[newbie] trace a drawing

PH wrote:
> Jfk wrote:
>>
>> Hi to all
>> I'm started to work with Illustrator (CS) and 'cause I've never used
>> vectors I've some problems (I know it's my fault)...
>> I'd like to get some photos and with my pen-tablet tracing over with
>> the free pen tool. It works fine but I can't understand how to fill
>> an area traced and composed by vectors with colors.
>> I understand that I can draw a closed vector and with a color
>> selected it fills automatically.. but not necessarly I draw a vector
>> that creates a shape or closed... and more once I don't know until
>> the end which color could fill each area... I would like to decide
>> after...
>> So I try to use the autotrace tool but I don't like it...
>> My goal is to trace a photo like a comics and fill the parts with
>> colors (Like I do with the bucket tool in Photoshop)...
>> Is it impossible? How to do?
>> Thanks in advance and my apologies for bad explanation!
>> 'bye
>> Gianfranco
>> Ps I'm not sure about english names of tools...I hope to write the
>> right translations...
>>
>>
>
> No bucket tool in Illustrator, Gianfranco. You need closed
> shapes to fill with color. The autotrace tool is not very
> good, I agree. Adobe Streamline is somewhat better but also
> a bit of a pain.
>
> About the colors: you can always change colors whenever you
> want, so I do not understand what your problem is with that.

Thanks for the answer,
I try to explain my problem with an example.
I get a photo with a girl
I block the photo on Level #1
I create a Level #2 then select pen or pencil or brush tool (I like this one
'cause it change its width with the pen pressure)
I trace the hair (but how can trace all the hair, now I have the 1st
problem 'cause hair irregulars and drawing to get a closed shape is really
hard but I go on...)
Now I have to trace the face...and here is the 2nd problem, I have the
drawing of the hair all around the face so why I have to redraw the parts up
on the forehead?
It's so hard to explain in english ))
Another example more schematic: I want to draw a triangle on a square (like
a little simplified face (square) with a hat (triangle)).
I draw the triangle with 2 segments and a base (this could be the hat). Then
I draw the square (the face) but... why I have to draw 4 segments (up, left,
right and bottom) if "up" is exactly the triangle bottom? When I draw
instinctively isn't natural to me draw this segment again so my face is NOT
a closed shape but only three segments and I can't fill it...
I don't know if my surreal explanation is clear... ))
Thank you for attention
GF
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 >> Stay informed about: [newbie] trace a drawing 

"Jfk" <wellington92000NOSPAM.TakeThisOut@nospammareyahoo.it.invalid> wrote in message
news:3FmZd.1061255$35.39378794@news4.tin.it...
> Alexgirl wrote:
>> Try to think of the drawing as layers -- what is on the top? the hair
>> or the face? If you were building a doll, you would put the head/face
>> on first, then the hair. So draw the outline of the face, put your
>> colour in and then put the hair on top of the face....
>
> Ok, I know layers because I use them intensively in Photoshop but here the
> problem (in my opinion) is different.
> I know I'd draw before the face on layer#1, then hair on layer #2 etc...
> But don't you think this isn't natural? If I have to draw I have to do
> quickly and with creative intent of the moment. I can't think to draw a
> little part then pass on another layer to draw a second part etc..etc..
> It sounds not natural...
> I'd like to draw continuonsly and then color my work...maybe Illustrator
> is not the right program for me.... I need something that let me more
> freedom to create in a fast way and something that couldn't worry about it
> meanwhile I'm drawing...
>
> For example when I use Photoshop to draw I can get satisfaction because I
> can draw not so bad and then colorize my works...unfortunately when I draw
> with PS there's no vector but a raster stroke with brush tool... I would
> like to have a tool or an application that unify vectors and simple way to
> draw ) Illustartion seems not the right direction (imho)
>
> Thank you
> GF
>
If you want to have that artistic drawing feeling -- no, I don't think you
can do that with Illy. Most people I know that are artists and then need to
convert their drawing to vector, do exactly what you are talking about
doing -- bring in the bitmap and then trace it. Tracing is not like drawing
at all. It's construction (or re-construction), not drawing, but having
artistic ability/talent/skills is a huge plus. I wish I had it.
 >> Stay informed about: [newbie] trace a drawing 

iehsmith wrote:
>
> On 3/14/05 11:39 AM, PH uttered:
>
> > You need closed
> > shapes to fill with color.
>
> Peter, I get fill colors in AI 9.0.2 without closing paths. Will I run into
> some print or other problems using them this way?
>
> inez

