Vectorisation Query : Newbie

[dalton565]

Hey guys i have a querie

i want to take a bitmap image of any size, say for example 800x800 that uses rectangular pixels 7x10dpi

Then either using illustrator or photoshop, resize the image to any size (bigger or smaller), and maintain the 7x10dpi. The problem i am having with illustrator is that it only allows me to specify percentages or physical sizes (eg 200% or 100mm by 100mm). and save the resulting image as a bitmap/tiff/gif file.

Is there an easy way to do this in photoshop or using a combination of the 2 programs. ideally i would like to use just one.

illustrator is very good at resizing, i have tried resizing images by 200% and saving the resulting image the quality is perfect.

All input will be appreciated
R

[dalton565]

Also is it possible to take a bitmap image

1. Vectorise the image
2. Resize to specific dimensions
3. Save the result back as a bitmap (i understand i may loose some detail during this process but i think its more effective to touch up the resulting image, as the quality seems much better)

[dalton565]

Is this possible to do ?
anyone know of a guide anywhere.
Or do i have to use illustrator to achieve this ?

cheers

[dmj1973]

You have already asked this question, please don't double post.

http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563657

Have a quick search through this forum you will find lots of useful info on your question.

The general answer though is that whenever you resize a raster image you will lose quality.

the only thing to do seems to be trace the image using a vector package and the save that image.

Hope this helps
Dave

[dalton565]

thanks for the reply, and sorry about double posting, but i felt this was a seperate issue.

Anyway ill tell you what i need to achieve and see if u have any more ideas on it than me.
Basically i need

1. An application that will take a bitmap image
2. Resize it any size (be it 10x larger or 100x smaller)
3. Maintain image quality
4. Allow rotating of areas of ther image


initially i was looking at vectorising the image, making the alterations then saving the resulting image back as a bitmap.

the problems i was having where
1. Vectorising in illustrator doesnt allow me to specifiy specific dimensions, eg i cant resize to 1024x768 but i can resize to 200%

Can anyone think of an alternative or a potential workaround.

i know its a tricky one.
r

[Varelse]

You can vectorize a raster image but the LiveTrace tool does not always produce satisfactory results. In many cases, manual tracing is a much better option.

You can copy a vectorized shape back to Photoshop (paste as Shape or Smart Object) and work on it in Photoshop if you prefer this program. Such a vector-based object can be scaled up with no quality loss.

And yes, vectorizing IS possible in Photoshop. You can either make a selection based on your object (for example using a Quick Mask) and convert it into paths, or trace your image manually using a Pen tool.

PS. I have merged two threads as they both relate to the very similar subject.

[dalton565]

Thanks for the reply Varelse

Thats wat i was thinking too, it would be ok if i was doing it manually but but im looking to develop an application that will do all these steps for the user. Ie they can take their bitmap image, load it into some plugin tool, type in the output size they require and the program will do the vectorising and resizing and save the resulting bitmap. I am happy to accept some detail loss through the vectorisation process as this can be touched up later on by the designer.


So i was looking at developing some sort of plugin tool for illustrator, im not sure how to achieve this through illustrator and photoshop though, in terms of a plugin.

do you have any ideas or suggestions ???

[Varelse]

Have you checked the Illustrator's built-in LiveTrace tool?

And here's another popular tool -
Vector Magic. They have recently launched a desktop application too.

[dalton565]

Yeah thats what i have been using so far, and it works very well. however my problem comes whenever i am saving the image as a bitmap. it doesnt allow me to specify specific dimensions only percentages.

Hope you understand what i mean.
So id like to develop a plugin that automatically uses the live trace tool then saves the result as a bitmap at the exact dimensions specified by the user, eg 1024x768.

Do you think it can be done using only illustrator ?

[Varelse]

To be honest, saving as a raster image at the dimensions specified seem to be not that important feature in comparison to vectorizing quality. I'd rather use a program/plugin which would produce perfect vector artwork and would not let me save it in the dimensions I need than a program which produces mid-level quality vectors but lets me save them in multiple formats, offers plenty of options, etc.

Besides, you can switch to pixels in Illustrator and resize your artwork to any px-defined dimensions.

[dalton565]

thanks for that i only just realised you can change the dimensions to pixels from mm and inches. Helps me alot.

One other thing you may or may not be farmiliar with, the bitmaps we are bringing into illustrator all have a DPI setting of 7x10 (ie the pixels are interpreted as rectangular in shape) however when we save a bitmap out of illustraot it reverts to 72dpi.

Is there anyway to overcome this thats you know of?

Thanks alot for your help
Richard

[Varelse]

I am not experienced with bitmaps with pixel ratio other than 1:1 so I won't be able to help you much with this.
I'd expect it can be done in Photoshop, but in Illustrator - probably not.

[dalton565]

No problem exactly what i thought. ill stick with photochop for that job

thanks