Vectorize a Raster Image in Photoshop (Posterized Vector Shapes)
In this tutorial, you’ll turn a raster photo into a clean, posterized vector using Photoshop’s filters, adjustment layers, and Color Range-to-Shape workflow. You’ll isolate your subject, create a stylized limited-color look, convert each color to a vector shape, and export the result for use in any vector app.
Step-by-step instructions
Create a high‑resolution document and place your image
Go to File → New and set Width to 2000–3000 px, Resolution to 300 ppi, Color Mode to RGB, then click Create.
Go to File → Place Embedded, choose your image, resize as needed, and press Enter/Return.
Select and mask the subject
Choose any selection tool and click Select Subject (or make a manual selection).
With the image layer active, click the Add Layer Mask icon to isolate the selection.
Convert to Smart Object and clean up layers
Right‑click the masked layer → Convert to Smart Object.
Delete the Background layer (select it and press Delete).
Apply stylizing filters (non‑destructive)
Go to Filter → Stylize → Oil Paint and set: 5, 3, 0.1, 0; uncheck Lighting; click OK.
Go to Filter → Filter Gallery → Artistic → Poster Edges and set: 10, 0, 6; click OK.
Go to Filter → Blur → Surface Blur and set: Radius 20, Threshold 10; click OK.
Alt/Option‑drag the Oil Paint effect above Surface Blur in the Layers panel to duplicate it there.
Go to Filter → Sharpen → Unsharp Mask and set: Amount 150%, Radius 8 px, Threshold 8; click OK.
Add adjustment layers to limit colors
Layer → New Adjustment Layer → Levels (leave default for now).
Layer → New Adjustment Layer → Hue/Saturation and set Saturation to −100.
Layer → New Adjustment Layer → Posterize and set Levels (e.g., 2 for black/white, 4 for four tones).
Click the Levels adjustment and move the black/mid/white sliders to balance tone densities.
Optional: fine‑tune tones with overlay painting
Create a new layer above the effect stack and set its blending mode to Overlay.
Right‑click it → Create Clipping Mask to confine strokes to the subject.
Select the Brush Tool (B), set Flow ≈ 5%, paint with black to darken and white to lighten.
Merge a copy for vectorization and save
File → Save As and save a PSD for future edits.
Shift‑click to select all layers in the stack, right‑click → Merge Layers (you can duplicate first if you want to keep originals).
Convert one color to a vector shape
Go to Select → Color Range, set Select to Selected Colors, click with the Eyedropper on a target color, set Fuzziness to 0, uncheck Invert, click OK.
Use any selection tool, right‑click inside the selection → Make Work Path, set Tolerance to 2–3, click OK.
Layer → New Fill Layer → Solid Color → OK to create a vector Shape layer from the path; choose a fill color.
Repeat for remaining colors
Repeat the Color Range → Make Work Path → Solid Color steps for each tone (e.g., gray levels and white) until the image is fully vectorized.
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to refine anchor points if needed.
Export vector for Illustrator or other apps
Go to File → Save As, choose Format: EPS.
In EPS Options, check Include Vector Data, then click OK.
