Presence is everything when it comes to social media, especially when it comes to Instagram. You always want to find the best photos and videos to share. It’s frustrating when things don’t turn out the way you want, especially when your photo and videos become blurry.

You may find that sometimes your photos and videos become blurry when you add music to your Instagram stories. This happens for several reasons: it could be caused by your internet, or your settings to the photo itself.

There are many more reasons why your Instagram story has become blurry after adding music. But each of these is an easy fix, and you can do this in a matter of minutes.

» MORE: Can’t Upload Instagram Stories from Gallery? [7 Fixes]

Why is Your Instagram Story Blurry After Adding Music?

You’ve found the perfect photo for your story, and suddenly it is all blurry because of the music. This can be frustrating, especially when you want everyone to see what you’re seeing but with a little song. So why is this happening? Here are some possibilities:

1. It could be your internet
2. Instagram data settings
3. You are using the old version of Instagram
4. Your photos could be too big
5. There are limits to Instagram

1. It Could Be Your Internet

Your internet could be the issue. This is especially the case if you have a basic plan or too many people using it at once. Internet speeds can vary by provider and what level plan you are signed up for. Your internet can be bogged down as well if there are too many devices on it.

2. Instagram Data Settings

If you have never looked at the Instagram settings, your phone may automatically be on the default settings. Sometimes this means uploading a lower quality story to upload more quickly.

3. You Are Using The Old Instagram Program

If it has been a while, you may be using an old version of Instagram. Although the application usually updates automatically, sometimes this doesn’t happen. So if you notice most of your pictures, videos, and stories, then it may be the reason for this lack of quality.

4. Your Photos Are Too Big

If you aren’t taking the pictures through the Instagram application to upload your story, your photos may be too large. Instagram is trying to adjust the size to upload it to the story, which can cause blurriness.

Try using an Instagram Story Template to get the perfect size and layout.

5. Instagram Has Limits

Instagram has limits. Adding music to your story adds data to the image or video. This causes blurriness because there is more data to upload to Instagram. You don’t want that, but sometimes Instagram cannot stop the image from becoming blurred. 

» MORE: How to Fix Instagram Photos Having a Black Background

How To Fix The Blurriness

If you are running into this issue often, it can be frustrating. Don’t worry, though, because there are many solutions you can try to return your story to its perfection. Here are some of those methods:

1. Restart your internet
2. Try using your cellular data
3. Adjust the settings
4. Update the app
5. Change the camera settings
6. Use the Instagram camera
7. Resize your photos

1. Restart Your Internet

If your internet seems to be the issue, you can restart your internet. This could be the easiest way to fix the blurriness. Sometimes the internet needs a simple reset that runs at optimal speeds again. 

If you are still having problems, you can also try taking devices off the internet. If someone in the home is streaming videos or playing video games, the internet will slow. Have them pause while you post your story and see if the blurriness is resolved.

2. Try Using Your Cellular Data

If your internet plan isn’t the best or you have too many devices bogging it down, try using your cellular data. Having a full signal can be better at uploading your story than slow, lagging internet. You won’t have to deal with a blurry story this way.

3. Adjust The Settings

If you haven’t already looked, go into your Instagram settings and change it so that the lowest quality photos and videos aren’t being uploaded. Here are the steps to do this:

1. Log into your Instagram account
2. Click on your profile
3. Tap on the account option
4. Find cellular data settings
5. Turn data saver off
6. You can also change the “high resolution” set on Wi-Fi only and change it to both Wi-Fi and cellular data

Once you have updated these settings, you shouldn’t run into a blurry story. You should be good to go.

4. Update The App

A simple method is to check the Instagram application in the Play Store or Apple Store to see if an update is available. Sometimes old versions won’t allow you to upload a high-resolution photo so a quick update will fix that.

5. Change The Camera Settings In Your Phone

If it seems that only your uploaded photos seem to be blurry, then it may be the camera on your phone. You can easily adjust the settings in your phone to take high-resolution photos instead of taking the lowest quality photos. Your phone automatically does this to save room in storage.

6. Use The Instagram Camera

Using the Instagram camera instead of your phone’s application can help reduce the risk of a blurry photo. This is best when you feel like you have reached Instagram’s limits. It will less likely make the blurry photo when adding music. 

7. Resize Your Photos

Sometimes just resizing your photos before uploading them to Instagram can help change the blurriness. When your photo data is lower, the photo won’t take as much data to upload as well. This easy trick could be the difference between a blurry photo and not.

Because photo size and format can make the biggest difference, we suggest using an Instagram Story Template. These are pre-formatted for the best performance on Instagram.

» MORE: How to Use Placeit to Create an Engaging Instagram Story

Outro

It can be upsetting when you try to upload the perfect combination of a photo with a song for the occasion, and it comes out blurry. It could ruin the whole aesthetics, but you can find yourself posting the best of both worlds with these easy tricks.

Whether you want photos for your website or social media use, it’s essential to go for high-quality images, and Adobe Stock Images has been a preferred option for many. First, the images are crystal clear and detailed enough to draw attention. Secondly, you can get almost any type of image you need. However, there is a slight concern regarding the pricing, with many people considering Adobe Stock Images expensive.

Adobe Stock Images are expensive because the company pays a huge commission (30%) to photographers. They also don’t allow low-quality images on their catalog, ensuring you get your money’s worth. However, if you compare the price with hiring a photographer, you’ll find Adobe’s cost relatively lower.

That’s not all, as you still need to know how Adobe Stock Images compare to other royalty-free images, what Adobe Stock Images are used for, and whether these images are copyright-free, which you will learn if you read on.

