Illustrator Tutorial: How to Create a Polygonal Vector Mosaic

In this tutorial we will create a mosaic consisting of polygons. Free Scriptographer plug-in
and our imagination will help us in this unsophisticated task. Have fun and enjoy our new
Adobe Illustrator tutorial!

Creating vector polygons

Step 1
To create a polygonal mosaic, we need a reference image. In this tutorial I will be using
the Red Apple from Shutterstock. Paste the image into the current document (File > Place
...), then click on the Embed button in the Control panel (Please do not skip this step)

Lock the image in the Layers panel, in order to make sure we do not move it in the further work.

Step 2
Begin to create polygons. Polygons can be polygonal shapes which sides are straight-line
segments. Turn on the stroke of black color and choose white color as the color of the fill.
Set 50% opacity in the Transparency panel. Create the first polygon at the place of glare
on the apple.

For further work set the following settings. Turn off the New Art Has Basic Appearance option in
the flу-out menu of Appearance panel.
This will allow us to create new polygons with the same opacity as the first polygon or last
selected one. Turn on the Smart Guides option (View > Smart Guides).
This will allow combining points of adjacent polygons exactly. With the exact combination
of the tool with the point, there will appear "anchor" inscription.
Step 3

Create new polygons, so that there are no gaps in between.

It is difficult to give advice on the shape and size of the polygons. Everything depends on
the shape of the object and the distribution of colors on its surface. However, try to place
the polygons so that their edges reproduced object volume and the shape of the shadows
and highlights. Yes, it's not easy. Here you need a little more practice. Frankly speaking,
this is the first experience for me. I hope that you'll do much better.

Anyway, you can edit the achieved result.

Step 4

Now create polygons over the shapes of a leaf and an apple stalk.
Select all the created polygons, then turn off the stroke and set 100% opacity for them.
Though I tried to work neatly, but still some defects could not be avoided. For exact points
combining of the adjacent polygons select them with the help of the Lasso Tool (Q).

Now align them vertically and horizontally with the help of the Align panel.

Now align them vertically and horizontally with the help of the Align panel.

Now align them vertically and horizontally with the help of the Align panel.
Now align them vertically and horizontally with the help of the Align panel.
If you missed some polygons, just finish drawing them. After elimination of all the defects
polygons are ready to be colored.

Coloring polygons
Step 5

To color polygons, we will be using free Scriptographer plug-in. You can download and
read the instructions on how to install it following links - Download and Installation
Instructions. Open its Main Palette (Window > Scriptographer > Show Main Palette).
Now unlock the image of an apple in the Layers panel. Select it, and all of the polygons. In
the Main Palette choose the script named Colorizer, then click on the Play button.
After a few seconds all the vector objects will be colored in the colors of the bitmap
image.
Step 6

You can edit the achieved result. For example, using the Lasso Tool (Q) you can select the
points of adjacent polygons and move them in the direction you decide.
You can make some fragments in details. To do this, with the Scissors Tool (C) cut the
necessary polygons.
Do not forget to close the cut paths. To cut polygons you can also use the Knife Tool. In
order to make this tool cut along a straight line, hold down the Option / Alt key.
After all the changes, select all the polygons and lower image, then run Colorizer script
again.
Step 7

You may not be satisfied with the color of some polygons. No problem. Just select it and
recolor it with the help of the Color panel.
If you turn off the visibility of the reference image, we can notice thin gaps between the
polygons.
Do not worry about it. When you save the image as a bitmap, these cracks will not be
visible.
Automatic generation of polygons
Step 8

For automatic generation of polygons you can use the Grid generator script. Place it to the
folder where Scriptographer scripts are. After that, it will appear in the Main Palette.
After running the script there opens a panel in which you can choose the type of grid and
specify the number of columns and rows.

Step 9
When the grid is generated, select any reference image and all the vector objects, then run
Colorizer script.