Convert images for masking?

[Maquar]

Hi everyone,

I am just learning a bit about masking and was wondering if there is a way to convert an entire image to use as a mask. All of the tutorials I have found say to use the pencil tool, line tool, etc to trace and fill in where I want the mask to be. After that, I have to use the "Convert lines to fills" option. But I'd like to take an entire image which has alot of jagged edges and mask it, so if I can convert the image somehow, that would save a great deal of time.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

[Abelius]

Did you try tracing that image?

[Maquar]

Well, the thing is, I'm trying to avoid that situation since there are alot of edges. I know I could trace the entire outer edges with the line tool and fill the center but that would take quite awhile so I was just wondering if theres a way to make the process faster.

Thanks,

Mark

[sharma]

what Abelius is reffering to I assume when he says tracing.. is
have you tried using the trace bitmap option?
select the image
Modify > Bitmap > Trace Bitmap

[Maquar]

That would probably be what I need but unfortunately my image is not a bitmap. It is a .png file converted to a symbol! Is there a way to convert it?

Thanks for the help,

Mark

[sharma]

should still work? Bitmap refers to a pixel based image. Not a .bmp
Open up the symbol and break it apart within

[Maquar]

Okay heres what I am doing:

I have the image (symbol). It is set as a graphic.
First I copy it.
I then insert a new layer and paste it.
I go to Modify > Break Apart
Then I click on Modify > Bitmap > Trace Bitmap
Then click on Modify > shape > convert lines to fills

What I am left with is a blurred copy of my original image. So I can use this blurred image as a mask?

Thanks,

Mark

[sharma]

hmm it doesnt nessisarly have to be blurred.. but i'd assume that would work


can you post an .fla with just the one png within and i'll get a good version for your mask?

[Maquar]

Hey thanks...

Here's an image of globe and a "swoosh" around the globe. This is something simple so I can see what you have done. I did the steps above on the globe which came out blurry. If you get a different result would you mind posting what you did to get the results?

Thank you very much!

Mark

[sharma]

hey man here is a copy that is now purely vectors

all I did was click the swoosh
then Modify> Bitmap > Trace Bitmap
in the trace bitmap window I chose:

Color Threshold : 10
Minimum Area : 1
Curve Fit : Pixels
Corner Threshold : Many corners

Now this gives you as detailed a vector image as you are going to get.. in essence it's simply replaced the pixels with vectors..

Now I'm not sure if this actually helps you with a mask.. if you only wanted the shape.. then yeah simply break apart the image and that's all you need to use it as a mask...

but as a vectorized image you can now edit colours and content by manipulating individual vectors..

[Maquar]

Thanks alot Sharma. I still have to click on Modify > Break Apart before I can do the trace. Is this normal? And just to make sure I'm on the right track, after I do the trace I then have to color all of the vectors with the color I want in the mask correct? In other words..If I have it the same as the actual image will it do anything? Or is it the "moving part" in the mask that I should be concerned with the color of? I, of course, will try this out on my own but as I am still learning it will probably take me an hour or so, and I figured you'd know the answer.

Thanks a million,

Mark