What Makes Adobe Stock Images Expensive?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, which is true when you apply the concept to your business. Having a crystal-clear image on your blog or social media post can trigger engagement and draw readers’ attention. A good image helps create a mental picture regarding your posts, which is why you need a strong one.

Adobe Stock Images is the best place to source high-quality pictures for many bloggers and online entrepreneurs. The platform has a massive database of images, and there is a significant likelihood you’ll get what you need.

Some people have raised concerns regarding the pricing, with many seeing the cost as too high for images they only post on a blog. Adobe has good reasons for this, though, and they include:

• High commission – Adobe is one of the companies that pay a high commission to photographers, which stands at 30%. Given that an average image sells at $9.99, this only leaves the company with roughly $5.99 profit.
• A huge catalog – The database is filled with almost any type of image, and there’s always something for anyone.
• The company name – Adobe is a massive brand with an equally huge reputation, and it would make sense to charge higher for their products.
• High-quality images – You don’t have to worry about low-quality images as Adobe doesn’t allow any on their database.

It might sound illogical to pay $9.99 for an image you’ll only use once, but if you look at the scenario closely, you’ll see that the images are not that expensive. For instance, it might cost you ten times that amount to hire a professional photographer to take photos for you. Also, it protects you from copyright claims, which might affect your business and its reputation.

If you’re handy with a camera, you can decide to take photos to use on your blog, as this would be cheaper, but it is also extremely time-consuming.

Are Adobe Stock Images Copyright Free?

Adobe Stock Images fall under the Royalty Free License, allowing you to use them as you see fit without worrying about copyright claims. However, this only applies if you got them through the program and have not tried to download them illegally.

With over 60 million images in their database, you’re sure to find more than enough images to use on your business or social media pages.

Copyright claims can be devastating to your business, and to some extent, Google might even demote your website from its listing, making you lose clients and watch as your effort goes down the drain.

How Do Adobe Stock Images Compare to Other Royalty-Free Images?

Adobe Stock Images is a clear leader, with millions of images in its database when it comes to royalty-free images. However, other platforms offer similar products and are not very far behind. They include:

• Envato Elements – For $16.50/month you get unlimited downloads from over 55 million stock images. This is our personal preferred alternative to Adobe Stock Images.
• iStock – You pay $99 for 10 images, which is a bit pricey compared to Adobe Stock Images.
• Shutterstock – You pay $25 for 10 images, but they don’t have as many images as Adobe Stock Images.

Although these alternative platforms offer a direct competition for Adobe Stock Images, they either lack enough photos or are more costly, leaving Adobe as the favorite for many.

If you’re handy and prefer something customized to your needs, we highly recommend Placeit, which offers stock images along with a full graphic design suite of over 90,000 templates to use those images in.

In Which Ways Will I Be Able to Use Photos from Adobe Stock Images?

There is no limitation to how and where you can use the stock images as you acquire the rights to use them as you see fit. You retain ownership of the photo once you buy it.

Here’s how you can use Adobe Stock Images:

• On a blog post – Spice up your blog with high-quality photos to engage your readers. It’s estimated that blogs with clear photos get at least 35% more interaction from readers and are 20% likely to result in sales.
• On a sales page – Although you’re supposed to take photos of the products you’re selling, you can always find high-quality images on Adobe Stock Images to boost up your sales page.
• On social media pages – Social media users are likely to interact with posts with photos on them compared to plain text.
• Promotional emails – Sending customized emails with images in them can help to improve conversion and generate sales.
• YouTube thumbnails – Besides a catchy title, a YouTube thumbnail is known to help drive engagement and CTR.

There are countless ways you can use photos from Adobe Stock Images, and your imagination only limits you.

Outro

Adobe Stock Images is a go-to platform for anyone who needs crystal-clear images for personal or commercial use. The platform has over six million photos to choose from, and they only allow high-quality images. However, some consider the price high, although hiring a professional photographer could be more expensive. You can use Adobe Stock Images as you wish since they fall under the royalty-free license category.

Your YouTube thumbnails are one of the few ways you have to entice viewers to watch your videos. These screenshots are often the first thing people see when browsing their recommended videos. However, they work best when they remain static and that is not always the case.

YouTube thumbnails can change for several reasons. Sometimes, creators change thumbnails to test them. Other times, they change because of browser caching, or because the video is still in post-upload processing.

In either case, YouTube provides a default temporary thumbnail until the video creator uploads their permanent custom one. By reading further, you will learn how each reason can affect the thumbnail displayed.

Reasons Why YouTube Video Thumbnails Keep Changing

Great video thumbnails are the key to a successful YouTube channel. The platform displays these videos still wherever and whenever it displays the videos in any of its numerous lists and directories. Thumbnails are so important that often become what you remember the most about the videos you watch.

Because of this importance, YouTube video creators put a lot of effort into finding the perfect thumbnails for their videos. Sometimes, they will use a prominent screenshot from the video. These thumbnails take less effort to do, but you are at the mercy of what YouTube video processing leaves as frames in the file.

If no screenshots work as thumbnails, the creator may opt for a custom thumbnail, which are image files uploaded separately to the video. As they are separate files, creators must design and produce separately as well. They are also subject to additional upload restrictions. They are a lot more work, but the results are usually worth the effort.

1. YouTube Creators Can Change Video Thumbnails at Any Time

While the creator debates over the thumbnail to use, YouTube will automatically create a default temporary one based on screenshots. These default thumbnails ensure that all videos on the platform have a thumbnail. Because these thumbnails are chosen at random, they are not always the most best or useful images.

