How to Vectorize an Image in Illustrator

If you're wondering "How do I vectorize an image in Illustrator?" then you're in the right place. In the following tutorial, you will learn how to vectorize an image in Illustrator and how to expand that image.

Once you've learned how to vector an image in Illustrator, you can head over to Envato Elements where you can get unlimited downloads of stock videos, music, graphics, photos, fonts, and much more.

What You'll Learn in This Tutorial

How to vectorize an image in Illustrator
How to expand a vectorized image in Illustrator

How Do I Vectorize an Image in Illustrator?

Step 1

To vectorize an image in Illustrator, select it using the Selection Tool (V) and focus on the Control panel (Window > Control).

Click that tiny arrow next to the Image Trace button and try one of the tracing presets.

vectorize image in Illustrator tracing presets — I used this ladybug picture from Envato Elements.

Here's what you get using four of the available alternatives.

Step 2

If you're not happy with the available presets or if you wish to adjust the settings, open the Image Trace panel using the button from the Control panel, and feel free to play with those settings.

vectorize image Illustrator image trace panel

Step 3

Finally, you can click the Expand button from the Control panel to expand your vectorized image. This will generate all the vector paths that make up your vectorized image. That's how you vectorize images in Illustrator.

Congratulations! You're Done!

Now that you've learned how to vector an image in Illustrator, feel free to use these techniques in your future projects.

You can find some great sources of inspiration at Envato Elements, with interesting solutions to improve your design portfolio.

Want to Learn More?

We have loads of tutorials on Envato Tuts+, from beginner to intermediate level. Take a look!

Note: This tutorial was written with the aid of an artificial intelligence tool. It has been thoroughly edited and checked for accuracy by the Envato Tuts+ editorial team.