How to Trace an Image using Affinity Designer

Here is a quick tutorial on how to manually trace an image using Affinity Designer. This is a beginner tutorial, especially when you're planning on publishing your own coloring book.

[@lgude]

Unlike a lot of more advanced tutorials, I was able to see just how to do it - thanks heaps I've been stuck for days!

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Excellent tip on using nodes to create straight lines that can be pulled into curves.

[@Shanli143]

Q: can the music be turned off….is there a version wo the techno? I’m interested in this but after two rounds of it I could not concentrate. Even just a turned down version. I’m not sure what the point of it is for tutorial bc the teaching is enough.

[@ArtsyLadyCrafter]

I agree. Immediately, the music track was too much and I didn't even get into 1/4 into your vid before I had to leave. 😑

[@MySpam-v1t]

Is there no automatic trace / silhouette like in illustrator in affinty available?

[@alanm2725]

VERY CLEAR AND INFORMATIVE! Thank you so much!

[@Janstroh1]

I would like to know if you can make layered stencils from a stamped image using this program and if so how? Thank you your tutorial it was so informative. :)

[@shannonmoniquehandbags]

Hi great video, if I want to print it out in a PDF format making sure it comes out the right size what do I need to do

[@ktnguyen85able]

Can this be done on the Affinity ipad version?

[@mollymuzette5860]

Hi. Great info - it was very helpful. I found the music distracting and a bit annoying. It was harder to focus on what you were saying and doing.

[@Moneybags8989]

So why is it when i do this no line shows up like yours? i chose red 1pt but all i see is nodes??

[@EeeByeGum]

Terrific - thanks.

[@alanm2725]

YOU are very informative but PLEASE cut the music. We need to hear you. Thanks for the great info.

[@whatworkedforme]

thanks for the demo... i founds the background music annoying and an unnecessary distraction. i want to listen just to your instructions

[@dawnjohnson8739]

Agreed

[@SurfKwonDo1]

Yes

[@nathanwolf5547]

Thank you you made this so simple

[@raybert999]

Thank you, very helpful

[@vivathkhotnhotha2841]

What is the name of the font you use in the thumbnail?

[@bothendzburning]

Thank You!!

[@innervisionjj]

I use Xara designer. Its possible to make repeat passes for a more accurate copy.

[@runforrestrun1965]

Where is autotrace? Illustrator has had it for years now….

[@mtbewan5632]

I agree on this one mate. Not biggest fan of Adobe but he’s right.

[@dayv207]

Autotrace is not a function most folks need, its just as easy to recreate lines/curves/shapes using other tools. but if you want auto trace you can always pay Adobe a small fortune every month. FYI this tutorial can be done a lot faster with a good knowledge of the the pen tool and the noad tool and some use of hot keys.

[@fanofcameron]

Inkscape (freeware) does autotrace. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGPMhKeGjbiMpZY

[@innervisionjj]

Also Xara designer has had it for 10 years, which is what I use it for. Sadly, some kids hava taken it over so there have been no improvements to the software for 5 years.

[@digitaldevigner4080]

Thing with auto trace is it's not always accurate or refined. It can save a lot of time but it also tends to result in some artifacts or less than perfect lines. The proper way to do this so you have control over the strokes, lines, thickness and closed shapes easy to fill is to do it by hand. A one click auto trace is much faster and easier of course but should art really be left to a computer to handle? Sometimes it does have its legitimate uses but it's not as common of a tool in the professional world as one may think. In fact its main use is for people to rip off other designs and pretend they are their own. It was originally intended when illustrators used to still sketch by hand with paper and pen/pencil. They could then scan the drawing and use auto trace as a way to convert to a digital illustration. That process doesn't happen as much now as it used to and most of the use cases of auto trace are to rip off other designs or to trace real life photos of objects or people.

[@dawnjohnson8739]

Thank you!

[@ladyhollman9534]

Good job!

[@mariannec2719]

Hate the music, surely not required?

[@MrGenaGer]

Thanks for the good tutorial. ... but, please, we don't need that music here at all

[@RishiRajKoul]

THANKS

[@evelyneajorque3011]

Merciii

[@ho-nig]

Not really good. The lines are not very clean, the node transitions are not smooth. Unfortunately, the final shape is also so not directly to colour, because it is only lines.

[@nikkilesley2525]

Can you tone the music down please? It’s distracting.

[@madedeva1841]

"mwoheHEHEHEHEHE"

[@Roxydiane81]

Electronic “music” made this unwatchable

[@bestyoutubernonegraternumber1]

Wow, I was about to buy this software until I just realized it has no image trace function. Saved some money, buying lightburn I guess, sigh, I was hoping for something that would not be tied so tightly to my lasers.