As a result, creators have an incentive to quickly choose a permanent thumbnail. However, they may not always pick the best one in their haste for one reason or another. Fortunately, creators can swap in and out thumbnails on the fly for as long as the video is on YouTube.

2. A-B YouTube Thumbnail Testing

For instance, a creator may want to test the performance of several potential thumbnails before selecting a permanent one. During the process, they watch how their viewer statistics change after swapping in and out various thumbnails. The testing may require several iterations before the best one is found.

Pro Tip: Use YouTube Thumbnail Templates for higher CTR thumbnails.

You know a YouTube video is undergoing A-B testing if you see the title change along with the thumbnail.

3. The Original Thumbnail Had a Copyright Claim

While YouTube creators strive to produce original content, they are not always successful at it. They might on occasion accidentally include someone else’s content in their videos. When this happens, the original copyright holder can file a claim, causing the video creator to make changes which may include the thumbnail.

4. Your Browser Cache Reverted to an Older Thumbnail

Not all thumbnail changes are intentional. Sometimes, they are the result of technology. Many browsers and devices save images to memory to speed up page load times. When the browser needs to display the images again, it can just use the cached copies instead of wasting time downloading them again.

While image caching makes browsing the internet easier, it may leave you with older images that may no longer exist. As a result, you will only see the new thumbnails after the old, cached thumbnails expire.

The same problem can occur between websites. Web servers usually save local copies of external files to speed up their operations. This can lead to different sites using different images for their embedded videos.

5. YouTube Changed Thumbnail Rules

To improve its platform or to add new services, YouTube may alter how it serves video thumbnails. Sometimes, YouTube will notify creators of the update. Other times, they will not. Either way, the update may invalidate older thumbnails, requiring the creators to make a new one.

6. The Channel was Hacked

Luckily, hacking is not very prevalent on the YouTube platform, but it does happen. Hackers can take over a channel through various means, and they can alter everything on the channel once they have it, including video thumbnails. Once the damage is done, it can take months to fix and bring everything back to normal.

Conclusion

A thumbnail is the face of a YouTube video. It is the first thing you see when to click on the video, and how videos are displayed on the site. Because of this, creators put a lot of effort into finding the right thumbnails for their videos. On occasion, that means changing an old thumbnail for a better-performing one.

Have you ever come across a vector graphic in Illustrator that looks pixelated? The lines are all blurry, and the points don’t look crisp. Today, this is a common issue, but it doesn’t have to be.

If your vector art looks pixelated in Illustrator, there are a number of causes such as clipping paths, blending layers, shape edges, and more. Using higher resolution may be the best way to remove this issue.

You might not know the answer to this question because there are different reasons why some vectors may look pixelated. This article will teach you how to identify and fix these issues in Illustrator so your vector graphics will always look sharp.

Common Causes for Pixelated Vectors in Illustrator

Pixelated means that a graphic is blurry or not crisp, and individual pixels are visible. A pixelated vector graphic is a vector graphic that looks blurry, and the points don’t look as crisp as they should. Essentially, it just doesn’t look as clean and professional as it should.

There are many reasons why some vector graphics may look pixelated in Adobe Illustrator. Some of the most common causes are:

1. Failed Vectorization

A vector is a set of instructions in Illustrator that tells the program how to draw your shape, whether a circle, line, or text box. Vectorization includes the points and lines that make up your shape.

For example, if you have a rectangle, the vector would include the coordinates for the four corners of the rectangle. When vectorizing, you’re converting what would be traditionally drawn as pixels into vectors.

If there are gaps between these points and lines, vectorization has failed, and you will see pixelated lines. This can happen for many reasons:

• You’re trying to convert an image file (.jpg) or any other type of picture file (.png) into vectors. These files will not work in Illustrator because they are raster images.
• Suppose there is overlapping content in the images that you’re trying to convert into vectors (such as text). In that case, this can also cause failed vectorization because there may not be enough information for Illustrator to create clean paths in between those individual objects.
• A third reason could be that your document isn’t large enough. If you’re working with a small document size and trying to convert an image into vectors, this may cause failed vectorization because of a lack of space on your screen.

2. Resolution Too Low

One of the most common reasons vector graphics may look pixelated is that the resolution is set too low. You can set the resolution in Illustrator through File>Document Properties or by pressing Ctrl, Shift, and P on your keyboard.

There are six different resolutions you can choose from:

• Low (150)
• Medium (300)
• High (600)
• Very High (1200)
• Extra High (2400)
• Custom

The default setting will be Medium, which should be enough for most projects. However, if your project has a lot of detail in it, you may want to increase the resolution.

If you notice that it looks pixelated when viewing your vector graphics on-screen, chances are the resolution needs to be adjusted. The higher the resolution, the smoother your vectors will look on-screen.

It’s also important to note that choosing a higher resolution doesn’t affect file size in any way – it only makes your vectors sharper and cleaner on screen. Once you’ve made this adjustment, export your file and see if that fixes your issue!

3. The Vector Has Been Scaled Too Large

The most common problem with vector graphics is that they are scaled too large. This blurs the lines and points of the vectors.

What does this mean for you? It means that if you scale your vector up, it will start to look pixelated. If you find that one of your vectors is pixelated, try scaling it to a smaller size. It should be crisp as soon as you do this.

If you have a vector that has been scaled too large, it’s not always necessary to resize it to fix the issue. If your design looks good at its current size, don’t change anything. But if the blurred lines are starting to bother you, then resize your vector and make sure all details are clear again.

How to Fix Pixelated Vectors in Illustrator

If you have a vector graphic in Illustrator that looks pixelated, there are a few things you can do to fix it. If you use a raster layer as the source of your vector, it will be pixelated. First, go to Layer > New Raster Layer and select the raster layer to fix this issue.

