how do you hand trace a bitmap shape?

[davelash]

I'd like to get better and faster at hand tracing bitmap shapes. I've attached a bass clef symbol that's part of a current project. I need to turn it into a vector shape. (I don't want to use Bitmap Tracer.)

So here's my current method:
1. I zoom in as close as the shape allows.
2. Then I set the Shape Editor Tool to draw a 0.25 pt line in a contrasting color. No fill -- so I can see the bitmap below. (Also, lock the bitmap below.)
3. Place points on any corners or inflection points with the Shape Editor Tool.
4. Then use the same tool to bend each resulting arc to fit the bitmap below.
5. When the shape is right, I can change fill it or change the line color.

For most shapes, this system works well. But for continuous curves like this bass clef, I'm uncertain where the right points are. I end up with too few or too many, and the bending gets out of whack and suddenly I'm in trial and error mode and wasting a lot of time.

I'd like more clarity on where to place the points. I'm wondering if there's a pro or two who would be willing to share where they would place the points on this bass clef. And how do you decide?

Many thanks,
Dave

[iamtheblues]

Hi Dave, I expect each reply you get will be a bit different, but here's the way I did it.
The reason for placing each node depends on the individual shape. Taking the point one up from the bottom left as my starting point, I placed the next node at the point where the curve will change direction and keep doing this. try not to place the following nodes more than a quadrant of a circle apart, and it makes it easier to bend the lines. Counting the nodes from my starting point, the fourth node is placed where the path changes direction sharply. Other than that, I set my curves and lines on the info bar as highlighted in my second attachment.
Saludos,
Bob.

[Albacore]

I think Bob has shown you the easiest way to make it vector when it is as simple as your example. The point that I would make is why not use a musical notation font to get the example that you want without going through all the hassle of tracing. Just do a Google search of musical notation font and install it in your system.

[Egg Bramhill]

I do it very similar to Bob but I try to place the nodes a bit more accurately to where the line changes direction and then Ctrl-drag the node to keep the node handles 0-180 or 090-270 degrees.

[steve.ledger]

Doesn't that constrain the 'drag' to 90 or 45 degree direction movement though Egg?

[Egg Bramhill]

Sorry I should have said the bezier handles, not the node.

[davelash]

try not to place the following nodes more than a quadrant of a circle apart

Bob, this is great advice. I tried it and many of the problems I get into stem from not "knowing" this.

Egg, is there something you did to turn on all the curve (bezier) handles at once? Or did you create a mockup?

Thanks to all. This is just the info I was hoping for.

Dave

[Egg Bramhill]

No, it's not possible to turn them all on at once. As you guessed Dave it was a mock-up of numerous screen grabs.

[davelash]

No, it's not possible to turn them all on at once. As you guessed Dave it was a mock-up of numerous screen grabs.

Watch out for these moderators! They're sneaky! ;-)

Thanks again!