Drawing > Tracing artwork |
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Tracing artwork
You can import bitmap artwork into FreeHand and then use the Trace tool to create paths that follow the outlines of all or part of the artwork. You can trace all of an image within the selection marquee, or you can trace just an area of contiguous color within the image. The Trace tool traces any objects, including FreeHand graphics, bitmap images, and text.
When scanning images to be traced in FreeHand, it is recommended that you use a scan resolution between 300 and 600 dots per inch (dpi). Scanning at a resolution higher than 600 dpi results in too many points. In addition, high-resolution bitmap images require more RAM than lower-resolution images. If RAM is limited, FreeHand uses the lowest allowable resolution setting when tracing.
When tracing bitmap and vector graphics, the default settings for the Trace tool provide good results without using excessive system memory. Before tracing, you should confirm the Trace Tool dialog box settings. The Trace tool's settings are saved to the FreeHand Preferences file when you quit FreeHand.
FreeHand lets you choose several ways to convert color when tracing an object. You can make the following conversions when tracing:
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You can trace a color image to an RGB or CMYK color object. |
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You can trace a grayscale image to a grayscale object. |
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You can trace a color image as a grayscale object. |
To set Trace tool options:
1 |
Double-click the Trace tool in the Tools panel.
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2 |
In the Trace Tool dialog box, set the color mode options. |
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Choose the number of colors, from 2 to 256. Excess colors in the image are converted to the nearest color.
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Choose Colors or Grays to set the color mode of the trace result. |
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If you are tracing in color, choose RGB or CMYK to set the color scheme for the trace result. |
Note: To add colors from imported or traced graphics to the color list in the Swatches panel, choose Xtras > Colors > Name All Colors. |
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3 |
Set the resolution. |
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Choose High to yield more details in the trace result. The trace is slower and uses more memory. |
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Choose Low to yield fewer details in the trace result. The trace is faster and uses less memory. |
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Choose Normal for a result intermediate between High and Low. |
4 |
Select a Trace Layers option: All, Foreground, or Background. FreeHand traces all paths on the designated layers. |
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Set the Path Conversion option to determine how paths are traced: |
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Choose Outline to trace along the outside border of the graphics and create closed, filled paths. Then choose a Path Overlap option: None to trace line art and text; Loose to trace continuous-tone images; or Tight for more precise color tracing. |
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Choose Centerline to trace the center of graphic strokes. Use this option to trace line-intensive graphics with few fills. Then select Uniform to trace with a consistent, 1-point stroke, or deselect Uniform to create paths with varying stroke widths. |
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Choose Centerline/Outline to combine the Outline and Centerline. Then enter an Open Paths Below value to leave paths with widths below that value open. Values are from 2 to 10 pixels. |
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Choose Outer Edge to trace only the outer contours of the graphic, providing an accurate clipping path into which the original graphic can be pasted. |
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Set the Trace Conformity value to determine how closely the traced paths follow the original. Values can range from 0 (less conformity with fewer points) to 10 (greater conformity with more points). |
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Set the Noise Tolerance value to eliminate stray pixels, or noise, in a low-quality original. Values can range from 0 (more noise retained) to 10 (more noise eliminated). |
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Set the Wand Color Tolerance for the sensitivity in selecting areas of contiguous colors. Values can range from 0 (narrower range of colors selected) to 255 (wider range of colors selected). |
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Click OK. |
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