Convert Jpg to Vector – Auto Vs Manual Tracing Which Works Better

There are two main ways to convert JPG to vector in Adobe Illustrator.

Auto vs. manual vector tracing, by which you can convert a raster image (JPG) into a vector image (SVG, EPS) to obtain a higher-quality photo so that you can use it for digital and printing purposes.

You may choose to convert a JPG to a vector image to obtain a higher-quality photo better suited for scaling and printing.

However, you may choose any of them depending on the complexity of your image and your desired outcome.

Also, you can often combine both methods to get the best results.

In this article, we will show how you can convert JPG to vector and which method works best.

Automatic vector tracing in Adobe Illustrator is a faster option that can help you to convert JPG to vector effortlessly especially if you are going to used it for simpler JPG images.

Here’s how you can do automatic vector tracing in Adobe Illustrator:

Step no: 1.

• Open a new document in Illustrator.
• Go to File > Place and select your JPG image.

Step no: 2.

• Click on the image to see the top menu options change.
• Select Object > Live Trace.

Step no: 3.

• In the Live Trace panel, choose a tracing preset (e.g., Black & White, Color) based on your image. You can experiment with different settings to get the best results.

Step no: 4.

• Click Expand to convert the traced image into editable vector paths.

Step no: 5.

• Refine the vector image if needed using the Pen Tool or other editing tools in Illustrator.

Save the final vector file in a format like SVG, EPS, or PDF (choose the format based on your needs).

Manual vector tracing in Adobe Illustrator offers more control and it is ideal for complex images that have more colors shading and intricate details.

However, manual vector tracing requires practice and expertise of making vector paths in Adobe Illustrator.

Here’s a basic overview of how you can convert JPG to vector in Adobe Illustrator.

Step no: 1.

Open Adobe Illustrator in your computer by double click its icon.

 Step no: 2.

Now go to the “file” and click open.

Explore that JPG file which you want to convert, Select and open the image from your device and Click the ‘embed’ button on the selected image.

Learn more on what is Embed Image in Adobe Illustrator?

Step no: 3

Now start making Layer of your JPG image from the “Layers” panel (usually found on the right side), click on the “Create New Layer” button to create a new layer.

Step no: 4

Start Tracing an Image from the “pen tool” from the toolbar on the left side.

Step no: 5

Not it’s time to setting up the artboard.

You can set the dimensions and settings for your artboard as per your preference, such as Name, dimension of the artboard, and color mode.

Also, from advanced preset options, you can set the color mode of your image/artboard.

Step no: 6.

Now adjust anchor points and curves of your JPG image for precise tracing and use the fill Tool to add colors to your traced shapes.

Step no: 7

Once you got finished, save your JPG file in a vector format like SVG, EPS, or PDF.

In Adobe Illustrator, for converting a JPG file to vector, the best method depends on the complexity of the image and the desired outcome.

Here’s a breakdown of auto vs manual tracing in Illustrator:

Automatic Vector Tracing (Live Trace):

Pros:

• Live Trace can convert an image in seconds, a huge time saver for basic conversions.
• Works well for logos with flat colors, basic clip art, or high-contrast black and white images with clear lines.
• Live Trace offers different presets (Black & White, Color, etc.) to get a starting point.

Cons:

• You have less control over the final outcome. Live Trace might miss details or create unwanted artifacts in complex images.
• Results might require further edits, especially with gradients, shadows, or intricate details.

Manual Vector Tracing (Pen Tool):

Pros:

• With practice, you can achieve highly accurate and clean vector tracings that perfectly capture the original JPG, including fine details.
• You have complete control over every line, path, and anchor point, allowing for precise adjustments and a perfect result.
• Ideal for complex illustrations, logos with text, or images with gradients and intricate details.

Cons:

• Manual tracing can take considerably longer than using Live Trace.

Here’s our recommendation for using Illustrator’s tools:

Use Live Trace for: Simple logos, flat icons, or black and white clip art where a basic conversion is sufficient.

Use the Pen Tool for: Complex illustrations, logos with text, images with gradients or detailed textures, or situations where precise work is required.

Remember, the best method to convert JPG to vector depends on your specific project.

Always consider the image complexity, required level of detail, and time frame before choosing auto or manual tracing in Illustrator.

In the race of auto vs manual vector conversion, the best method depends on the complexity of your image and the desired outcome, because auto-tracing is faster for simple images, while manual tracing offers more control for complex ones.

You can often combine both methods for better results.