Vectorizing a Line

Hey Folks

I've been starting to experiment with Vectorizing a image, but Im having trouble getting a line vectorized (see link)..

http://h1.ripway.com/Nerosus/Misc/VectorLine.jpg

I found something about stroking a path, but it dosn't become vectorized and I tried creating a shape around the line, but it always becomes awkward and wierd, looking horrible.. It can be done the second way, but it would take allot of time and I was hoping there was an easier way..

link no workie

Aaaw.. Dum link :P
http://yfrog.com/ccvectorlinej

hi,
well I was hoping someone much better than me.. hopefully idad jump back in.... but any way this is my view..... and hope i don't get too long winded....lol ..

keep in mind that photoshop is pixal (raster) based program!! so when it talks about vector it not a true vectors . for it to do things that classified as vector it has to massage/simulate ...
also there isn't a vector brush! and that why you get the results you get in your picture!!

now as far as photoshop , they use vector elements to give you sharper selections, and sharper edges and nice design work which later you fill in or brush or what ever ... ....... but basically it for making your outlines!


now the basic tools that are used will be your pen tool and that used to draw your basic shape , then you have your path selection and you have your "shapes"

generally what done is to using your pen tool to create your vector lines, you draw your design and you would maybe either stroke it, or create a selection from it..
note: when stroking...a sharp edge line, make sure either you use pincile or a hard edge brush ... soft edge brushes will definitely give you a more more raggedly look...

now many people, depending on there project might take that vector line or selection and then bring that into there vector program (like illustrator) to finish the project or do some additon stuff and then bring it back in to photoshop ...
note: although illustrator is mentioned a lot, but it expensive, there are a one or two freeware vector programs that is very similar to illustrator)

i don't know what tutorials you look at but here a couple it not so important what the tutorial is about but the supporting info it addresses..

in this tutorial the first half is important..
http://www.teamphotoshop.com/articles-The-Techniques-Creating-a-Vector-image-in-Photoshop-5,8,101a.html

what important here is to notice how there using vector lines to select parts...
http://www.photoshopcstutorials.co.uk/html/vector_illustrations_photoshop.html

I have added this one because it addreses using the pen tool
http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/pen/pen.htm

well those are my thoughts i hope there usefull....

Your explanation and the tutorials you dig up always get my attention,other sites as well. You should earn you some rep points,I have to start doing that I always over look that. Nice post jerry

hi idad,
thank you...

when i do something like this... it helps me learn...
it like this one tutorial i helped some one with .... in helping the guy
i learned a lot about vector masking and seemless collages and blendings.. the only problem is unless i do it several times i tend to forget..lol

iDad said:

Your explanation and the tutorials you dig up always get my attention,other sites as well. You should earn you some rep points,I have to start doing that I always over look that. Nice post jerry

So many ways to do things, it's easy to forget

The first tutorial somewhat deals with what I want to do (stroking a path with a pen so that the path is equally thick all the way).. But I already tried that guide but the line which is stroked isn't vector..

But I decided to try and create the outline "manually" so to speak:
http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/27-044328L/9649/jpg/04/2010/img6/glowfoto

As you can see, the line are rather uneven.. This can be fixed by keep working on it, tweaking it here an there.. But I hope there is an easier way since it could take a long time..
NOTE: I know the image i send was not vector, it was just to show what it looks like now :P

hi,
your right it not a vector... basically only with the pen tool can you get a vector line but you always need to stroke it... and that brush or pencil is a raster and hence you get those jaggies...

what your referring to is what commonly are called jaggies....

if avail with a particular tool, you want to look at your anti-alias setting , a lot of time that will minimize it.... but sometime no....

now i came across this little tutorial that might work for you... in this particular instance...

http://www.lunacore.com/photoshop/tutorials/tut001.htm

but overall this is why people will use a vector program (like illustrator) along with photoshop... they'll use illustrator to get nice sharp lines that they need and then bring that into photoshop to finish up...

Neros said:

The first tutorial somewhat deals with what I want to do (stroking a path with a pen so that the path is equally thick all the way).. But I already tried that guide but the line which is stroked isn't vector..

But I decided to try and create the outline "manually" so to speak:
http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/27-044328L/9649/jpg/04/2010/img6/glowfoto

As you can see, the line are rather uneven.. This can be fixed by keep working on it, tweaking it here an there.. But I hope there is an easier way since it could take a long time..
NOTE: I know the image i send was not vector, it was just to show what it looks like now :P

what your referring to is what commonly are called jaggies....

if avail with a particular tool, you want to look at your anti-alias setting , a lot of time that will minimize it.... but sometime no....

now i came across this little tutorial that might work for you... in this particular instance...


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