There are two types of digital images: rasters and vectors. Raster images are composed of individual pixels and contain extensive detail, but they lose quality when enlarged. Conversely, a vector image is constructed from lines and shapes, allowing them to be resized without any quality loss.
When faced with a raster graphic that’s too small, converting it to a vector in Adobe Illustrator is an effective solution. The process is quick, mostly automated, and yields excellent results. Here’s a detailed guide on how to convert an image to a vector using Illustrator.
What Is a Vector Image?
A vector image is a scalable graphic that uses values rather than pixels. Most online images are raster images that use square pixels to depict an image. Vector graphics, on the other hand, use scalable color polygons for this purpose. This allows vector images to have precise lines and vibrant colors.
Due to the formulaic geometry of vector images, they are resolution-independent, meaning they maintain quality regardless of scaling. This is unlike raster images, which degrade in quality when resized. You can distinguish these images by their file formats: raster images like JPG and GIF, versus vector images like SVG, EPS, or AI.
Converting a JPG file to a vector in Adobe Illustrator allows for scalable images without losing quality. Let’s go through the steps of creating a vector image.
Step 1: Pick an Image to Convert to Vector
The image you choose won’t impact the process significantly, but larger images may take more time to edit. Some images convert to vectors better than others. It’s preferable to use an image of a single subject rather than a landscape. The image should ideally have a white or transparent background and be in a format like JPG, GIF, or PNG.
We’ll use an image of Ryu from the Street Fighter series, which serves as a good example due to its single subject and suitability for a vector format, commonly used for logos and icons.
Step 2: Select an Image Trace Preset
Illustrator offers a tool called Image Trace with several presets to help vectorize images automatically. Choose the Image Trace preset that closely matches your image type for the best results. Here are your options:
- High Fidelity Photo and Low Fidelity Photo: These create very detailed or slightly less detailed vector images ideal for photos or complex artwork.
- 3 Colors, 6 Colors, and 16 Colors: These generate vector images with three, six, or 16 colors, perfect for logos or flat-colored artwork.
- Shades of Gray: Produces a detailed grayscale image.
- Black and White Logo: Creates a simple two-color logo.
- Sketched Art, Silhouettes, Line Art, and Technical Drawing: Best for specific types of images, creating primarily line-based drawings.
Open your image in Illustrator and select it to access the image options. These are visible in the Quick Actions section of the Properties panel or in a toolbar above your Illustrator window if using the Essentials Classic workspace. Click the Image Trace button and select your preset. For our example, High Fidelity Photo or Low Fidelity Photo would work best depending on the desired detail level.
Step 3: Vectorize the Image With Image Trace
After clicking the button, the tracing process begins automatically. Your image will show several changes but should remain largely the same. For instance, color sections are converted into individual shapes. While much of the original detail might be reduced, the traced version appears sharper and remains clear when zoomed in.
Zoomed out, the image should look nearly identical to the original JPEG.
Step 4: Fine-Tune Your Traced Image
After tracing your image, fine-tune the outcome using the Image Trace panel found in the Window menu. Select Mode to switch between color, grayscale, and black and white. Adjust the Colors slider to simplify or add detail to your vector image.
To reuse your settings, click the Manage Presets button near the Presets option and save them as a new preset. When satisfied, go to File > Export > Export As. Title your file and choose SVG in the Format dropdown menu.
Your scalable vector file is now saved and can be resized or exported in other formats for use in different applications. Always keep the vector image as your master copy.
Illustrator Makes It Easy to Vectorize an Image
Now you understand how to convert an image to a vector in Illustrator, enabling you to resize without losing quality. Note that complex vector files can be larger and take longer to load and edit. However, the quality of your vector image will remain intact regardless of scale.