Adobe Illustrator CS5 One-on-One

Similar Names, Different Features

In general, any one of the features explained in this lesson is less

about being “live” than it is “automatic.” Consider the following:

• Live Trace allows you to convert raster images into vector-based

images in an automatic way. You simply place a pixel-based fi le,

like a photograph or piece of scanned art, then give Illustra-

tor a set of objective instructions on how to go about creating

paths from it. During the process, you can dynamically effect

the outcome with a sophisticated set of controls before turn-

ing the resulting outlines into editable paths. Figure 11-2 shows

(from top to bottom) my original sketch, the Sharpie-enhanced

drawing I scanned, and the resultant trace that I then edited.

• Live Paint essentially lets you take a coloring book approach

to your work by allowing you to fi ll or stroke visually discern-

ible areas caused by overlapping shapes (as opposed to having

to create or choose discrete paths). As you then move the two

paths in relation to each other, the overlapping area in between

is recalculated and updated automatically. In the top illustra-

tion of Figure 11-3, I fi lled the overlapping area between two

reddish eye shapes with yellow (to give the pirate glowing eyes,

naturally). But as I changed the position of the red areas in the

bottom illustration, the yellow area automatically updated to fi ll

the new area of overlap (and awesomely gives my pirate fl ame

eyes as it does so). I didn’t have to repaint the yellow area at all.

Figure 11-2 .

Figure 11-3 .

Overlapping area fi lled with yellow

via Live Paint

After moving red shapes, yellow

area automatically updates

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Similar Names, Different Features