Adobe Ai

Import: Yarn Circle

To demonstrate how Image Trace works, we will all use the same photo.

Download the following file for this activity: [LINK HERE]

Opening an image

Open a new document in Adobe Illustrator.
Select File > Place and insert the “Yarn Circle” image into your document.

Image Trace

Select the Yarn Circle image.
Apply Image Trace to the image.

Note: Image Trace offers a range of preset options. The two presets we use most often are Black and White Logo and Silhouette, as they create clean vector shapes that are easy to edit.

Image Trace Setting

You can edit your traced image using sliders.

Threshold

Advanced

Paths

Corners

Noise

Ignore Colour can be helpful also.

Less Threshold

Threshold

More Threshold

Release the image

Expand
The Expand function converts your Image Trace result into editable vector shapes and paths. Once expanded, the artwork is no longer linked to the Image Trace settings and can be edited using Illustrator’s drawing and selection tools.

Ungroup
After expanding, Illustrator often places all the vector shapes into a single group. Use Ungroup to separate the shapes so that individual objects can be selected, moved, coloured, or edited independently.

Release
The Release Compound Path function separates connected shapes that have been combined into a single compound path. This is useful when you want to edit or colour individual sections of a traced image that are currently acting as one object.

Typical Workflow:

Apply Image Trace.
Click Expand to convert the trace into editable vectors.
Select Ungroup to access individual shapes.
Use Release Compound Path if you need to separate joined shapes for further editing.

Remove Extras

If you have created a black-and-white logo, all parts of the design will be saved. Many of these parts may be white and therefore difficult to see. Select and highlight the design parts, then delete any parts that you do not want to keep.

See the parts at the right for the single design. Note: the image was released and ungrouped many times.

Appearance

Fill

The fill is the inside colour or pattern of a shape.
It covers the entire enclosed area.
Example: A circle filled with blue has a blue interior.

Stroke

The stroke is the outline or border around a shape.
It controls the colour, thickness, and style of the edge.
Example: A circle with a red stroke has a red outline around it.

In simple terms:

Fill = inside colour
Stroke = outside line

Printing a design

Lasercutting a design

Print vs Laser-Cut Designs

When preparing a design for printing, set the size and colours exactly as you want them to appear in the final print. What you see on the screen should closely match the finished printed result.

Laser-cut designs, however, work differently. In a laser-cut file, red lines are used for cutting and will cut completely through the material. Blue or black lines are used for etching or engraving and will mark the surface without cutting all the way through.

Most importantly, remember that both printers and laser cutters will produce your design at the exact size you export. Before sending your file, double-check that all dimensions are correct, as the machine will not automatically resize your work.

Example 1: Neve

Example 2

Example 3

Lasercut Design

Looking at the cut design on the right, you will notice several important features. The bird has a clear and simple outline, making it easy to identify and manufacture. It also includes slots for assembly, with 3 mm gaps designed to match the 3 mm material being cut.

In addition, there are no etching lines shown in blue or black. This means the design is intended to be cut only, without any engraved details. As a result, all red lines will be used to cut the individual pieces, which can then be fitted together after cutting.

Sharing your Design!

Sharing Your Adobe Illustrator Design

Once you have finished your design, save it to Adobe Creative Cloud. This ensures your work is backed up and ready to be shared.

Next, click the Share button and select Invite to Edit. This allows staff to access and prepare your file for laser cutting or printing.

When prompted, invite:

lasercuttershared@mc.nsw.edu.au

Before sending the invitation, double-check that your design has been saved and that all required files and assets are included.

Off setpath tool

Ask about the offset path tool!

Page updated

Report abuse