Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 10/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Kevin,
I have searched and searched for "simple" help. You know in the form of showing a 10 year old although I am 41.  My girlfriends have asked me to make thier business cards and I need to turn the JPEG's into vectors using AI 10.  Help??? I have chosen you to ask this to because you have such very high ratings.  Thanks Norma

ANSWER: Hi Norma,

My first suggestion is to purchase one of the classroom in a book series for Ai if you are going to pursue using this, it is simple and goes step by step for beginners.

Next, to turn a jpg image into a vector, you need to first bring it into AI via File>Place. Once it is in your document, make sure it is still selected, then go go Object>Live Trace>Make. Then you can use the preset pull down at the top of the window to choose a setting that works best. When you have a good looking file, go to the options at the top of the window and click the expand button.

Please be aware that if you are using a photo or very detailed image, it will not look exactly the same.

Thanks

Kevin

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

QUESTION: Hi Kevin,
I am using version 10 so I have no Live Trace.  My guess is I have to do this by hand using the pen tool?  Once I over come that then what?  I really am like a 10 year old, but most of that is I have a perfection issue :-}

Answer
Hi Norma,

Yes with version 10, you will have to trace by hand. Sorry I didn't see that you had mentioned v. 10.

Im not sure what you mean then after that then what.. You can remove the original photo and then you are left with your new image.
Thanks

Kevin