Vector images

[darktiger]

Is there a easy way (ie plugin) to turn something like a headshot or picture into a vector image. I have done 2 in the past and they were pretty time consuming. I was wondering if any one had a easier way or tool that they use.

[Damo77]

Adobe Illustrator has that capability, I believe. I haven't used it myself.
I imagine that Freehand can also do it, and maybe even a Corel app.
The point is, you might need to do it in a vector-editing program, rather than a pixel-editing one.

[RodBarker]

Type Raster to Vector into google , there are a few apps that will do it .

There is no easy way in PS , cutout filter then the pen tool .

Rod

[e3opian]

Just for clarification, are you looking for a photo-realistic vector? Cause that takes a LOT of work..

[darktiger]

Yeah, looking for a photo-realistic vector. I have done 2 in the past, but they took like 4 hours a piece, while they looked good. But took to long, just wanted to see if there was a quicker way to turn a portrait of someone into a vector. Objects are easy, not people...

[chris_m_atl]

There are simply too many gradients in a person's complection for an automated program to turn a person into a "Clean" vector. i.e. autotrace in Illustrator.

You can get close to the original image, but that depends alot on your computer's processing power, amount of memory/ram, and how clean you really want the end product/vector.

If the program was used to 'autotrace' an image, you will always have the choppy lines when the image is zoomed in.

The best way to get a clean, comprehensable vector graphic from a photo is to simply do it yourself with the mesh tool.

The BEST tutorial I've found for Photorealistic vector tracing can be found below. It is a great help for those wishing to learn the Gradient Mesh tool. Click on the link in the thread.
http://forums.biorust.com/illustration-sketching-vector-art/3203-gradient-mesh-tutorial-enikone.html

Here's a Vector Gallery that you may find inspirational. Also, these were not automatic vectors derived from the image. They took HOURS! In some cases 20-30 Hours!
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/the-worlds-most-realistic-vector-art-192886.php
http://basangpanaginip.blogspot.com/2006/07/worlds-most-photorealistic-vector-art.html

Example Outline/Vector:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5724/2159/1600/Green___Outline.jpg
Example Image:
http://www.wizard2.com/images/people/green.jpg

[chris_m_atl]

You can't get the quality without the effort. Photorealistic Vector images in particular.