Then right-click on the layer and set the Resolution to 500%. You might also need to resize the image for different screens. If your vector is pixelated because it’s large or has many points, try simplifying the design by reducing its points or making it smaller.

You can also use the Scale Tool (C) to reduce its size and make it clearer. If your vector has too many colors and gradients, convert it into an outline shape. This removes all of the colors from your vector so that you can only see black lines with no pixels in them.

Resize the Vector

If you’re working on a vector that has blurry points, the first thing to try is resizing the vector. If you resize it and the points still look pixelated, other factors are at play, such as anti-aliasing.

Anti-aliasing is a technique for smoothing out jagged lines in a digital image or graphic. It effectively takes pixels from one area and blends them with pixels from the adjacent area, making it seem like the line is smoother. The problem is that this can make your vectors look pixelated.

To fix this, you need to change how Illustrator displays your vectors. To reduce aliasing, go to Edit > Preferences > Previews & Fills in Illustrator and change Point Density to Medium or Low. This will cause Illustrator to use less ink when it displays vector graphics, which means these graphics will be sharper.

Use Anti-Aliasing

One possible cause of pixelated vectors is the use of anti-aliasing. Anti-aliasing is a feature in Illustrator that smooths out jagged lines. But when it’s misused, this can lead to pixelated graphics.

To fix this problem, you need to decrease the anti-aliasing applied to your graphic. There are two ways to do this:

1. In Illustrator, go to Object > Path > Offset Path and enter a value of -1px.
2. Go to Effect > Stylize > Round Corners and input a value of 1px or 2px.

Keeping Your Vectors Crisp

If you want to prevent your graphics from looking pixelated, the best way is to make sure they have high resolutions. The higher the resolution, the better quality of the graphic it produces.

You also need to be aware of how anti-aliasing and aliasing work in Illustrator so that you can use them properly for an optimal result on whatever project or design you are working on.

Finally, keep in mind when designing a vector illustration that if there aren’t enough points per inch (PPI), then this will create jagged edges—which may cause pixels and other undesirable effects like artifacts and blurriness–in your final product.

Procreate is a great app for artists and creative people to digitally draw with. But it can malfunction sometimes, such as when the screen freezes and won’t unfreeze. Fortunately there are also multiple different methods you can use to fix this issue.

A few ways you can fix the Procreate app is make sure it’s updated and your device is functioning properly. Your device might need updates or need to have its storage cleared out. If none of those work, then you might have to restart your device.

The following article is a detailed guide on how to fix the Procreate app when it keeps freezing up.

1. Make Sure The Procreate App is Updated

If the Procreate app isn’t updated, then there might be bugs in the current version that cause it to freeze. Updating the app whenever one is available will help make sure that it’s free of bugs and won’t freeze.

App developers send out frequent updates to make sure the app remains functional. The updates usually fix any bugs the developers found in the last version of the app or download improvements developers have been working on to the app. Falling behind on updates can cause your Procreate app to have issues, including freezing.

Updating your app frequently is a super important part of making sure it runs smoothly. If your app is freezing, then check to see if there’s any app updates in the App Store. You will see a red notification on the app indicating how many updates there currently are. Going into the app and clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner will tell you what apps the updates are for.

Select the update for Procreate, or you can choose the select all option to update multiple apps at once. You can also enable automatic updates by going to your devices settings, selecting the app store option, and turning the app store automatic updates option on.

2. Make Sure Your Device Is Updated

Ensuring that your device is also updated will prevent any issues from occurring on the Procreate app. If your device has an issue that needs to be fixed, it might also affect the apps downloaded on it, causing Procreate to freeze.

To check if your device needs updates, first open your device and go to the settings app. It looks like a silver gear and might have a red notification number on it, indicating that your device needs to be updated.

Next, click on the “General” settings option and select the “Software Updates” tab on the next screen. If a message appears saying that you need to update your device, then select the option that says “Install Now” and follow the instructions. If no message appears, then your device is all updated.

You can also enable automatic software updates from here, to help keep your device running normally and prevent further issues.

3. Clear Out Your Storage

If there are too many things stored on your device, then it could be what’s causing procreate to freeze. The more stuff a device has on it, the more storage it has to use to keep them all running, which can cause the apps to run slower or freeze altogether.

To check how much storage you have on your device, open the settings app and click the “General” tab on the first screen. Then click on the “Storage and iCloud Usage” option, scroll down until you see a tab labeled “Storage”, and then select “Manage Storage”.

If the bar at the top of the screen is mostly empty, then you still have a good amount of storage. But if it’s full or close to full, then you might want to start deleting some things on your device. The two most common things to delete when clearing device storage space are videos and photos or apps.

Going into your photos app and deleting any photos and videos you don’t want anymore or have saved to a backup drive can help clear out your device’s storage space.

You can also delete multiple photos or videos at a time by choosing the “Select” option in the top right corner. Once it’s selected, click on any photos or videos you want to delete, and then click on the trash can in the bottom right hand corner to delete them all at once.

The next thing you can delete to free up lots of storage is apps. If there are any apps that you don’t use almost every day, then it’s recommended to delete at least one to free up storage. Just make sure that there isn’t any important information on the apps you want to delete, or that the important info is on a backup drive or a different device.

To delete apps, press and hold on the first app you want to delete until it starts shaking and a gray X appears in the top right hand corner. Press the X in the corner to delete the app, and select the X of any other apps you want to delete. Once you’re done, press the home button on the device to make the apps stop shaking and get rid of the X’s.

