Importing graphics - Importing graphics is useful for various reasons. Often, you will need to trace an image, or you may need to develop a layout that combines vector graphics and raster files. To import an image, go to the top menu and select: File > Place, then choose the image from the folder in your desktop or other folder in your computer.

Locking your object for proper tracing - Once you import your graphic into your Illustrator file, you should lock it, so that you will not move it by mistake when you are tracing different areas. To lock your image, first select it with the Selection Tool, then go to the top menu and Select: Object > Lock. The object will be locked and you will not be able to edit it. You will be able to trace it with no worries of moving it by mistake.

Importing an image as template - You may find that you need the image to be somewhat washed out to trace it better. To accomplish this, go to the top menu and select, again, File > Place, on the window select "template" and then click import. the image should be locked automatically in its own layer. If you need to unlock the image, then unlock the layer, and move as desired. If you want to turn the template into a regular graphic, then double click on the layer, and unselect "template." The file will then be treated like any other imported file.

Note: the lock at the top menu is not the same as the lock on the layer menu. Make sure to know which one you're using to avoid confusion.

Tracing with Layers - Once you have your image locked, develop look at your image carefully and decide which areas will go together. You may decide this wih three different approaches:

1) Color and contrast
2) Similar shapes
3) A combination of the previous two.

No matter your approach, make sure to organize your tracings in sets of layers and sublayers. Name your layers as you create them so that you know to which areas they correspond. Start with simple shapes, then trace shapes with more detail, always keeping in mind when to develop a new layer for your next set of traces. You should place the detailed traces on top layers, and larger traces in lower layers; this will make it easier for you to make crucial decisions about detailed areas. Also, you do not need to match the color of the original, just make sure that once you choose a color for an area or an object that you stick to it. You can hide the original image, as well as other previously traced layers to check on your progress. You should also consider developing a background for your images. The background does not need to be from either of your images, you could make it up, or trace it from a third image. This is optional.