Learn the techniques and intricacies of transforming low-resolution logos into vector images for better scalability. The article provides a step-by-step guide to manipulating shapes, paths, filling colors, and scaling through the Pen and Direct Selection tools.
Key Insights
- The article guides through transforming a low-resolution raster image into a vector image, which offers better scalability and less pixelation when zoomed or enlarged.
- The process involves creating shapes and paths using the Pen tool, filling them with the appropriate colors, and aligning them accurately to replicate the original low-resolution image. The Direct Selection tool is used to adjust the shapes and paths.
- Additionally, the article provides instructions on how to use the transform and eyedropper tools to perfect the size, shape, and color of the vector image. The final vector image is saved as a Photoshop file for future modifications and usage.
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In this video, we'll be discussing raster and vector images, as well as creating a new logo from a low-resolution logo. Let's start by opening our file.
For this video, we'll be using the low-resolution logo JPEG. In the past, we've discussed raster images. Raster images, or bitmap images, are an array of maps of bits within a rectangular grid—pixels or dots.
That means that a raster image is limited to the pixels. However, for vectors, when we zoom in or blow them up, they're actually not limited to the pixels, but instead to the mathematical equation that creates them. This can be helpful when you want an image to be expanded in size and not look pixelated.
Oftentimes in the field, I'll have clients come to me needing their low-resolution logos created as vectors so that they can use them regardless of size for their marketing needs. Let's go through the process of what it would take to create a vector from a low-resolution image like this. First, let's save our work by going to File, Save As. We'll change this to “High Resolution Logo, ” select Photoshop File, and click Save.
In this process, we'll essentially be using a combination of our Shape Tools as well as tracing this background image to create our vector. Therefore, first, let's create a new layer so that we can begin creating this black shape on top. Let's retitle this layer “Black Shape” and hit ENTER.
Next, let's use the Pen Tool to trace this shape. The first thing we'll want to do is reset our Pen Tool in the Options Bar by right-clicking on the arrow to the right of the Pen Tool and clicking Reset Tool. Next, we're going to select Shape because we'll be creating a shape with the Pen Tool.
We'll then go to Fill, and we want to use the black color, since black is the color used for this shape, and we don't need a stroke for the shape. Essentially, the way the Pen Tool works is that we can identify dots or points for our path or shape simply by clicking. For example, if we click multiple points, we'll create our shape.
Let's hit CTRL+Z to undo this, and now let's begin creating the black shape. First, we'll click on the point on the top left, and then, because this is a horizontal line, we'll hold Shift, making sure that it's exactly horizontal as we click to our next point. Next, let's click on the bottom right corner, the bottom left corner, and even though it's filled in on this left side, we'll want to complete the shape by clicking on the point we started with.
We'll also know that we're closing our shape when we see the Pen cursor with the circle on the bottom right of the Pen icon. Let's click here, and we've now closed our shape off. Let's zoom in a little to get a closer look.
Looking at this, we're pretty close to where our points need to be. However, they can always be improved. If we click on the Direct Selection Tool, we can adjust these as necessary.
The Direct Selection Tool allows us to select shapes or objects and directly move them around. If we click and drag, we'll see that our shape moves. Let's hit CTRL+Z to move our shape back.
However, for our purposes, we want to simply move each of these points to a specific spot. Therefore, let's zoom in a little further. Next, let's select only the point and move it to its desired location.
We can do this by holding CTRL and clicking only on the point we want to move. We now have this point selected, and if we move it around, we'll see that only this point moves. Let's move it more specifically to the corner.
Next, let's move this point by clicking on it and dragging it to its desired corner. And then, holding CTRL, we'll drag to the left and begin working with this point. And finally, we'll move this final point right there.
We'll then zoom out, and we have this shape exactly set where we want it to be. Let's click outside “Black Shape.” Next, let's begin working with our orange circle.
First, we'll hide our black shape so that we can work directly with our background image. And we'll create a new layer that we title “Orange Circle” and hit ENTER. To create our orange circle, we'll use the Ellipse Tool, and we'll simply click and drag an ellipse, holding Shift to make sure we have a circle, until we have the circle about the size we need.
We'll then release, and because we have the fill set to black, we can't really see the background behind it. Therefore, let's click on Fill in our Options Bar and go to No Color. Here, we can now see that we just have the outline of the path.
Next, let's transform our circle so that we can match it exactly where it's needed. We'll hit CTRL+T on the keyboard to transform, and now with the arrow keys, we can move it to its desired location. In addition, it looks a bit small, so we can drag from the corner and resize it, holding Shift to keep its dimensions.
I'll move it just a little more to the left and down, and here we have a pretty good shape around the circle. We can now fill it by going to Fill in our Properties, or going back to the Ellipse Tool and using our Options Bar. In order to make sure that we have this exact orange, let's first use the Eyedropper Tool and click the orange to have the color show up as our Foreground Color.
We'll double-click our Foreground Color, double-click the hex code, and hit CTRL+C on the keyboard to copy the hex code. We'll then go back to our Ellipse Tool and change the fill in our Options Bar. We can go to the Color Picker and hit CTRL+V on the keyboard, now pasting the exact orange, and click OK.
We now have an orange circle that, if we toggle the visibility on, we'll see lines up exactly with the circle below. Next, let's toggle the visibility for our black shape and toggle the visibility for our background. To move our black shape on top of the orange circle, we'll simply drag this layer on top until we see the blue line, and here we have an updated logo.
I'll toggle the visibility of our background image and drag it to the top. However, we're unable to drag because this image is currently locked. Let's unlock it, drag it to the top, and now it's easy to toggle the visibility and see how we've done. The image looks right, so let's leave it hidden, and we'll save our work using CTRL+S on the keyboard.
In the next video, we'll be working to modify the colors of our shapes. See you there.