Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 2/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Kevin!
I am using Adobe 10, and am trying to expand the appearance of a placed image so I can take the white background away, but the option is not available (nor is "expand"). I have done it before on an image, but can not remember how I did it! Any suggestion would be a great help!
Thank you very much

ANSWER: Hi Gabrielle,

You can "expand" the placed object by selecting the layer in the layers palette, right clicking on the layer and choosing "Rasterize layer" or you can also do this in the layers menu. "Expand" is the menu command in Illustrator, "Rasterize" is the command in Photoshop.

Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kevin. I am working with adobe 10. I tried to do what you said and it didnt work, but maybe i explained it wrong. I want to take an object and have have illustrator recognize all the points and vectors on the image, as opposed to vectors only on the border. If thats possble please let me know! thanks a lot, GChickilly@aol.com

Answer
Hi Gabrielle,

The only option you have is in CS2 and CS3 is to run the new "Live Trace" command which will convert your placed image into a vector object complete with interior and exterior vector points.

If you can find it, there was an Adobe Product called Streamline which ran for only 2 years but did the same thing, although not as good.

Thanks

Kevin