I know you can fill open paths Inez, but as you know the
color border will just be between the endpoints of the open
path. I do not see any print problems because of
that.........it is just that in "realistic" cartoony kind of
work (what the OP was talking about) it does not give you
what you want.

But yeah you can fill up half a circle. And print it I am sure:)
--
Peter
 >> Stay informed about: [newbie] trace a drawing 

Jfk wrote:
>
> It's so hard to explain in english ))
> Another example more schematic: I want to draw a triangle on a square (like
> a little simplified face (square) with a hat (triangle)).
> I draw the triangle with 2 segments and a base (this could be the hat). Then
> I draw the square (the face) but... why I have to draw 4 segments (up, left,
> right and bottom) if "up" is exactly the triangle bottom? When I draw
> instinctively isn't natural to me draw this segment again so my face is NOT
> a closed shape but only three segments and I can't fill it...
> I don't know if my surreal explanation is clear... ))
> Thank you for attention
> GF

Now this one.
Do not appologize for your English GF, I am Dutch and have
to think also before I type, we are in the same circle of
death, English is the communicating language these days:)
You are doing very well I think.

Wellllllllllll.............let me take that back LOL I am
not sure what you mean unless you are really trying to do
the obvious wrong things.

If you draw a square as a facee, you should not be drawing
separate sides, but just a solid square. The square box in
the toolbox. That will give you a closed square made out of
one path. With the shift key it will be a real square, 4
sides that have the same size.

When you make the triangle you use the pen tool (or even the
star tool with 3 points). Remember the shift key pressed
means the lines will come out horizontally/vertically/or in
45 degrees.

If you fill the square face with a drunken reddish and the
hat with a happy yellow, they will be filled separately.
Place the hat on top of the face and make sure the hat is up
front (Arrange: Bring to Front, or via Layers).

That is all mouse stuff. But why would one want to draw a
square and/or triangle with a pen.

--
Peter
 >> Stay informed about: [newbie] trace a drawing 

PH wrote:
> If you draw a square as a facee, you should not be drawing
> separate sides, but just a solid square. ....

No, no
I've used the square and triangle to simplify the example. I draw a real
face with real hair. In the example I've used regular shapes to only to
simplify...
'bye
J
 >> Stay informed about: [newbie] trace a drawing 

"Jfk" <wellington92000NOSPAM.RemoveThis@nospammareyahoo.it.invalid> wrote in
news:3FmZd.1061255$35.39378794@news4.tin.it:

> Ok, I know layers because I use them intensively in Photoshop but here the
> problem (in my opinion) is different.
> I know I'd draw before the face on layer#1, then hair on layer #2 etc...
> But don't you think this isn't natural? If I have to draw I have to do
> quickly and with creative intent of the moment. I can't think to draw a
> little part then pass on another layer to draw a second part etc..etc..
> It sounds not natural...

Illustrator puts each vector object on a separate "sublayer" so you really
don't have to worry about creating and drawing on separate layers.
Go to the layer palette and click on the little triangle on the left of layer
one and you'll see a separate layer for each object. Grouped objects can be
expanded. Sublayers can be moved around, you can lock objects, change
opacity, etc.
Using a vector program to create artwork requires a different mindset than
using a bitmap program. It isn't the same and you can't think the same.
To get an idea of how art is built in Illustrator, open one of the sample
pieces from the Illustrator CD and then expand layers in the layer palette.
Keep expanding sublayers until you get a feel for how the drawing was built.
You also may want to try Expression3, which may still be available for free
download from Microsoft. Some say it's easier to make the transition to than
Illustrator.
 >> Stay informed about: [newbie] trace a drawing