4. Restart Your Device

If no other solutions have worked, then the last solution is to restart your device. However, it’s recommended to leave this solution for last since restarting your device can delete the work you have on the Procreate app. To avoid this, it’s recommended to do a soft restart.

A soft restart will likely solve the issues with Procreate without running the risk of you losing your work. To soft restart your device, hold down the lock button and the home button at the same time. If your device doesn’t have a home button, then simply hold down the lock button and one of the volume buttons.

A message to restart the device will appear at the top of the screen. All you have to do then is toggle the slider to the right to turn off the device. Wait for a few seconds, and then press down on the home/volume button and the lock button to turn the device back on. Once the device powers back on, release the buttons.

Final Thoughts

If none of the solutions described above solve the freezing issue, then you might have to take your device into a professional. There could be another issue with your device, and you might need to get a replacement. There also might be a different issue if the app freezes frequently, even after trying all of the solutions described above.

If you’re running into this issue to frequently than you’d like to admit, we can recommend trying Placeit.net as a Procreate alternative. We like it because it’s online based so it can be used on any device with internet, and it’s 100% commercially usable.

Illustrator is a complicated program with many different bugs and glitches; therefore, it can be challenging to find the root cause. While it can be handy, it can also be irritating when your trace button is greyed out. What can you do?

If your trace button is greyed-out, you may want to check your preferences, update your Illustrator, or even consider reinstalling it entirely. Preferences and out-of-date versions can lead to glitches and errors in your Illustrator experience.

What steps should you take when the trace button is greyed out in Illustrator? Let’s go over some of the most common causes and solutions.

What is the Trace Button?

Trace is the tool that will allow you to create vector paths from bitmap images. Bitmap images are made up of pixels, which cannot be resized without losing quality. The trace button is located in the button bar and is available on the Tools panel, so it should not be greyed out.

This tool will be a huge time saver if you’re working on a project that requires vector images. You can use it to create logos or icons, for example. If you have an image of a logo and want to convert it into a vector shape, press the trace button, and it will be traced in seconds.

It is very easy to use. The button has a drop-down menu to trace an image with different settings, such as color or black and white. It can also be used for more detailed drawings if the user chooses less detail in their original picture by selecting “Draft.”

There are preset options like a chalkboard, marker pen, pencil sketching, etc., which makes it convenient because all you have to do is press one key, and Trace will give your bitmap design a natural look. This is also useful for creating patterns or textures.

Greyed-Out Trace Button

Illustrator is a complicated program, which means it has the potential for many different bugs and glitches. With so many options, the root cause of this issue can be challenging to find. However, there are some solutions you can try to fix a greyed-out trace button.

One solution is to close Illustrator and open it again. You may have noticed that the button was working before but then greyed out when you tried to use it again. If this is the case, all you need to do is close and reopen your program.

Another fix for this problem is restarting your computer. This will ensure that any temporary files causing the problem will be deleted from your system and that Illustrator will work properly again.

Thirdly, try opening another document in Illustrator. In most cases, this should fix the issue because it can reset your plugins or help refresh the program’s memory, so it will start functioning properly once again.

If none of these quick fixes do the trick, here are the 5 fixes that should get your trace button back.

1. Check for Updates

When fixing a greyed-out trace button, the first thing to do is to check for updates. If a software update is available, the newest version will be downloaded, installed and you’ll be all set.

Sometimes the trace button may be greyed-out because of a software update. This is one way to fix this problem, although other problems might also exist. The easiest way to check for updates would be through your device’s settings panel and looking for an option about system updates.

2. Update Illustrator

The first step you can take is to update Illustrator. This is the simplest solution and works most of the time. You can find this by going to Help and select Check for Updates, ensuring that the lower right corner box that says “Always Update Adobe Apps” is checked.

This usually does the trick. However, if this doesn’t work for you and you are still experiencing Illustrator problems, then it is worth visiting Adobe’s customer service to see what they might be able to do for your specific situation.

3. Deactivate and Reactivate Plugins

Plugins are one of the most common causes of this issue. When plugins break, they often cause other programs to malfunction. To fix this, try deactivating and reactivating your plugin. To do this, click “Window” in the top menu bar and select “Plugins.” From there, you can click the plugin name to deactivate or activate it.

4. Set Illustrator Preferences to Default

The first thing to try is setting Illustrator preferences to default. We can do this with the following steps:

• Select “Edit” from the top menu
• Select “Preferences”
• Select the “General” tab
• At the bottom of the General section, next to “New documents show,” type in Illustrator CC 2015 (or whichever version you are using).

5. Reinstall the Program

If the trace button is greyed out and you can’t find a different fix, one solution is to uninstall Illustrator and reinstall it. Sometimes, a glitch in older software versions can cause this issue. Especially if you have not updated Illustrator for years, it is possible that installing a newer version will help.

To do so, first, uninstall any previous versions of the program and then install Adobe Illustrator CC 2018 from their website or through installing Creative Cloud on your computer system.

Final Thoughts

The Illustrator trace button is a fantastic shortcut for creating complex vector shapes from simple paths. But what if the “Trace button” is greyed out? Check for updates, update Illustrator and deactivate and reactivate plugins.

Illustrator has many tools to help you create vector art. One of the most useful is the Illustrator Trace button, which is found under “the Draw” menu and selected from a drop-down list.

If this tool seems greyed out, check for updates by going to Help and select Check For Updates in your Illustrator program first or using Adobe Creative Cloud’s application manager if you have it installed on your computer. Next, un-install any plugins that are not currently active. Finally, reactivate them before trying again.

