Help with the “vector illustration look” (Illustrator / Xara etc.)

[bashaz]

Hi there!

I am a vector virgin and need some help in vectorizing a JPEG. This image already has a faux vector illustration look but the lines a still quite blurry and the curves should be smoother.

After bitmap tracing the image, I need help on how to easily smooth out and sharpen the lines, curves and edges – please see the attached image. Is there an easy tool or plugin available for Illustrator that can perform this?

I’ve played around with “Silhouette” (Silhouette: vectorization software for Macintosh and Windows) and don’t get the results I need.

If anyone knows of a quick and easy way to do this – please let me know

Thanks!

Bash

[Jacorre]

Have you tried the Live Trace option in Illustrator?

[bashaz]

Yeah I’ve tried 3 apps for tracing – Illustrator, Xara and vectromagic.com – they all make the color patches and edges jaggedy (like posterized). If I can find a way that can smooth out and simplify the edges…..

Anyone?

Thanks

[Jacorre]

Your best option is tracing the image yourself using the Pen tool. That way you have total control of what it will look like.

[tamlin]

How to make Smooth Lines in Illustrator | BittBox

Illustrator CS3

[synthetic]

if you were looking for smooth transitions between the patches of color... that is going to require use of the blends probably in Illustrator and its going to be probably one of those things you will have to spend time on to get it right and no quick way

another idea... Painter... its not vector but... you can get the painterly or illustrative look much better using its tools while cloning a photo