How to Convert an Image to Vector

Converting images from one file format to another is a basic skill that every designer needs to know. The good thing about this is that there are plenty of tools and tutorials online that will teach you exactly what you need to know! (Thanks, technology!)

Vector graphics are a common file type that designers and advertisers need to master. After all, it is the preferred format for all kinds of printing, stickering, embroidery, banners, promotional gifts and various other advertising materials

There are many ways to convert images to vector. In this article, we discuss some of them.

What is a vector file?

To better understand what a vector file is, it is best to start with the two categories in which digital images are found: raster images and vector images.

You may already be familiar with a grid image. These images are .jpg (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or .png (Portable Network Graphics) file types. When you zoom in on a .jpg or .png image, you will notice that the image becomes blurry and you begin to see small square dots. These dots are called pixels. This is the basis of a raster image: Small Flat Dots that make up the entire image.

On the other hand, you have a vector image. Vector files consist of mathematical formulas rather than flat, solid and solid-colored pixels. The formulas create the points, paths, lines, curves, shapes and colors you see in a vector image.

The main feature of a vector image is that it is infinitely scalable without compromising the quality of the image. No matter how far you zoom in or how much you enlarge a vector image, it remains razor sharp. And so the resolution also remains high! Some common file formats for vector files are .ai (Adobe Illustrator), .eps (Encapsulated PostScript) and .svg (Scalable Vector Graphic).

What is a vector file used for?

Vector graphics are mainly used in all kinds of printing, stickering, embroidery, banners, promotional gifts and a host of other advertising materials. So most of the printing you see was probably a vector file first. And most logos, icons and other images you see online are also vector graphics.

What can you do with vector graphics

Vector files can be infinitely enlarged without loss of quality, which is why they are ideal for large-scale printing, such as billboards, banners and other large-format printing. But vector files are also great for smaller prints such as business cards, packaging and stickers because even the smallest details are guaranteed to be sharp and clear.

In general, it is always a good idea to save graphics as vector files because of their smaller file size compared to a raster image. You can also easily update and edit vector files, and you can export them to any other file format you need at any time.

What Tools Can You Use to Convert an Image to Vector

There are several software applications that offer the ability to create vector files. Some popular professional software include Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. There is also open source and free software such as Inkscape and Vectr.

Alternatively, there are websites where you can upload your image and convert it to vector. The downside of using free and automatic conversion tools like this one is that you don’t get an accurate picture. Some contain watermarks, while others simply do not produce high-resolution vector files.

You can also hire a professional vector service, such as Vector Galaxy, to do the work for you.

The benefits are:

• Your vector is drawn manually by a graphic professional. So always a good result.
• You don’t have to tinker yourself. So it takes you much less time
• Finished within 24 hours.
• Need a little adjustment? Like changing a color or removing text from your logo? We are happy to do this for you

The downside is that we are more expensive than online converters(our rates).

How to convert jpg to vector?

If you want to learn the basics of manually vectorizing images, you need graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW or Inkscape. Some programs have a tool that helps automate the process, but not all. However, there are ways to accurately, albeit manually, convert images to vector.

1. Open your image using the software of your choice.
2. On top of the image, create a new layer.
3. Use the pen tool to overlay your image to create paths and shapes.
4. Use the color picker to accurately fill in the shapes with the colors of your image.
5. Remove or hide the grid image you overlaid.
6. Under the File menu, select Export and choose SVG.

How to convert PDF to vector?

Converting a PDF to vector file is similar to the steps above, but it’s easier! Some pdf files retain the text and have the shapes already defined in the pdf. Possibly these were preserved for editing.

1. Right-click on your PDF file and select open in Adobe Illustrator or other software you use.
2. Using the selection tool, select the shapes, images and text you want to convert.
3. From the Type menu, select Create Outline. Converts all text to paths and shapes.
4. Under the File menu, select Export and choose SVG.

Image Vectorizing Illustrator

The Image Trace feature in Adobe Illustrator is one way to quickly convert an image to vector.

1. Open a new document in Adobe Illustrator
2. From the menu bar, click File and then Place. Find the image you want to convert to a vector, then click the Place button.

1. With the image selected with the selection tool, select “Trace Image” from the drop-down menu. This causes the image tracing panel to appear. Be sure to check the preview check box.
2. In the Mode drop-down menu, you can choose from three options: Colors, Grayscale and Threshold. Your selection activates sliders with similar functions. Select color mode when converting a colored image.

1. Enable the Advanced menu to activate more options.
2. Adjust the Paths slider to set the number of paths in your design. Fewer paths work well for designs that are smoother and simpler, and more paths work well for more complicated designs. Adjust it according to the complexity of your image.

1. Adjust the Corners slider to determine the number of corners on your design. This makes the corners of your design sharper and low angles for more rounded corners.
2. Adjust the Noise slider to add or remove details from your design. If this setting is too low, important details may be lost, and too high may add unnecessary detail. Find the ideal combination that reflects your design well.
3. Once you are satisfied, click Object in the menu bar and then click Expand. You will now see that your image has been successfully converted to paths.

You have now successfully converted your image into a vector file! It can now be resized infinitely. You can save your new vector image in a svg file type by saving it as a .svg file

Image Vectorizing Photoshop

Since Photoshop was created specifically for photographs and raster images, vector images converted with Photoshop are not infinitely scalable. You will still end up with a vector file type in which a raster image is embedded.

But you can use Photoshop to convert a .jpg or .png file to a vector file such as a .svg.

1. Open your image in photoshop

2. Go to File, Export, and then Export as.

3. Choose SVG file format

4. Click export

Remember that even though you have a vector file, the raster image is just embedded in it. Your image does not scale infinitely, so you will still see pixelation when you enlarge or reduce the image.

How to Create a Vector File for Free

If you don’t have the right software on your computer, as I mentioned earlier, there are also online solutions you can use. Usually you will have to upload your image or download their software that allows you to do the conversion yourself. The quality depends on the type of online software system used.

The disadvantage of these websites is that the result often produces blurred, curved lines. You must then still edit the vector image with software to refine and clean up the vector.

So how can you convert an image to vector without losing quality?

If you have an image you want to convert to a vector file, consider using our vector service. Upload any file format and we convert it to a high-resolution vector image ready for print and web.

The benefits are:

• Your vector is drawn manually by a graphic professional. So always a good result.
• You don’t have to tinker yourself. So it takes you much less time
• Finished within 24 hours.
• Need a little adjustment? Like changing a color or removing text from your logo? We are happy to do this for you

The downside is that we are more expensive than online converters. Check out our rates.