How to Trace an Image in Illustrator

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Trace an Image in Illustrator
Turn your sketches into clean line art!
Ash Ash (298)
Total time: 10 minutes 
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What You'll Need
1

With Adobe Illustrator, you can trace any image using layers and various drawing tools. Any version of Illustrator will work, but sometimes menus move between different editions.

Interests

Here's everything you'll need to complete this guide:

Adobe Illustrator×1
Table of Contents
1

Open the image in Illustrator

Trace Image Illustrator

Open the image you want to trace in Adobe Illustrator. You can drag and drop the image file on to the workspace or open it using the File > Open menu. You may want to adjust the artboard size before you continue—read more about how to use the artboard in Illustrator here.

2

Choose a tool to trace with

Illustrator Line Art Tools

Choose a tool to trace the image with. You can use the Pen Tool to create lines, the Shape Tool for an abstract approach, or even the Brush Tool. Each tool has its own benefit. You may enjoy using a combination of tools to achieve a specific effect.

3

Trace the image using a cursor

Trace With Cursor Illustrator

Images can be traced using a cursor. Any accessory will work—a mouse, a trackball, or even a trackpad on a laptop.

  1. Create a new layer just for the traced linework.
  2. Select a tool to trace with.
  3. Set a color for the lines.
  4. Trace the image.
4

Trace the image using a tablet

Tablet Trace Illustrator

If you own a graphics tablet, you can use it to trace the image in Illustrator.

  1. Drag the Illustrator window over to the tablet screen.
  2. Create a new layer for your tracing lines.
  3. Select a tool to trace with.
  4. Choose a color for the lines.
  5. Trace the image with the tablet pen.
5

Remove the original image

Delete Layer Illustrator

When the tracing is complete, remove the original image by hiding or deleting the layer.

6

Clean up the lines (optional)

Illustrator Line Art

With the original image removed, minor mistakes are more visible. This is a good opportunity to clean up your linework and add final details.

Save your tracing with File > Save. You can use other applications, like Photoshop, to apply final touches. Take your finished work a step further by including a transparent background.