Vector tracing

**Broon** · 15 November 2005, 03:27 PM

Wow, this thread filled up quick...

After looking a logo over for the best way to rebuild it, I block in my shapes and layer them. Though you can use a single layer (it has its own hierarchy), this can be cumbersome and aggravating to keep the shapes organised in a stacking order.

For the most part, you should use the layer gallery. This may answer what I think is your question of "filling" shapes... as long as they're closed paths. Then build from the bottom up placing one or a series of shapes (or stages of your drawing) onto its own layer.
Hope this helps.

Wayne

**Egg Bramhill** · 15 November 2005, 03:51 PM

Tut 4

**williamdruid** · 15 November 2005, 03:53 PM

Thank you. Did a job awhile back and forgot to set it up on layers, It was definitly a pain to say the least. Willy

**williamdruid** · 15 November 2005, 04:06 PM

Hey Egg! Thanks for the tut. I appreciate the time you took and I'm definitely switching to do it that way. Thanks again, Willy

**Egg Bramhill** · 15 November 2005, 04:45 PM

Tut 5

**Egg Bramhill** · 15 November 2005, 05:02 PM

Wayne
I agree totaly re using Layers, it's a must as far as I'm concerned.

Willy
You're more than welcome.

General notes to anyone whose interested.

1: Why "create a line / convert to shape" instead of just "creating the shape and giving it a line width"? I export to Flash a lot and I avoid using lines like the plague. Secondly I also do a bit of work that is required for Vynil Cutting. The Line Width is meaningless in this case, and the method above is the only way to do this type of work.

2: Why the constant grouping and aligning to an outer circle? I often find that a scanned image is not 100% true (as was the case with Willy's bitmap). Rather than trace the Bitmap blindly, I prefer this centreing method, trusting Xara to give me the correct symetry.

Egg

**williamdruid** · 15 November 2005, 05:18 PM

That's where this is going-to my sign man to print on vinyl. I agree about the picture of the embroidered patch was not symmetrical, didn't notice it till I saw your overlays. You did the whole thing in less time then it took me to trace the first outlines that I posted. Thank a lot and it's back to the drawing tablet for me, Willy

**williamdruid** · 15 November 2005, 05:20 PM

Hey Broon! That is definitely a cool logo, I've got a long way to go. Thanks again, Willy

**Kman** · 15 November 2005, 08:20 PM

Your inputs, Egg and Broon, were great !

And Willy, I find myself constantly learning, by experimenration
and by the kind help from the folks here.

Ken