When you take a photograph with a digital camera, or scan a photo into your computer, the image is stored as a raster, or "pixel-based" image, meaning it is composed of thousands of individually colored pixels. If you want to edit the elements in the picture, you'll need to draw over the existing photo, changing the pixels. To create a picture with elements that can be easily moved, enlarged or otherwise edited, you must convert it to a vector image (an image based on mathematical formulas). This can be done using a vector conversion program or the conversion function in a vector graphics program.
Instructions
Adobe Illustrator
1. Download and install "Adobe Illustrator" (see Resources section below). Launch Adobe Illustrator. Click the "Print Document" option from the "Create New" menu, then click "OK" to create a new image artboard.
2. Click the "File" menu and choose "Place." Click to select the raster photo image from your hard drive, then click "Place." Click and drag the corner arrows while holding the "SHIFT" key on your keyboard to make the photo fit the dimensions of the artboard.
3. Click the photo to select it, then click the "Object" menu. Click "Live Trace," then "Tracing Options."
4. Click to select "Photo High Fidelity" from the "Preset" drop-down menu. Click to select "Color" from the "Mode" menu. Click the "Trace" button to convert the photo into a vector image.
5. Click "File" and "Save." Type in a name for the new vector image file, then choose a format from the "Save as type" drop-down menu. Click "Save" to save the image.
RasterVect
6. Download and install "RasterVect" (see Resources).
7. Launch the "RasterVect" program. Select "Normal Mode" and click "OK." Click the "Wizard Mode" button. Click to select "From File" and click "Next."
8. Click to select the photo you wish to convert to a vector image, then click "Open." Click "Recognize as color image." Click "Next." Click "Skip this step," then click "Next."
9. Click "Next" to begin the vectorization process. Click to select "Few errors," then click "Next." Click "Skip this step," then click "Next."
10. Click "Vector file," then click "Next." Type in a file name and choose a save directory. Click to choose your preferred vector image format from the "Save as type" drop-down menu. Click "Save" to finish the conversion process.
VectorMagic
11. Click the "VectorMagic" link in the Resources section to open the VectorMagic.com website.
12. Click the "Upload Image to Trace" button.
13. Click to select the photo you wish to convert from your hard drive, then click "Open."
14. Click the "Download Result" button in the top right corner of the web page. Type in your email address and click the "I accept. Create my account." button.
15. Check your email inbox and click on the message from "VectorMagic." Click the "Click here to access your auto-traced result" link, then click "Enable Download." Click one of the image format buttons, then click "Save" to download your vector image.
