Convert PNG To SVG In Illustrator: Easy Guide

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Converting PNG to SVG in Illustrator opens up a world of possibilities for designers and artists alike. Whether you're aiming for scalable graphics, editable artwork, or optimized web assets, understanding how to make this conversion effectively is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through various methods, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to ensure you master the PNG to SVG conversion process in Illustrator.

Why Convert PNG to SVG?

Before diving into the how, let's quickly touch on the why. PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster image format, meaning it's made up of pixels. When you scale a PNG, it can become blurry or pixelated. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), on the other hand, is a vector format. Vector images are defined by mathematical equations, allowing them to be scaled infinitely without losing quality. This makes SVGs ideal for logos, icons, and illustrations that need to look sharp at any size.

Additionally, SVGs are often smaller in file size compared to PNGs, especially for graphics with large areas of solid color. They're also editable in vector graphics editors like Illustrator, giving you the flexibility to modify and refine your artwork.

Method 1: Image Trace

The most common and straightforward method to convert a PNG to SVG in Illustrator is by using the Image Trace feature. This tool automatically converts raster images into vector paths, which you can then save as an SVG file. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Your PNG in Illustrator: Launch Adobe Illustrator and open the PNG image you want to convert. Go to File > Open and select your PNG file.
  2. Select the Image: Click on the PNG image to select it. You should see a bounding box around the image, indicating that it's selected.
  3. Open the Image Trace Panel: Go to Window > Image Trace to open the Image Trace panel. This panel provides various options to control the tracing process.
  4. Choose a Preset: In the Image Trace panel, you'll find several presets like High Fidelity Photo, Low Fidelity Photo, 3 Color, 6 Color, Black and White Logo, and more. Select a preset that best suits your image. For complex images with many colors, the High Fidelity Photo or Low Fidelity Photo presets are a good starting point. For simpler graphics, the Black and White Logo or 3 Color presets might be more appropriate.
  5. Adjust the Settings: After selecting a preset, fine-tune the settings to achieve the desired result. Key settings include:
    • Mode: Choose between Color, Grayscale, or Black and White.
    • Paths: Controls the accuracy of the tracing. Lower values result in simpler paths, while higher values create more detailed paths.
    • Corners: Determines how sharp corners are handled. Lower values round the corners, while higher values create sharper corners.
    • Noise: Specifies the amount of noise to ignore during tracing. Higher values can simplify the traced image by removing small details.
    • Threshold: This setting is available when using the Black and White mode. It determines the cutoff point for converting pixels to black or white.
    • Colors: Adjust the number of colors used in the traced image. This option is available when using the Color mode.
    • Options: Expand the Advanced section to reveal additional options like Ignore White and Snap to Curves. Ignore White removes white areas from the traced image, which can be useful for creating transparent SVGs. Snap to Curves helps align the traced paths to the original image's curves.
  6. Preview the Trace: Make sure the Preview box is checked to see a live preview of the traced image. Adjust the settings until you're satisfied with the result.
  7. Expand the Trace: Once you're happy with the traced image, click the Expand button in the Control panel (at the top of the screen) or go to Object > Expand. This converts the traced image into editable vector paths.
  8. Ungroup the Elements: After expanding, the traced image is usually grouped. To edit individual elements, right-click on the image and select Ungroup. You can also use the shortcut Shift + Ctrl + G (Windows) or Shift + Cmd + G (Mac).
  9. Edit and Refine: Now that you have editable vector paths, you can modify the colors, shapes, and details of your artwork. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select and adjust individual paths and anchor points.
  10. Save as SVG: Finally, save your artwork as an SVG file by going to File > Save As and selecting SVG (.svg)* from the Save as type dropdown menu. Choose a location and filename for your SVG file, and click Save. In the SVG Options dialog, you can adjust settings like the SVG profile, font options, and image location. For web use, the default settings are usually fine. Click OK to save the file.

Method 2: Manual Tracing

While Image Trace is a quick and convenient method, it may not always produce the best results, especially for complex images. In such cases, manual tracing offers more control and precision. Here’s how to manually trace a PNG to SVG in Illustrator:

