How would one go about recreating this without using trace?

Hi Myron,

One very advanced way; render as 3D shape, export as 2d vector using certain illustrate plugin

https://www.quora.com/3ds-Max-Software-What-is-the-best-way-to-export-a-vector-from-3dmax

or in my case for your challenge,

1. I made a flat dotted pattern in Draw
2. export from draw as a bitmap
3. create hi-poly sphere in 3D program
4. mapped bitmap pattern to it
5. rendered in hi-res
6. traced that - I had X3 at hand and also Streamline to compare.
7. I didn't optimize anything after the trace

see attached... ;-)

5125.myron.zip