Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
SELLERS
Tracing a Template
Manually Tracing a Template Layer
Overview:
Place a scan on a template layer in Illustrator; manually trace over the template
using the Pencil, Pen, and Arc tools; modify paths with the Direct Selection tool; use geo-
metric objects for ease and speed.
Rachel Sellers used Illustrator's basic drawing tools to build this skyline for Thirty-
Third Latitude Properties. Using a scanned sketch as a template, Sellers relied on
Illustrator's Pencil, Pen, and basic geometric tools to draw the skyline and artwork
in the logo.
1 Placing a scanned image as a template.
Scan your source image at a high enough res-
olution and contrast to see the detail you need for tracing, and save it as a PSD,
TIFF, or JPG. In a new Illustrator document, choose File> Place, select your scan,
enable the Template option at the lower-left of the dialog, and click Place. Your scan
is now on a Template layer beneath the original layer. Template names are italic, in-
dicating that they're non-printing layers. Template layers are also automatically
dimmed to 50% opacity, but you can adjust the opacity by double-clicking the Tem-
plate thumbnail in the Layers panel.