Simplify Path tool problem

[n***@adobeforums.com]

Hi,

I am trying to use the Simplify Path tool to smoothen out the lines in my image that I previously tweaked a little bit in Photoshop, but for some strange reasons, moving the slides doesnt seem to have any effect on the image. Could this be because of any uncompatibility between software used? Or do I have to select/unlock/set something before I can use this function. Seems like a simple question, no?

Thanks in advance,
Nicolas

[Bert Philippus]

Nicolas:

You are trying to tweak a bitmap image with a vector tool. Seems like a simple answer, no?

Bert

[n***@adobeforums.com]

Bert,

Thanks for the suggestion, but its .jpeg I am using.

Nicolas

[K***@adobeforums.com]

Nicolas, Simplify does not work on any raster image. Its purpose is to simplify path objects by reducing the number of anchor points or converting curve segments to straight lines.

[Alexander Kogan.]

...just to fill the gaps:

jpeg is a raster format.
Raster = Bitmap.

Photoshop is a raster-editing program.
Illustrator is a vector-editing program.

;)

[n***@adobeforums.com]

So...how to get an image from photoshop into illustrator.
Any format that will do, or do I need to use some additional software to conver it into a vector document?

By the way, I really appreciate your comments.... didnt expect this to work...

[K***@adobeforums.com]

If you're going to convert a raster image to a conglomerate of path objects, there are many different ways to do that.

Tell a bit more about which version of Illustrator and Photoshop you are using and describe the nature of the raster image.

[n***@adobeforums.com]

Kurt,

I am using Photoshop 8.0 and Illustrator 9.0 (could also get to 10.0)
Are there in general any compatibility issues between different versions?

I altered a normal .jpg picture in photoshop, changing contrast, desaturated it and used the cut out filter to already separate the tones a little. Next I would like to take this further in Illustrator and use also the pathfinder divide tool to split up the tones in individual shapes....

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Nicolas,

Open the Helpfile and read about Bitmap images = raster images, you may search for it.

When you have read it you will have some answers and you will be able to ask the questions to get on.

[Alexander Kogan.]

...in order to convert a raster into vector you have to trace it.

Either by hand or automatically.

Illustrator 9 doesn't have good enough auto-trace gadgets (save the rather primitive Autotrace Tool and 3rd party plug-ins).

Hence, you'll have to either draw it yourself, change the version of Illustrator to CS2 or find a 3rd party autotrace plug-in.

;)