Knowing each of the different ways to arch the bottom portion of text in Adobe Illustrator is valuable to anyone, not just graphic designers. Shortcuts in your process can save the day for the project or save it thousands of dollars in work hours. So how do you arch the bottom of the text in Illustrator?

Having the know-how of Adobe’s Creative Suite can be an impressive bullet on your resume that gets you the job of your dreams. The processes are easy but knowing which to use in a particular situation could make you the belle of the ball! So read on and learn everything you need to know about arching the bottom of the text in Adobe Illustrator.

Arching the Bottom of the Text in Illustrator

Illustrator has some of the best functionality you can get in a graphic designing application. There are ways to warp text and add design elements that make the platform the go-to for designers and artists around the globe. With the overlap of functions, there are several ways to warp the bottom of the text.

The ways to arch the bottom of the text in Adobe Illustrator are:

• Type on a Path Tool
• Menu Selection

No matter which of the ways you choose to warp text, you should be able to create excellent logos and artwork for your friends or clients that pop. Remember that choosing which is more manageable is up to you, and the method that best fits your work style will be your choice.

Using the Type on a Path Tool is a Great Way to Arch Text

The need to create logos and designs has exploded in the last few years. People start businesses in their spare rooms and garages that need to compete with big-box companies. Using the Type on a Path tool is a fantastic way to get technical and create a text rounded around the bottom.

The steps to use the Type on a Path function are:

1. Open the File – The first thing you will do in each of these processes is open your file. Remember that adding easy-to-recall file names will make the job much easier if you work with several different files.
2. Create a Circle – One of the best things about using the Type on a Path method is how fast you can create the effect. Choose the Ellipse tool from the menu and drag out a circle the size you need for your project.
3. Hold Down the Type Tool – Each of the buttons on the tools menu could have extra functionality. Holding down the type tool will show you a few different options, and you should choose the Type on a Path tool.
4. Write in the Circle – Once the Type on a Path tool is clicked, you should see your chosen font appear around the circle. Type your words in and adjust the settings to rest the text on the top of the circle.

Using Type on a Path is more in-depth than some people would like. There are other options, and they could be easier to remember or have fewer clicks. For some, remembering fewer steps in a process, in the beginning leads them to deeper functionality like Type on a Path.

Using the Menu is Also a Viable Option for Arching the Bottom of Text

The functionality with Illustrator also allows you to take a tour through the drop-down menus and adjust the text. This way is slightly slower, but the results will be much better. Typing on a path makes a circular pattern that could not fit your design aesthetic or ruin the look of your new logo.

The steps to using the menu to arch the bottom of text are:

1. Open the File – The file you are working on needs to be open. You should click on File in the top left and choose the appropriate option. Click on New, and a blank page should populate the screen if you are starting.
2. Click the Text Box – Clicking on Text will allow you to create a box with your letters inside. Dragging and clicking will allow you to set the area, and a faux font will appear. The gibberish font serves as an excellent guide to show what the text will look like when you place it on the page.
3. Use the Effect Tab – Move to the top of the screen and navigate over to the Effect tab. This tab will drop down tons of options for ways to change the shape and outline of your text. In this menu, you should choose the Warp option. Clicking Warp is going to open another menu with more options.
4. Choose Arc – The top option of the slide-out menu will be Arc. Arc takes a portion of the text and squinches it, giving the appearance of being on an arch. Once Arc is chosen, another box will appear.
5. Preview Box – Once you have chosen Arc, a menu box will appear. This box has several options, but the first click is the Preview arrow. Preview will show a miniature version of the text box and the effect of your choices—the choices in this menu range from arc percentage to horizontal and vertical text placement.

Once you have a good idea of what the project will look like, you can move on to the next portion of the project. But, again, remember that it is essential to do your homework and communicate your message with shapes that reinforce it when choosing shapes.

Conclusion

Arching the bottom of the text in Adobe Illustrator is a simple job that adds serious flair to your project or logo. It can provide depth to a business card and give you a much-needed bit of design and your company.

There are several ways to accomplish this with Illustrator. The functionality and the number of functions mean that you can arch the bottom of the numbers by going through the text options or by using your mouse and giving a few drags and clicks.

In the modern world, there’s a lot of things that it seems like everyone has and needs, when from the outside, it doesn’t seem like it’s all that important. Not to mention, there are some serious brand loyalists out there that make it seem like certain tech is absolutely required in order to progress in different areas of life. The same is true even in Graphic Design where some people wonder about the necessity of having an iPad.

You do not need an iPad for Graphic Design. However, some people and companies do like to use them even though they aren’t strictly necessary for the job.

The fact of the matter is that everyone should be using the technology that is best suited for the job at hand as well as what they are most comfortable with. Sometimes that might be an iPad, sometimes it might be something else. With the inception of online graphic design tools, you can now choose any device with internet connection to do your graphic designing. Keep reading to find out more.

Benefits for Having an iPad for Graphic Design

While it may not be needed, having an iPad is still a useful tool when working as a Graphic Designer. Depending on personal preferences, an iPad could really be a boon. It’s even a device of choice for many freelancers and illustrators due to some of the resounding perks.

Such perks include:

• Portability
• Friendly User Interface
• Powerful
• Commonly Used
• Many useful apps beyond the typical
• Works great as a graphics tablet for illustration
  • Is also cheaper than most of the really good ones
  • Can do many (or more) of the same things
• Can double as a small laptop
• Many of the same programs that are compatible with a Mac are also compatible with an iPad
• Tons of accessories

It might not be the perfect device by a long shot, but it is still an extremely useful and powerful tool that can really help. This is especially true if the designer really needs to be on the go. Those who use internet based graphic design tools tend to love iPads because it allows them to create on the go with a larger screen than a smartphone.

