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Affinity DesignerImage TracingTipsGraphic DesignVectorTechniquesMacDesignProfessionalSoftware
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Image tracing is a method used to convert raster images, which are made up of pixels, into vector images, which are made up of paths. This is extremely helpful if you want to scale an image without losing quality because vector images can be resized an infinite number of times without losing detail. Affinity Designer, a popular graphic design software, provides users with tools that simplify the process of image tracing. Below, we'll walk through the steps on how to perform image tracing in Affinity Designer, explain important concepts, and provide helpful tips and tricks to make your tracing as simple and accurate as possible.
Before diving into image tracing, it is important to familiarize yourself with the interface of Affinity Designer. Once you open the software, you will find the main toolbar at the top, the context toolbar just below it, and tool panels on the left and right sides. Document settings and other important options can be accessed from the 'File' and 'Edit' menus.
Affinity Designer supports both raster and vector design environments, which can be selected from the Persona toolbar located at the top left of the workspace. Designer Persona focuses on vector tools, while Pixel Persona offers raster tools.
Image tracing is important in a variety of design scenarios. Whether you're rebranding a logo that only exists in low-resolution pixel format or you need to extend a raster-based icon set into vector format for a different project, being able to perform effective image tracing can significantly increase versatility and quality.
Selecting a suitable image is the first step in image tracing. Let's look at some guidelines for choosing the ideal image for tracing:
Once you've selected a suitable image, follow these steps to trace it:
Start by importing your selected image into Affinity Designer. Go to the 'File' menu and select 'Place', or simply drag the image file into your work document. Make sure the image is the correct size and positioned in your workspace.
Lock the layer containing your image to prevent accidental adjustments while tracing. Right-click on the image layer in the Layers panel and select 'Lock'. This will ensure that the base image remains unchanged.
The Pen Tool is your primary tool for tracing images in Affinity Designer. It allows you to manually plot lines and curves, giving you maximum control over your vector paths.
P
on your keyboard.Enter
or click the starting point to close the path.Repeat the above steps for all the major outlines of your image.
After creating your paths, use the Node Tool (A
) to adjust individual nodes and handles for greater precision. Select a node to edit its position or curve. Adjusting the handles can modify the tension and shape of the curve for optimal alignment with your source image.
After you've determined the paths, add color to your vector shapes:
V
).For a consistent look, maintain a similar color palette in your tracing.
For more organic tracery, use the Pencil tool in Affinity Designer:
N
Freehand tracing is ideal for images with less defined edges.
The Vector Brush tool is perfect for artistic tracery with customizable stroke styles:
This approach is excellent for patterns and stylized illustrations, where texture adds visual interest.
When tracing and refining are complete, export your vector image:
Mastering image tracing in Affinity Designer opens up a world of design possibilities, making high-quality vector illustrations possible from raster images. By understanding the key tools and techniques, you can efficiently convert almost any image into a scalable vector format. Whether to enhance a logo or recreate an icon, honing these skills will greatly enhance your design portfolio.
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