What if I told you that you can create custom sleek and scalable SVG icons to sell, animate, or dazzle your website or app?
Today, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of transforming ordinary images into sleek SVG icons!
Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey into the captivating world of turning media into custom icons using Adobe Illustrator.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) icons are adaptable, crisp, and eye-catching. With Adobe Illustrator in our tooltip, we’ll blend artistry and technical prowess to shape images into functioning icons.
So, grab your favorite beverage, and let’s uncover the secrets behind making custom SVG icons that bring your imagination to life 🌈
Why SVG?
Before we delve into the process, let’s take a moment to appreciate why use SVG for modern-day iconography.
SVG icons, unlike their pixelated counterparts, are resolution-independent.
In other words, SVGs stay sharp and professional whether you’re on a smartphone or a widescreen display.
This scalability ensures your icons look stunning every time in the digital realm.
Now, imagine your logo seamlessly adjusting its size, effortlessly dancing between a website header and a subtle cameo in a mobile app.
That’s the magic of SVG – a way to ensure your visual elements shine, pixel by pixel, across digital landscapes.
Can I create an SVG from an image?
Yes, you can create an SVG or other icon formats from an image in Adobe Illustrator.
Adobe Illustrator empowers us to wield the power of SVG for creativity (it’s not free but there is a free trial and other tool alternatives like Inkscape exist). It’ll help us trace our images automatically in seconds to create paths.
There are two parts to this project:
- Generate custom images—I’ll be drawing (yes, drawing) some animals for an upcoming project 👀
- Transform images to SVG—This is when we’ll use Adobe Illustrator to turn our custom images into SVG icons
This post will focus on number two because there’s not much to number one—you just gotta draw.
Make sure you have your images ready at hand and, without further ado, let us begin.
How to turn an image into an SVG
1. Open the Image in Adobe Illustrator
Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document or open an existing one.
2. Place the Image
Use the “File” menu and choose “Place” to import your image into the Illustrator document.
3. Image Tracing (Optional)
Illustrator has a feature called “Image Trace” that can convert a raster image into vector paths.
Raster images (like JPG, PNG, or GIF) have fixed resolutions, risking pixelation. Vector images (like SVG) use mathematical equations, staying sharp at any size.
Select the placed image, then go to the “Object” menu, choose “Image Trace,” and experiment with the settings to achieve the desired level of detail and accuracy.
4. Manually Vectorize (Optional)
If Image Trace doesn’t give you the results you want, you can manually trace over the image using the Pen Tool or other vector tools in Illustrator. This allows you to create precise vector paths based on the image.
However, for my simple animal icons that consist mainly of line drawings, manual vectorization is unnecessary. For simple, clean drawings, image tracing does the job just fine!
5. Refine and Simplify Paths
Clean up and simplify the paths to ensure your vector image is smooth and efficient. Remove unnecessary details and ensure that the design is suitable for use as an icon.
6. Convert to SVG
Once you have your vector image, you can save it as an SVG file.
Go to the “File” menu, choose “Save As,” and select the SVG format. Make sure to choose the appropriate options and settings based on your preferences.
For these icons, I didn’t touch much of anything else in the options.
7. Export as Other Icon Formats
If you need other icon formats, such as PNG or ICO, you can use the “Export” option in Illustrator. Choose the desired format and adjust the settings as needed.
8. Test and Optimize
Test your exported files to ensure they look as expected and function well at different sizes. You may need to go back and make adjustments to optimize the icon for different use cases.
Remember to consider the specific requirements of the platform or marketplace where you plan to sell or distribute your icons, as they may have recommendations for file formats and specifications.
If you’re selling a bundle of custom SVG icons, it’s a good idea to offer alternative formats as well. This can enhance customer satisfaction.
We’d love to see your creations so feel free to show off in the comments 😉