can vectorize an image in Photoshop, but we’re going to focus on one in particular: using the Image Trace tool. This tool is found in the Window menu under “Image Trace”.
When you open the Image Trace panel, you’ll see a number of different options that you can adjust to get the results you want. The first thing you need to do is select the mode. There are four different modes:
- Black and White: This mode will trace the image and output it as black and white.
- Color: This mode will trace the image and output it in color.
- Grayscale: This mode will trace the image and output it in grayscale.
For our purposes, we’re going to choose the “Color” mode.
The next thing you need to do is adjust the threshold. The threshold is basically how sensitive Photoshop is to changes in color. A low threshold will result in more colors being detected, while a high threshold will result in fewer colors being detected. You’ll want to experiment with this setting to see what looks best for your particular image.
The last thing you need to do is adjust the path fidelity.
This setting determines how accurately Photoshop traces the paths in your image. A low fidelity setting will result in fewer paths being traced, while a high fidelity setting will result in more paths being traced. Again, you’ll want to experiment with this setting to see what looks best for your particular image.
Once you’ve got your settings dialed in, all you need to do is click on the “Trace” button and Photoshop will do its thing. Depending on the size and complexity of your image, it may take a few seconds or a few minutes for Photoshop to complete the tracing process.
There are a few different ways that you can vectorize an image in Photoshop, but using the Image Trace tool is one of the most popular methods. This tool can be found in the Window menu under “Image Trace”. When you open the Image Trace panel, you’ll see a number of different options that can be adjusted to get desired results. First, select the mode. There are four modes: Black and White, Color, Grayscale, and High Contrast Color. For most purposes, Color mode will suffice. Next, adjust threshold.
The threshold is how sensitive Photoshop is to changes in color. A low threshold means more colors will be detected while a high threshold means fewer colors will be detected. Experiment with this setting until an acceptable balance is achieved. Lastly, set path fidelity. This setting determines how accurately Photoshop traces paths in your image. A low fidelity means fewer paths will be traced while a high fidelity means more paths will be traced resulting in a more detailed vector graphic. Once all settings are where they need to be, click “Trace” and Photoshop will begin vectorizing the image which may take several seconds or minutes depending on size and complexity of original raster file
