Vectorizing logos

[Lookin]

Hey is there a program i can get that can vectorize my bitmap,Jpeg etc. logos???

[Teej]

Well yes and no. Illustrator will vectorise a raster image with the live trace function but it doesn't always get the desired results and mostly needs quite a bit of tweaking to get it looking right. The only other option is to use the raster image as a template and redraw the logo, which, if its a simple logo would definately be the best way to go.

[morea]

check out our frequently discussed topics, here:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7892

near the bottom there is a section on "increasing image resolution".

[mac.FINN]

Adobe used to have a program called Streamline, but I think they incorporated it right into the new CS.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Unless your bitmap, jpeg etc... file is of decent quality these programs will not produce what I would call usable. The most accurate way is to redraw using the pen tool, it is tedious and takes practice but is not impossible.

[captain spanky]

yeah, streamline IS live trace... :)
yup, i'd open it in illy and trace over it... :D

[Neuro]

Even though live trace is great, I still prefer to do a lot of my vectors by hand. Gives me more control. I notice with Live Trace that it tends to be more difficult to tweak stuff after it does it's thing.

[PrintDriver]

There is no 'Easy' button.
If at all possible you should try to get a vector logo from the company you are doing the work for. If the logos were designed in a program other than a vector program, well...hope you're charging $$$ for the vectorization. I won't go into how it serves em right if you do.

[tZ]

inskscape has a decent trace tool.

Its easier to use then illustrator in my opinion.

Maybe try that and see where you get.

I would suggest creating it in ink pen then scanning it in so you can get the highest amount of contrast. That way the tracing should be a bit easier to acieve rather then a pencil drawing with little contrast.

[CamarotaDesign]

hope you're charging $$$ for the vectorization. I won't go into how it serves em right if you do.

some bastard tried to trick me into vectorizing their logo while I was doing a product flyer for their company. I dont play dat @$#%!!!!!! You want reproduction of a brand image in vector... you tell me how much the brand is worth and how often you will use that vector, then I'll give you a very appropriate quote.

[miklebud]

There is a feature with Macromedia Flash MX where you can vectorize any image. It's incredibly handy for resizing images, and for getting a nice vector look. You can customize the sizes/detail of the vectors.

[zubaier]

i always the scour the company's website before redrawing - if you can find an annual report pdf or a powerpoint presentation etc they'll often have a vector version of the logo embedded.

[Crimson]

i always the scour the company's website before redrawing - if you can find an annual report pdf or a powerpoint presentation etc they'll often have a vector version of the logo embedded.


what he said! Brands of the world is awesome too for big name stuff. Just remember it is not clipart.

Live trace is cool for vectorizing photos- It ain't perfect but it can save a little time. if it is small and simple then just go the pen tool. with Practice it gets way easier.

[urstwile]

zubaier that's an excellent suggestion!

[Navian]

There is a feature with Macromedia Flash MX where you can vectorize any image. It's incredibly handy for resizing images, and for getting a nice vector look. You can customize the sizes/detail of the vectors.

You mean "break apart"?

[benjo]

Don't use any quick method for this, there is no easy way.

…hold on let me repeat that

Don't use any quick method for this, there is no easy way.

That's like asking a mechanic if there is an automated way to rebuild an engine. Learn how to create and you can recreate anything.

[snipe]

some bastard tried to trick me into vectorizing their logo while I was doing a product flyer for their company. I dont play dat @$#%!!!!!!

Hahaha, so many lowballers. I did a flyer for a club, and he wanted me to vectorize every single sponsor logos. There were about 10 of them. Told him to contact every sponsor himself so they can send him the vectorized images (so then he has the option to send them to me, or to the next guy he hires... I didn't mind losing him, it sucked orking for this guy, he was an idiot)

[Broacher]

PDF web-trolling is my first line of attack-- that is, after the inevitable collapse of communication trying to find someone on the other end who undestands what a vector file is.

If it's a solid line logo, and it's being reduced in print, a good scan process from a decent printed piece is very fast, and once in bw bitmap can be easily coloured in layout.

[LatinoHeat]

Interesting

[greggreg]

Try Corel Trace, it's a great help too.

[Twisty]

I always get the offending bitmap, convert to grayscale in photoshop, blow it up to some reasonable size (usually 400% ish), bump up the contrast so everything is clear, THEN use something like powertrace in corel draw x3. Powertrace works pretty damn well (even if the rest of corel draw doesnt) and doing the extra steps takes a lot of time out of tweaking the nodes afterwards.
Also if the logo has text without too many fancy effects you should ALWAYS find out what font was used (even if it nearly kills you) and recreate the text with that. Traced lettering looks crap. Especially when using it for billboards etc.
I do alot of logo vectorizing and each one is different, but you should always make sure you do it right, then charge them right.
Having an infinately scalable image is worth alot more than a 100x100 pixel jpg.

[1ooScreamingTrees]

You mean "break apart"?

No, he is referring to the "trace bitmap" feature. It's essentially the same concept as Illustrator's livetrace, and yields varying results.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Those auto trace features never give satisfactory results as far as I am concerned and the time you would spend cleaning up the nodes you could redrawn the damn thing by hand in less time. I do all my vectorizing using the pen tool, I hate doing text and the cost most times will mysteriously make people consider using the closest font if the exact one can't be found. Auto traced text looks like crap, but when it's done right using the pen tool it will look great.

[Twisty]

Ive found the new powertrace in coreldraw x3 is a hell of alot better than the old corel trace. You can reduce the nodes and tweak it once youve had a bit of practice to give great results in half the time it would of taken to do it manually. using the pen tool is fine on a small amount of lettering but when its something like "Churches of christ care youth outreach group" it might take you a while. Finding out the font is always the number one priority.