Is there an easy way to trace out a raster logo and convert it to vector for easy scaling -- using any of the tools in Production Premium?

Client supplied me with a simple graphic logo as a flattened photoshop file (*.psd) without layers, and on a white background. I've asked the client and this all they have.

Client wants me to pull it apart and rebuild it in a motion graphic (After Effects), for use in a splash screen for a DVD (Encore). I see what she wants, and it would work well for that purpose. But first I've got to recreate the logo. It would take me a couple of days to do this by hand, so first I'm looking to see if there isn't a nice tool to use that can trace it out and give me vector paths.

Any ideas?

The trace function in illustrator could work for you - depending on the complexity of the image. Although for colour images, I rather like to use a plug in called fluid mask in photoshop which cuts out rather nicely, so I tend to make new layers using that now rather than use illustrator.

If you choose the Illustrator solution, here is a tutorial on the process: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/illustrator/articles/illcs2ttlvtrace/illcs2ttlvtrace.pdf

Hey Battle,

My new employee says THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I had him working on several logos converting them into vector based so I can use them within Cinema 4D. He knows Photoshop but is still learning IL (and I am not very good with IL either) so this just saved him several hours.

However, either he has NOT been watching Lynda.com like he told me or Live Trace is considered more advanced and is in a later class.

PS from me, THANKS!

If you choose the Illustrator solution, here is a tutorial on the process: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/illustrator/articles/illcs2ttlvtrace/illcs2ttlvtrace.pdf

Ah, cool. That works quite nicely. Thanks!

@ Steve and Bruce, glad it worked for you!