How to Use Inkscape's 'Trace Bitmap' Function to Convert Images to Vectors

When working with images, it's sometimes necessary to convert them into vectors for further editing or use in other formats. Inkscape's 'trace bitmap' function is a powerful tool that allows you to do just that. However, be aware that not every image can be traced well, and the more complex it is, the more difficult it will be to get a satisfactory tracing.

To start, select the 'Import Bitmap for Tracing' button from the File Operations group or simply drag and drop your image into the workspace. Once your image is imported, select the 'Trace Bitmap' icon in the Create Vectors group.

After selecting the trace bitmap function, you can adjust the slider bars to see if you get better results if the trace is not working properly. You can also create multiple vectors by adjusting any settings and selections and clicking Apply after creating the first one.

Once you have everything set, click preview to show the vector lines and if it is what you need, click Apply to create the actual vectors. One of the key features of Inkscape's trace bitmap function is its ability to group vectors. This means that if the created vector is composed of multiple shapes, they will automatically be grouped.

Additionally, you can use the mouse to draw a bounding box within the selected bitmap and only the area within it will be vectorized. This can be helpful when working with complex images or those with many different colors.

Another important setting is the bitmap fading option, which controls how faded the original bitmap is in the preview area. More faded makes it easier to see the vector preview but harder to see the original bitmap. Setting this to the right level can result in better vectors, but too high may result in areas merging.

The noise filter setting also plays a crucial role in the tracing process. The higher the filter level, the more noise (random pixels that do not match the color of nearby areas) is ignored. Tighter corners may be more true to the original design, while looser corners may give an more accurate representation of how the material will be cut, especially with an exterior cut.

Finally, you can control the sharpness of the corners when vectorizing by adjusting the corner fit setting. With these settings, you can create high-quality vectors from your images and use them for a variety of purposes.

Inkscape trace bitmap shows pixels