Help with vector logo

[yellowbird]

I am trying to convert the original Jerry's furniture logo into vector shapes. I put some time into working with the shape tool, and have a better result than past efforts, but still need advice. The attached .jpg shows the original drawn logo from a business card I scanned, the second my vector shapes on top of the original, and the third the vector shapes on white background. I've also attached the actual .xar file, so you can view it at 2000% to showw imperfections. I want to be able to use this on around a 4 ft sign that will be up on the building, (not sure how high it is, say 20ft). wondering if it will be good enough or other suggestions. Another issue is the graphic that makes the right side of the J. It is two shapes, I've tryed all the ways to combine shapes, and can't successfully get into one shape. I have Designer Pro +. Thank you for your help and suggestions.

[handrawn]

the last issue - one of those two shapes [the larger] is actually a line, so you need to make it a shape first with 'convert line to shape' on the arrange menu; then you can combine them in the usual way [eg: ctrl+1 ]

[Acorn]

the last issue - one of those two shapes [the larger] is actually a line, so you need to make it a shape first with 'convert line to shape' on the arrange menu; then you can combine them in the usual way [eg: ctrl+1 ]

Instead, select the Shape Tool and press the tab Key.
Grab the end point and set to Line & Cusp (press LZ).
Now press the Enter key to close the shape(s).
Finally, select No Fill.

Since the above I've had a play and resized the page to 55" wide and set the Logo to just under 44".

I added an Inner Contour as mainly 0.18" and a Gold and Black contour for the lettering
I did tweak the J, apostrophe and F.
The J has a Glow Shadow. The F inner notch is now on its side.

The sign without contouring is underneath.

Jerry's Furniture.xar

Acorn

[Chris M]

I cheated and ran the original logo through vectorizer.ai. Attached are the result.
I removed the white background on the second one by CTRL clicking the white bits and deleting.

Jerry BG.svg Jerry.svg

[handrawn]

have to say acorn, your way would take me more time, especially as I have set up a shortcut key for convert line to shape

[Acorn]

have to say acorn, your way would take me more time, especially as I have set up a shortcut key for convert line to shape

handrawn, when you convert a Line to a Shape, it comes with baggage.

If it is a thin line, you effectively double the number of nodes and may not notice as they are paired very close together. Delete one and suddenly an area appears.
For a thicker Line the nodes of a near complete convex object are more separated, almost inner and outer. You still cannot fill in the middle even if you add a piece and Add Shapes.

You have a doughnut arrangement with a shape with no Line width so things do get very messy.
If another looks at an outlined shape, they will expect to be able to easily fill it in and add a node or bend an edge. Your approach scuppers all these.

Acorn

[Marco D]

That's how I would have done it myself.
Hope it could be helpfull.

[Acorn]

That's how I would have done it myself.
Hope it could be helpfull.

Useful if you have the font. OP gave us the image from a business card scan.

Acorn

[handrawn]

mis-posted will try again idc

[handrawn]

handrawn, when you convert a Line to a Shape, it comes with baggage.

If it is a thin line, you effectively double the number of nodes and may not notice as they are paired very close together. Delete one and suddenly an area appears.
For a thicker Line the nodes of a near complete convex object are more separated, almost inner and outer. You still cannot fill in the middle even if you add a piece and Add Shapes.

You have a doughnut arrangement with a shape with no Line width so things do get very messy.
If another looks at an outlined shape, they will expect to be able to easily fill it in and add a node or bend an edge. Your approach scuppers all these.

Acorn

thats as may be, but my method does rather assume you know what you are doing, as indeed does yours

my method joins the two shapes - your's does not, it converts an open line into a closed shape; this will work fine in this instance [provided you remove the leftover shape] bur may not in other situations, without more work

granted your way may be a better default approach, but shortcuts can be useful if they do the job...