Creating a vector contour for a photo

[The Vector Doctor]

I apologize for the large size. I tried to reduce the file size but not so much that the screen is unreadable

This video is in response to the occasional request for how to create a contour path on a photo to remove a background or for cutting around

I welcome any comments or questions.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ksnzpbtot9yner5/cut contour vector.mov?dl=0

 

[SignStudent]

Impressively fast.

 

[bigben]

wow, I'm very impressed. I wish I could work as fast.

 

[The Vector Doctor]

A tablet allows for this type of speed. Constantly clicking and dragging with a mouse makes a job like this take longer. I believe I am 25-30% faster using a tablet vs a mouse

 

[nikdoobs]

What kind of tablet do you use?

 

[The Vector Doctor]

An older Wacom Intuos 3. Love it.

My ideal situation would be a Cintiq 22 or 24 but those are a bit pricey and I really need to try one out before committing that much money to see if it would help further. At the very least, if this tablet fails me someday or I want to upgrade I would go for the newer Pro models with touch

 

[WildWestDesigns]

An older Wacom Intuos 3. Love it.

My ideal situation would be a Cintiq 22 or 24 but those are a bit pricey and I really need to try one out before committing that much money to see if it would help further. At the very least, if this tablet fails me someday or I want to upgrade I would go for the newer Pro models with touch

Having worked with both the Intuos 3 (and Intuos 4, but I use the 3 much more as I have more pens to go with it compared to the 4) and both the Cintiq 21UX and the Cintiq Companion, the Cintiqs are far more efficient and much much more natural.

 

[kheebl]

wow that was fast. makes me want to look into buying one of those tablets.

 

[ktyler1320]

I apologize for the large size. I tried to reduce the file size but not so much that the screen is unreadable

This video is in response to the occasional request for how to create a contour path on a photo to remove a background or for cutting around

I welcome any comments or questions.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ksnzpbtot9yner5/cut contour vector.mov?dl=0

Is there still somewhere I can see this? I clicked the link but it doesn't work any longer. Thanks

 

[The Vector Doctor]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ksnzpbtot9yner5/cut contour vector.mov?dl=0

 

[ktyler1320]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ksnzpbtot9yner5/cut contour vector.mov?dl=0

Thank you!

 

[klmiller611]

Nicely done, I think I could come close to that speed with a tablet. The mouse is slow, as the old phase goes sort of like drawing with a brick.

Best
Ken

 

[scott pagan]

great tutorial.

i think understanding the pen tool is one of the best lessons to learn in illustrator.

another tip i would share is do an offset path of .25" to .5" and use that as a bleed mask to print less ink (waste) outside of cut areas for cut to bleed items. conversely, you can offset the path and use the "cut path" you created as a mask for the photo, and the new offset path as your white border cut path, leaving you with a nice even border depending on the type of finish cut for the job.