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Home Design Design Tutorials Design Basic Tutorial Inkscape image to vector
 

Inkscape image to vector

Inkscape image to vector

Introduction to Inkscape Image to Vector

Inkscape Image to Vector is a very useful technique of Inkscape, and by using this technique, we can convert any image format into a vector image. The image may be in png or jpeg file formats. In Inkscape, we can convert any image into vector format by using the Trace Bitmap feature of the Path menu of the menu bar, and we also have to make some settings in the parameters of this feature for having our desired vector image result. After having the vector format of the traced image, we can edit it with the help of the Node edit tool of the tool panel. So let me tell you the steps which will get involved in this process.

 

 

How to Convert Image to Vector in Inkscape?

There is one feature in Inkscape through which we can convert images into vectors in few seconds so let us try this feature of this software. For this purpose, I will first place an image in the working interfaces of this software. So go to the File menu of the menu bar and click on the Open option of the drop-down list.

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Inkscape image to vector output 1

I will take this Panda image for explaining how we can trace black and white images?

Inkscape image to vector output 2

Now click on the Ok button of the import dialog box.

Inkscape image to vector output 3

You can see if I zoom this image, it getting pixelates because it is a raster image. So now, I will convert it into a vector image.

Inkscape image to vector output 4

Now select your desired image, go to the Path menu, and then click on the Trace Bitmap option of the drop-down list. I will do this with this panda image.

Inkscape image to vector output 5

A Trace Bitmap dialog box will open at the right side of the working window.

Inkscape image to vector output 6

We have different types of parameters in this dialog box, and by making changes in them, we can get various results in tracing for vector images. There is a ‘Single scan’ button through which we can start tracing the selected image. So I will click on it.

Inkscape image to vector output 7

From the Brightness Threshold option, you can control the value of the density of pixels in your image during tracing. So according to requirement we can increase or decrease it.

Inkscape image to vector output 8

Once you are done with settings, then click on the Update button in the preview section of this dialog box, and it will show you a preview of your traced image with chosen parameter settings.

Inkscape image to vector output 9

After getting your desired traced result click on Apply button of this dialog box. Now we will have traced images on the source image in different layers. You can see it by moving it from the source image.

Inkscape image to vector output 10

You can see the trace layer is in Vector format because I never pixelate on the zooming.

Inkscape image to vector output 11

You can invert the traced image if you want, and for that, you have to enable the Invert Image option from this dialog box by clicking on the check box of the Invert Image option.

Inkscape image to vector output 12

And click on the update button, then you will have this invert trace of your selected image, which you can use for different purposes in your illustration work.

Inkscape image to vector output 13

Now let us convert a color image into a vector, and for that purpose, I have taken this beautiful leaves image.

Inkscape image to vector output 14

First, click on the Single scan button of the Trace Bitmap dialog box.

Inkscape image to vector output 15

And it will give you this beautiful trace result of the image once we click on the update button.

Inkscape image to vector output 16

After applying this traced result, you will find this colour image’s black and white vector form.

Inkscape image to vector output 17

You can adjust the threshold for having variations in the traced images.

Inkscape image to vector output 18.1

Inkscape image to vector output 18.2

You can play with these parameters for having more refine results.

Inkscape image to vector output 19.1

Inkscape image to vector output 19.2

There is an Edge detection option through which we can scan only the edges of the image and get the vector form of those edges. So I will select this option then click on the Single scan button.

Inkscape image to vector output 20

And you can see it gives us the result for tracing of edges of this image.

Inkscape image to vector output 21

You can also make variations in the Edge threshold for the more refined results.

Inkscape image to vector output 22

See, this is a very good result for edge tracing.

Inkscape image to vector output 23

There is also the Autotrace option, and it will trace your image as it is. So click on it.

output 24

And after clicking on the Update button, we will get colored traced image because this is color image.

output 25

If you are not satisfied with this color tracing, then you can go with the ‘Multiple scans’ option.

output 26

Now click on the ‘Multiple scans’ button.

output 27

Before clicking on this ‘Multiple scans’ button, you can manage the scan’s value by increasing and decreasing its value from the Scans box. That means if there are 8 as the value of scans, then it will trace your selected image 8 times and give you 8 layers of different shades of color that consist in your image.

If you increase the number of scans, then you will get more refined results, but it may take the time or make your computer slower according to the capacity of your computer system.

output 28

Now here in ‘Multiple scans’, we have the Colors option in the drop-down list of Brightness steps option. So I will choose the Colors option.

output 29

Enable the Smooth option for smooth tracing of paths of your image.

output 30

You can enable this Remove Background button if you want to remove the background of your traced image.

output 31

Now click on the Update button, and it will give you traced colored image preview.

output 32

Click on Apply button, and you can see it is the most accurate tracing of this image for converting it into a vector format.

output 33

Now select this image and go to the Object menu of the menu bar, then click on the ‘Ungroup’ option of the drop-down list.

output 34

Now you can separate each scanned layer, and each has a different color shade. You can use them also as per your requirement separately.

output 35

This was all about converting images into vectors in Inkscape.

Conclusion

It told you about the very good feature of this software through which you can convert raster image into vector image format and also edit its node because it will be an editable node after tracing. However, it would help if you explored other parameters of the Trace Bitmap feature of this software for having more commands on image trace and converting them into a vector format.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to Inkscape image to vector. Here we discuss How to Convert Image to Vector in Inkscape step by step in detail. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

  1. Inkscape shadow
  2. Inkscape gradient
  3. Inkscape trace bitmap
  4. Inkscape arrow

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