create cuttable outline from Jpg image

[Vinylman]

I need to create a cutable {vector outline} from customer supplied jpgs.
I am attaching a sample. What is the EASIEST fastest way to drop out the background, and create on a separate layer, the vector cuttable outine. this outline will be used to cut around the photo image.
I am using the latest version of XARA, any help will be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

[gwpriester]

To create a vector path, I would use Xara's vector drawing tool to create an outline around the image.

I like to work with the Shape Tool, and create a series of line segments and then as needed to drag those line segments into curves as needed.

[Vinylman]

I am very familiar with the vector drawing tool. I am looking for a FASTER cleaner way to do this. My client doesn't want to pay me for the time to draw everything by hand. Soooo. I am looking for a down and dirty way to get "close" then spend a few minutes making final cleaning up steps. Trying to get this done in less than 15 Minutes tops for an image as presented here.

Is this Possible?

[handrawn]

I am very familiar with the vector drawing tool. I am looking for a FASTER cleaner way to do this. My client doesn't want to pay me for the time to draw everything by hand. Soooo. I am looking for a down and dirty way to get "close" then spend a few minutes making final cleaning up steps. Trying to get this done in less than 15 Minutes tops for an image as presented here.

Is this Possible?

not in xara - maybe not at all AfAIK

all the faster ways are probably not clean enough - ok for art, but not for cutting

drawing is boring but it is fast once you get the hang of it, just takes practice...

if you have a sharp high resolution image in a format that is lossless you might be able to edge trace it automatically - but not in xara

[steve.ledger]

I often find I waste more time trying to find a quicker way of doing something than getting on and doing it in the first place. Just a thought

[handrawn]

amen

[steve.ledger]

Was in the mood for a challenge.

How does 12 minutes and 18 seconds sound?

[Rik]

I would have done exactly what Gary suggested.
In fact, the Shape Editor Tool is my favourite tool in Xara!

So. As an exercise. I thought I would see how long it takes.
It took me 20 minutes.

But, 5 minutes was to do the background!

[gwpriester]

Sledger - Your 12 minute solution reminds me of a photo shoot I did years ago for Datsun (Nissan).

I was working with one of the top car photographers who lit two cars in a studio in a few hours time. The cars looked like jewels.

Next door there was a film crew lighting a set for a car commercial. They spent most of the day, used every light they could lay their hand on and the cars looked flat and dull.

Some of the crew wandered into the studio we were working on, took one look at the simple lighting solution, and said, Wow, that looks fantastic! How long did it take you to light those cars.

The photographer responded, 2 hours. And 14 years.

[steve.ledger]

The photographer responded, 2 hours. And 14 years.

Yes, dead right..