Reasons to Avoid Having an iPad for Graphic Design

Even though it is useful as a Graphic Designer’s tool, an iPad also has many flaws. One of which being that they don’t support the most commonly used Graphic Design software (another reason many are switching to internet based graphic design tools). Not to mention, just about everyone is aware at the high cost behind any Apple product.

Some reasons to avoid using an iPad for Graphic Design include:

• High Price
• Needs accessories to do everything
  • Apple Pencil
  • Keyboard
• No Adobe Suite products
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • InDesign
• Not strong enough for large projects
• Grievances against the brand
• Older models stop being supported
• No keyboard shortcuts

Apple doesn’t have the greatest reputation. They might do a lot of things right, but they also tend to frustrate potential and former customers with some of their questionable business practices. Thankfully, an iPad is not necessary for people with such strong grievances against the brand.

When is it Best to Use an iPad for Graphic Design?

The best use out of an iPad for Graphic Design is illustration. Popular programs such as Clip Studio Paint work amazingly well on it, and the price is much sweeter than a fancy graphics tablet. While there are some graphics tablets out there that are significantly cheaper, very few are able to be looked at while drawing under the price point of an iPad. The lag is very low, and the Apple Pencil even has palm rejection so it can be used without fudging if a hand is laid on the screen at the same time.

It’s not the greatest for big projects or something needing a ton of layout and formatting, but it’s still good enough for keeping logs, doing art, and tracking valuable information. It’s a fabulous companion device and one of the best options for illustration that won’t completely break the bank. That is at least as long as a million accessories aren’t added onto the overall cost, which can happen easily with any Apple product.

Can an iPad Replace a Computer for Graphic Design?

It depends on what the intended use of the device is as to whether or not anything is a suitable replacement for another device. In the instance of Graphic Design, it really matters what the overall needs of it is as to whether or not an iPad can suitably replace a computer.

Here are some examples of when an iPad can and cannot replace a computer for Graphic Design:

Can Replace	Cannot Replace
Illustration	Page Layouts
Invoicing	Coding
Record keeping	Large projects
Client interaction	Student needs

An iPad isn’t necessarily a suitable replacement for a computer in most situations. However, it can be a perfect replacement for one if there is less demand on the overall system, or if you opt to use an online based graphic design tool because it does not require you to download software to your device. In the end though, it really depends on whether or not the user is comfortable using it and is able to produce quality work in a timely fashion.

Conclusion

Very few things are definitely required in any profession. That includes Graphic Design, where it’s well known that someone is going to be spending a ton of time on a digital device in order to make their product. That being said, many people are going to assume that the best of the best is the only thing worth having, which is not entirely true. While having an iPad for Graphic Design is a great supplementary tool, it’s not always going to be useful for everyone with every project.

Online graphic design tools are becoming more and more popular, and they work fantastically with iPads. These tools are internet based, so you can use them on any device and you don’t need to download software to the device. This means artists can use an iPad to have a larger screen, while still being able to design on the go, or have a large screen that’s more portable than a laptop or computer.

When performing a job, including Graphic Design, the best and most comfortable tools are the ones that should be used in order to provide the best outcome. If that means using an iPad for drawing, recordkeeping, and the like, then it’s a good choice. If it means getting angry and being unable to utilize, it isn’t worth it. An iPad isn’t needed for Graphic Design, but it can be a useful tool if the designer likes and is proficient with it.

Photoshop has been a popular design tool for decades and is often used by professionals in the graphic design industry. Those who are new to Photoshop may experience frustration with the Move Tool, and when they try to resize an object, it moves without resizing. Here’s how you can fix this problem.

Reset your preferences with Photoshop itself. If the issue does not lie there, be sure that your tools have the Show Transform Tools turned on. This will allow you to see the available actions.

If you’re brand new to PhotoShop entirely, all of this can seem a little overwhelming. What is the move tool in the first place? Why would you use it? The good news is there are plenty of reasons for using the move and resizing features of Photoshop for your graphic design needs. Let’s go over some of the basics.

How to Fix a Photoshop Move Tool That is Not Resizing

The Photoshop Move Tool is a common tool that is used to move objects in an image. When you try to resize an object with the Move Tool, it may not resize, or it may only resize a little bit before moving. If this happens, there are two possible fixes.

Change Your Photoshop Preferences

The first fix involves checking your preferences in PhotoShop to make sure you have everything needed to resize images turned on. Open the Preferences dialog box by going to:

• Select Edit
• Select Preferences
• Choose General

Check That the Show Transform Tool Option Is On

If everything appears acceptable here, you next want to check that the Show Transform Tools option is on. If it is off, you will need to turn it on. If the Show Transform Tools option is on and you still are not able to resize an image with the Move Tool, then your next step is to check your keyboard shortcuts.

Are There Any Alternatives For Resizing Photos?

The easiest way to resize an object is by using the Transform Tool. You can find this tool in the Photoshop toolbar. This tool will make it easier to resize a picture or object without any frustrations. However, if this is too complicated, there are some alternatives that can help, such as Placeit.net.

Placeitt Image Resizer Vs. Photoshop

The Placeit Image Resizer is a useful tool for those who are new to Photoshop and need something to resize their objects without having to resize them manually. It has the ability to resize and manipulate an object instantly, saving you time from having to resize them by hand.

If you are looking for a more advanced tool that will allow you more control over your images, then the Photoshop Transform Tool is the right one for you. However, there is some training and know-how required to use the software, making it more difficult to manage when just starting out. By comparison, Place.It is extremely helpful for beginners.

