DMA104 :: Carolina Panthers Logo :: NE Patriots Logo
Tracing Bitmapped Images In Illustrator
Question: It's already a design! Why do I have to trace it in Illustrator?
Answer: When you have a vector version of a logo, you have an unlimited number of ways to use it (hi-res print, multimedia, merchandising, web design, etc..) You do not have that freedom with a pixel version.
1. Download these logo designs from Dmitry Kirsanov Studios:
2. Open Illustrator. Make sure the document is 612 x 792 pixels, RGB color.
3. Next, we are going to place the bitmapped image in Illustrator. In your menu, go to FILE > PLACE. Locate the Nuesoft Healthcare logo.
4. When placed in Illustrator, it may appear very large. You can scle it down with the Selection Tool. Press CTRL (-) to zoom out. Hold the SHIFT key, and make the logo smaller. The logo should have a blue bounding box around it.
5. Setting Up The Original Layer:
Open up the Layers (F7 or Window > Layers). We are going to use the layers to separate our original image from the traced image. We will also use the layers to lock the logo down and dim it so it'll be easier to trace.
Double-click on Layer 1. Name it "Original". Click the box that says "Lock" and the box that says "Dim Image To..." Hit OK.
6. Setting Up The TRACE Layer:
Now that you've set the original layer, you need to create a layer for the trace. At the bottom of the Layer window, there is a New Layer icon (next to the trash). Click on it. Double-click that layer to open it up. Name it "Trace" (Do Not Dim It or Lock it!!!!). Hit ok.
7. Set up your Pen Tool. Your Pen Tool should have a No Fill / Black Stroke setting.
8. Begin tracing the logo as shown below.
9. Use the Direct Selection Tool to adjust any of the handles, if necessary.
10. Since the other pieces of the logo are similar to the one you just traced, you can use a copy. Use the Selection Tool and the ALT key to drag a copy of the shape. Then use the Direct Selection Tool to adjust the anchor points.
11. Repeat the above process until all 4 arches are complete.
12. Sampling Colors
- Window > Swatches
- Open the swatches window all the way, so you can see the empty areas of grey.
- Select the Eyedropper Tool
- Hold SHIFTand click the color in the logo to sample it. Release the Shift key
- Drag the sampled color from the Color Chips to the Swatches
13. Matching the Font. Type the letters "nuesoft" with the Type Tool. Then select the Direct Selection Tool. Open the Character Palette (CTRL+T) and scroll through the fonts to match the original font as closely as possible. Try adjusting the kerning, height and width of the font in the character window.
