Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 7/22/2009

Question
I am wondering if it is possible to take scanned documents or other files containing line drawings, which have been saved into formats such as gif, jpg, tif, pdf or bmp and recognise the lines, so that they can then be manipulated within illustrator. This is similar perhaps to how OCR can recognise characters, which can then be added to/ modified by word processing software.
I want to be able to scan basic floorplans, or receive floorplans saved to one of the formats above, and then make changes to them in Illustrator.

Thanks for your help - much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Bobo,

You can use the Live Trace feature in CS3 or 4 to change scanned images into vector paths. Try using the preset "Technical drawing" and see how that works. After you have the desired effect, hit the "expand" button in the options bar to change it into vector.


Thanks

Kevin