Expert: Amy - 3/18/2008

Question
Amy, I am trying to create a logo in Illustrator 10. I imported a jpeg and I want to add type in Illustrator. I want to export it back to CS2 as a path to make a watermark for photos. Does the jpeg have to be converted to a vector image? If so, how do I do that? Thanks, Mack

Answer
Hi Mack,

I'm not sure why you need to export as paths - if you are making a Digimark registered watermark, I'm not sure of the requirements for that, so I can't answer if that's the case...

If you're just making a watermark for yourself, to manually place on photos, why don't you just copy the jpeg and type out of Illustrator (either one at a time or all together) and paste as Pixels (or paths) into the open photoshop document? Then you can resize and play with effects and transparency and make a really nice watermark.

There's no way to convert a jpeg to vector, you can only trace it. And in version 10, you would have to manually trace it. Tough if not impossible...

If I didn't understand the question correctly, let me know. I'm not familiar with all the plug-ins in PhotoShop - you might be using one I don't know about to watermark your images.

Let me know!
Amy