If you are trying to make cool color effects and variations ,understanding how to invert colors in illustrator is one easy way you start off. It will create a cool futuristic color combination when used correctly. In this tutorial, I will show you can invert colors whether you are working with raster images or vectorized elements.
Invert colors in Illustrator
To invert colors, you need to either use an editable vector file or an embedded raster image. To invert colors, select your vector file and go to Edit>Edit Colours>invert colors.
If you are using a raster file, first of all embed it in Illustrator. With the selection tool selected or shortcut V, click on the image and choose embed on the top bar. Go to Edit, then Edit Colors and choose invert colors.
Vector vs raster image
A raster image is made of tiny squares called pixels. They combine to display aspects of the image like color and quality. The basic unit of a raster image is a pixel or one square.
More squares or pixels per area will result to better image quality while fewer squares make low quality images. Scalng a raster image, will result to loss of quality It is also not very editable because it is not made of points.
Common raster formats include JPEG, PNG, and TIFF formats. Examples of raster images include photographs and pictures.
A vector is the opposite of an raster image. Vectors can be defined to have points, lines, and shapes. The best thing about a raster image is that you can increase the image to any size an not loose quality. It is also easy to change colors, move points or edit.
Common vector file formats include PDF, AI source file, and SVG formats. Logos and illustrations are the best examples of vector files. Adobe Illustrator allows conversion of a raster to vector and vice versa.
Why should you embed images?
To solve this problem of missing images, you need to embed the images so that they are copied in your Illustrator file. When you embed the images, you will only have to carry the Illustrator file, and you can edit without having to look for images to replace.
How to Embed Images in Illustrator
An image that is not embedded will be displayed with a light X across the image. To embed the image, click on it to select, then on the top bar, click Embed. That is it. Your image is embedded. Once the image is embedded, the light cross over the image will disappear.
You can embed an images using the links pop up window too. Select from the top menu Window>Links to bring up the panel. The Links Panel shows all your embedded and embedded list of images.
Embedded images will not have the X discussed earlier and will also be marked on the links menu by a unique sign on the edge. To embed an image, click the 3 lines to bring up options and hit embed. Your image is embedded.
What are embedded images?
You can import images to Illustrator by going to File>Place and choosing the image in the saved location. When you do this, Illustrator does not copy the image in the software but keeps making reference to the image on the computer files.
When you move the image to another location or the Illustrator file to another computer, you will have to relink and tell the Illustrator where the picture file is saved. If not, your Illustrator file will open and display the images as blank.
Convert a Raster to Vector in Illustrator
Before you can understand how to vectorise an image, it is important to understand how you can tell whether your file is a raster or vector. Vector files, show different points, lines and shapes that combine to form the image. It also shows the different colors on the Fill or strokes panel. Raster images, on the other hand, appear as one object with no points.
Related:
- How to Copy in Adobe Illustrator
- CorelDRAW vs Adobe Illustrator
- What is Illustrator and How is it used?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a raster and a vector image?
A Raster images is made by many tiny squares called pixels. It comes in JPEG, Tiff and PNG formats. When expanded, they lose image quality. Vector images are made of paths, lines, or shapes, you can resize them without losing image quality. The most common formats include PDF, SVG and Ai.
How do you invert negative in Illustrator?
To invert a vector file in Illustrator, select the object then go to Edit then Edit colors then invert colors. For a raster image, you need to first embed the image. Select the image, then go to Edit then Edit colors then invert colors.
