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Illustrator How to "outline" a shape with transparency, over a background?


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I have the following image, in two layers, and I am trying to basically stroke the text with white (or transparent) in order to create a visible separation from the background "cog" image layer. I know how to do this in Photoshop (Modify>expand, then erase the expanded area) but have been informed by my die-makers that I need to start sending them vector images done in Illustrator. Does anyone have any easy ways to do this in CS5? Thanks!View attachment Rain City.eps
 
It looks like CS5, which is the version of AI I have, doesn't have "image trace" as an option--looks like it doesn't come in until CS6.
 
Part of this is already vector. The text part of it is bitmap and low res at that. The trace is probably not going to come out too well for it. (or at least not up to your or the die makers needs) If you were up on AI you could redraw that text in just a few minutes. This skill is very handy for someone doing what you are. Edit: I looked a little closer and the text part of this is segmented and has some bitmap overlays over it. A little more to it than meets the eye initially.
 
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ALB68 said:
Part of this is already vector. The text part of it is bitmap and low res at that. The trace is probably not going to come out too well for it. (or at least not up to your or the die makers needs) If you were up on AI you could redraw that text in just a few minutes. This skill is very handy for someone doing what you are. Edit: I looked a little closer and the text part of this is segmented and has some bitmap overlays over it. A little more to it than meets the eye initially.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know that the text is crappy low-res, non-vector. I tried to locate the font so I could remake that part but no luck--I'm trying to get the person who created the original to send me a vector version. If that doesn't happen, I could open it in PS at really high resolution and then paste it into AI and try to live trace it to vectorize and clean it up, but I still wouldn't know how to create that outline I'm trying for.
 
Hang on. It seems Hawkeye is on in the PM (his PM, don't know your location), and he has used it or knows about it, so he should be able to guide you. Or send him a Private Message.
 
If you need it to be really accurate, and I assume you do, I would recommend duplicating the text. Even if you can't get that font, it seems rather easy to make it from scratch as all the arcs look identical and the other parts are simply rectangles.
For the "N" for instance, use the pen tool to create the top arc, then duplicate it move it down in place and join the two and fill. Make a rectangle for the left side, duplicate it for the right side. Move all the elements in place and use pathfinder to combine them. All the elements can be used over again for each letter. just moved, flipped etc..
 

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Thanks Hawkeye, but while the technique you just explained is something I should learn, I was apparently unclear about what my original question was. This image shows what I'm trying to do. I can do this in PS but don't know how in AI.

Rain City Original.jpg
 
Just like Photoshop, Illustrator has a sharp learning curve and even though there are some similarities there are many differences. If this is a one time thing it may pay for you to have someone do it for you, if it's needed on a regular basis then obviously you'll need to learn Illustrator.
 
There are tons of tutorials on the internet. Lynda.com is a good if you're willing to pay. Getting a book from the local library is an often overlooked source, especially for learning the basics.
 
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