Which Will Provide Best Resized Images?

Placeit is a great choice for beginners to resize images. It is a free tool that allows you to resize your images to the exact dimensions you want in just a few clicks. It’s easy to use and can be used on any image, and on any device with internet. Photoshop has more features than Placeit, but it’s not as easy to use as Placeit. You can get high-quality images with Photoshop, but it will take more time and effort than using Placeit for resizing your images.

Why Is My Photo Blurry After Resizing It In Photoshop?

Blurry photos are a common problem after resizing images. You may have noticed that your images become blurry when you resize them in Photoshop – this is because of the high-quality pixels that you are using with large images. Blurry photos are more noticeable when you increase the size of an image by a lot, such as making an image that was originally 5 x 7 inches into one that is 20 x 30 inches.

The best way to avoid this problem is to select the “Nearest Neighbor” option when resizing your image in Photoshop. This will allow you to keep your image looking sharp and clear as opposed to having perfectly smooth edges on your photo after resizing it.

Photoshop also has a feature called “Bicubic Smoother,” which can be used for reducing blurriness in large images after resizing them, but this option is only available for professional memberships and some paid plans on Photoshop. If you do not have access to these features, then the “Nearest Neighbor” option is the best way to ensure that your images look clear and crisp after resizing them.

How to Change the Size of an Image Without Making It Blurry

You can resize your image, without making it look blurry. To do this in Photoshop, use the “Nearest Neighbor” option to make your image larger or smaller but still maintain a high-quality result. This will allow you to make your image larger without it getting blurry. You can also use a blur filter to avoid blurring your images.

In Photoshop:

• Go to Edit
• Select Define Custom Filter

In the dialog box that appears, select Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 0. Then, click OK and apply this filter to your image. The filter will reduce any blurring that may occur when you resize your image in Photoshop, making it easier for you to make large images without them looking blurry or pixilated.

Summary

If you’re struggling with the Move Tool, don’t worry! There are a couple of ways to fix it that were covered in this article. With time and patience, you’re on your way to getting an image just right for your needs.

So, you’ve finished drawing your design in Procreate and it’s time to fill it in with color. Typically, this isn’t a problem, and the colors go where you expect them to. But what happens when you drag and drop the color and it fills the whole page?

Although there are several reasons why the entire page might fill up when dropping a color in Procreate, the answer usually lies with the percentage of the ColorDrop Threshold. If the percentage is set to high, the color won’t stay where it is intended, instead, spreading across the entire document.

If you are coloring in Procreate and it keeps filling the page, this can be quite frustrating. No worries, this is usually an easy problem to fix. Below, we’ll go over why Procreate fills the whole page, and what you can do about it.

» MORE: Procreate Color Drop Threshold Not Working [7 Easy Fixes]

Why Does Procreate Fill the Whole Page with Color?

Color filling is a little different in Procreate than it is in other design applications like Photoshop or Placeit. This is because it lacks the usual bucket filler that many of us are accustomed to.

When you use Procreate to color fill objects, the program will utilize its own internal algorithm to determine where and how the color should be applied. While this is helpful for filling defined and isolated spaces, it can be frustrating when the color goes outside of the localized area or fills the page altogether.

While there are a few different reasons this can happen, the issue is usually easy to fix.

The ColorDrop Threshold Is Too High

If your color is filling the page and that’s not your intention, this kind of error usually has to do with the ColorDrop Threshold percentage.

The ColorDrop Threshold determines how far your ColorDrop fill leaks into and over your artwork’s edges. If the percentage is set too high, the color will spread throughout the whole document instead of staying where it belongs. However, the color will restrict itself to smaller regions at lower thresholds.

To fix the problem, simply adjust the threshold to a lower percentage. This is done by moving the tin bar that appears at the top when you drag a color to the board. Once you drag the color in place, make sure to adjust the threshold to your preferred setting before lifting your finger.

ColorDrop will remember your chosen threshold setting until you change it. So, if you’ve set it to 100% at some point, it will stay that way until you lower it.

Your Reference Layer Isn’t Set

Another common cause is having a set reference layer. Setting a Reference Layer means ColorDrop will perform with whatever is on that layer. So, if your image is on a separate layer than the one you are coloring, you’ll merely flood the coloring layer if you don’t have Reference turned on.

The Selection or Shape Isn’t Closed

 Selections are specified portions of your image that have been separated from the rest of the document. This means that any modifications made while a selection is active, such as color filling, will be limited to that selection.

Let’s say you freehand draw a circle that you want to fill with color. If the circle doesn’t have a completely closed line, the program may have problems defining the borders, resulting in the coloring filling the entire page.

To fix this, simply make sure there are no gaps or breaks in the lines of the object you are trying to fill.

» MORE: Procreate Fill Tool Leaves Line? [How to Fix It]

How to Add Color Fill in Procreate

To fill individual objects and subjects, you first need to choose your color.

Procreate offers a variety of color interfaces and ways to select colors to add to your document. The Color Disc is displayed by default when you first access the Color Panel. The disc is displayed as an outside hue ring that surrounds an interior zoomable disc. This allows you to easily pick the colors you want.

To fill in Procreate, simply tap and drag the color disc onto your subject once it has been selected. Once you release your finger, the area will be filled with that color.

» MORE: Are Procreate Brushes Free for Commercial Use?

Final Thoughts

You should now have a solid idea of what to do if ColorDrop is filling the whole page on Procreate. While Procreate is a fairly simple program to use but it can be frustrating if you aren’t used to it. Next time you find your screen filling with unwanted color, check over the suggestions listed above, and you should be back to creating in no time.