  1. Open Your PNG in Illustrator: As with the Image Trace method, start by opening your PNG image in Illustrator.
  2. Create a New Layer: In the Layers panel (Window > Layers), create a new layer above the layer containing your PNG image. This will keep your tracing separate from the original image.
  3. Lock the PNG Layer: Lock the layer containing the PNG image to prevent accidental modifications. Click the empty square next to the eye icon in the Layers panel to lock the layer.
  4. Select the Pen Tool: Choose the Pen Tool (P) from the toolbar. This tool allows you to create precise vector paths by clicking and dragging to create anchor points and curves.
  5. Start Tracing: Begin tracing the outlines of the shapes in your PNG image. Click to create anchor points at corners and curves, and drag to create smooth curves. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to adjust the position of anchor points and the shape of curves as needed.
  6. Fill and Stroke: As you trace, you can apply fill and stroke colors to your paths. Use the Color panel (Window > Color) and the Stroke panel (Window > Stroke) to adjust the colors and stroke weight.
  7. Build Up Details: Continue tracing all the shapes and details in your image, gradually building up the complete vector artwork. Take your time and pay attention to accuracy.
  8. Refine Your Artwork: Once you've traced all the elements, take some time to refine your artwork. Adjust the position of anchor points, smooth out curves, and fine-tune the colors and stroke weights.
  9. Delete the PNG Layer: After you're satisfied with your tracing, you can delete the layer containing the PNG image. This will leave you with only the vector artwork.
  10. Save as SVG: Save your artwork as an SVG file by going to File > Save As and selecting SVG (.svg)* from the Save as type dropdown menu. Choose a location and filename for your SVG file, and click Save. Adjust the SVG options as needed, and click OK to save the file.

Method 3: Using Live Trace (Older Versions of Illustrator)

In older versions of Adobe Illustrator (prior to CS6), the Live Trace feature was used instead of Image Trace. While Image Trace is more advanced and offers better results, you can still use Live Trace if you're working with an older version of Illustrator. The process is similar to Image Trace:

  1. Open Your PNG in Illustrator: Open the PNG image you want to convert.
  2. Select the Image: Click on the PNG image to select it.
  3. Open the Live Trace Panel: Go to Window > Live Trace to open the Live Trace panel.
  4. Choose a Preset: Select a preset from the Live Trace panel, such as Black and White, Color, or Grayscale. The available presets may vary depending on your version of Illustrator.
  5. Adjust the Settings: Adjust the settings in the Live Trace panel to fine-tune the tracing result. Key settings include Mode, Threshold, Max Colors, and Blur.
  6. Trace: Click the Trace button to convert the raster image into vector paths.
  7. Expand: Click the Expand button to convert the traced image into editable vector paths.
  8. Ungroup: Ungroup the elements to edit individual paths.
  9. Edit and Refine: Modify the colors, shapes, and details of your artwork.
  10. Save as SVG: Save your artwork as an SVG file.

Best Practices for Converting PNG to SVG

To achieve the best results when converting PNG to SVG in Illustrator, consider the following best practices:

  • Start with High-Quality PNG Images: The quality of the original PNG image greatly affects the quality of the traced SVG. Start with a high-resolution PNG image for better results.
  • Simplify Complex Images: Complex images with many details and colors can be challenging to trace. Simplify the image before tracing by removing unnecessary details and reducing the number of colors.
  • Experiment with Different Presets and Settings: Don't be afraid to experiment with different presets and settings in the Image Trace or Live Trace panel. Each image is unique, and finding the right settings may require some trial and error.
  • Clean Up the Traced Paths: After tracing, take some time to clean up the traced paths. Remove unnecessary anchor points, smooth out curves, and correct any imperfections.
  • Use Layers to Organize Your Artwork: Use layers to organize your artwork and keep your tracing separate from the original image. This makes it easier to edit and refine your artwork.
  • Optimize SVG Files for Web Use: If you're using the SVG files on the web, optimize them for web use by reducing the file size and removing unnecessary metadata. Tools like SVGO can help you optimize SVG files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While converting PNG to SVG in Illustrator is generally straightforward, you may encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

  • Tracing Results are Too Complex: If the tracing results are too complex, try simplifying the image before tracing. You can also reduce the number of paths and anchor points in the Image Trace or Live Trace panel.
  • Tracing Results are Too Simplistic: If the tracing results are too simplistic, try increasing the number of paths and anchor points in the Image Trace or Live Trace panel. You can also adjust the settings to capture more details.
  • Colors are Not Accurate: If the colors in the traced image are not accurate, make sure you're using the correct color mode (Color, Grayscale, or Black and White) in the Image Trace or Live Trace panel. You can also adjust the number of colors used in the traced image.
  • SVG File Size is Too Large: If the SVG file size is too large, try simplifying the image, reducing the number of paths and anchor points, and optimizing the SVG file for web use.
  • SVG File is Not Displaying Correctly in a Browser: If the SVG file is not displaying correctly in a browser, make sure the SVG file is valid and well-formed. You can use an SVG validator to check the SVG file for errors.

Conclusion

Converting PNG to SVG in Illustrator is a valuable skill for designers and artists. Whether you choose the Image Trace method, manual tracing, or Live Trace (for older versions), understanding the process and best practices will help you create high-quality vector graphics that can be scaled and edited without losing quality. By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to master the PNG to SVG conversion process in Illustrator and unleash your creativity.