Converting to Vectors

Is there an easy way to convert .jpg images to vector based files? In Photoshop, yes, and... no.

CC uses Windows XP with Photoshop 6 in Canada, writing:

I'm trying to find a way to convert a .jpg image into a vector based image so that it can be screened onto shirts. Is there a way to convert a bitmap image into a vector image?

Unless you have a very good 'original' image, that is very large, vector tracing programs such as Adobe Streamline, or perhaps the autotrace in Illustrator, Corel, Canvas, or even Photoshop will do very poorly.

Nope, sorry, my friend -- although many people swear by these 'shortcut' techniques, they usually give less than acceptable results. The only "best" way to do it is to utilize the Pen tool and manually trace the image to generate vector objects.

The edge definition of JPG files is usually too blurry to get any kind of 'auto' trace. You might try selecting using "Select > Color Range" or use "Replace Color" techniques to isolate areas of the image, then convert those active selections to paths via the Paths Palette.

However, we feel you'll then be spending more time 'cleaning up' those paths than it would take to hand-vector the paths in the first place.

http://www.photoshop911.com/emergency.html

See past cases:
http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/Tips/index.html

Comments

[Evan Rowe]

what are the key essentials/ basic principals i would need to take an image from my computer and use is for sreenprinting t-shirts

[gautch]

Read this tutorial...
http://www.heathrowe.com/tuts/vector.asp