◆ Illustrator · trace

Image Processing

Turn the photographed diary entry into a black vector line on a white artboard: place the photo, run image-trace to ca…

2heights
4tasks
2roles do it
See the prompt↓More trace workflows

The same job, four prompts

do it · improve it · decide · become
AExecute — “help me do it”Turn the photographed diary entry into a black vector line on a white artboard: place the…+
Turn the photographed diary entry into a black vector line on a white artboard: place the photo, run image-trace to capture the handwriting, expand and clean obvious stray points so the stroke reads sharply at 200% magnification.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”Prepare the traced handwriting for publication so editors won't reject it: refine stroke…+
Prepare the traced handwriting for publication so editors won't reject it: refine stroke fidelity where descenders and ligatures matter, smooth jagged anchors without losing character, and provide a clean vector file plus a flattened PNG for layout testing at 300 dpi.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
The tool
Image Trace

Image Trace converts raster images like JPEGs, PNGs, and PSDs into editable vector artwork.

  1. 1

    Create a new Illustrator document by choosing File > New.

  2. 2

    Select File > Place, choose your raster image, and place it on the canvas.

    NoteImage Trace will be grayed out if the placed image is already a vector.

  3. 3

    With the image selected, open the Image Trace panel via Window > Image Trace.

    NoteAlternatively, select a preset from the Control panel.

  4. 4

    Check the Preview box in the Image Trace panel to see real-time changes.

  5. 5

    Select a mode from the Mode dropdown menu that best suits your design.

  6. 6

    Adjust the Colors, Grays, or Threshold slider as needed.

  7. 7

    Select Manage Presets to create, save, or manage custom presets.

  8. 8

    Press and hold next to View to compare the traced image with the source image.

  9. 9

    Click the Expand button in the Control panel or Object > Image Trace > Expand.

    Best practiceAfter expanding, use the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) to fix awkward curves or jagged lines.

  10. 10

    Ungroup the traced image by selecting Object > Ungroup to edit individual vector paths.

For best results, always start with a high-quality raster image before using Image Trace.

Image Trace functionality is not directly exposed through Illustrator's scripting API for automated vectorization.

Glossary

words on this page
Selection toolA primary tool used to select, move, and resize entire objects in your artwork.ExampleYou use the Selection tool to grab a photo and drag it to a new position on the page.
Image TraceA feature that converts raster images into editable vector artwork.ExampleA scanned drawing is converted into editable vector lines and shapes.
UngroupTo separate grouped objects into individual, editable components while maintaining their original positions.ExampleTo adjust one shape within a logo, you first Ungroup the entire design.
ExpandA command that converts appearances, effects, or objects into editable paths.ExampleYou expand a brush stroke to turn its appearance into a solid, editable shape.

The real tasks

2 of them
Turn a photographed diary entry into sharp, editable line artwork so the handwriting can be enlarged without blur for publication.
Turn a microscope photo of a contamination pattern into a simplified vector overlay for investigation reports.

Who does this

2 roles
Quality Control Analyst (Biotech)Historian

Questions people ask

honest answers

Because you rarely think 'I want the redaction tool'. You think 'I have to share this without leaking the client's details'. Start from the need, and the feature finds you.

Real. Every job here was drawn from what people in real roles were actually seen doing in Illustrator — not a feature checklist.

No. Each page gives you a ready prompt you can paste into an AI assistant, plus the plain steps to do it yourself. Start with either — the goal is the finished job, not the tool.