Importing a raster image and then changing it to a vector

[basslion]

What is the best way to do this, importing a graphic made in photoshop into illustrator. I want to turn it into a vector. Since the graphic does include shaping, i would like to keep the shading but if its not possible, then i would like to just use solid fills.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Matt

[kuub]

there is only 1 way i can think of to do this, and that is by using paths. that means shading and fades will not convert to vectors,
you need well defined edges. if your design does have sharp edges, you're okay. in photoshop simply select a section of your design with the wand tool, and then open the paths toolbar (sometimes found as a tab behind the layers toolbar, or if not click windows at the top and tick paths). while part of your design selected, click on the icon at the bottom of the paths toolbar that looks like a circle with two little lines coming off it. this will convert your raster shape into a vector path. then at the top of the screen click on file -> export -> paths to illustrator. now - open illustrator, find the .ai file youve just made and open that in illustrator. it'll probably look blank, so hit apple/control a to select all, and choose a fill colour. if the shape has silhouette gaps, like internal cut-out pieces that are filled in when they shouldn't be, select from the top object -> compound path -> make to make a solid shape with spaces in it.