Liz:

What I can say is, Marlene and I have discovered that manually tracing
something is NOT satisfactory.  We always trace off of a scan.  I always
trace into Illustrator using the freehand tool.  Sometimes it puts too many
points.  I am usually tracing maps.  For smooth surfaces I might use the
pen tool (then why do I need the Wacom??).  I also know you can select
loose or tight somewhere...  The actual tracing is not faster.  It's the
flexibility once it is in there that is so useful.

With the new Illustrator you can put a TIFF file on a back layer.  It has
much more detail than a PICT and though Illustrator has designed in the
PICT tracing thing it is very crude.

Others?

Yes, Emil, Paul is right, so just shoot yourself, you too, Frank.  Or take
Paul's approach and output that thing through the window.


Happy Holidays, everyone!

Clara