How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape

Method 1 of 2:

Tracing Automatically

  1. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 1
    Import your image. Click 'File' on the menu bar, and then select 'Import.'
  2. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 2
    Open the tracing tool. To open Inkscape's tracing engine, click 'Path' on the menu bar, then select 'Trace Bitmap.' [1]
  3. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 3
    Choose between single and multiple scans. Select 'single' if you'd like to create a single path from the image, or 'multiple' if you'd prefer many overlapping paths. [1]
    1. Choosing single scan options:
      1. Brightness cutoff uses the shade of a pixel to decide whether it should become black or white. The higher the threshold setting, the darker the image will become. [1]
      2. Edge detection will create a path based on differences in the brightness of pixels. The threshold settings adjust the darkness of the output. Again, a higher threshold will produce darker output.
      3. Color quantization produces a path based on differences in color. The 'number of colors' setting gives you the opportunity to specify how many colors you'd want in your output were it possible to output in color. An algorithm is then used to turn those theoretical colors black or white.
    2. Choosing multiple scan options:
      1. Brightness steps allows you to specify the total number of scans. [2]
      2. Colours uses the number in the 'Scans' box to determine how many colors to output.
      3. Grays is like colors, but with shades on the grayscale.
      4. Extra options: The "Smooth" option will apply a Gaussian blur before tracing, and 'Stack scans' gets rid of holes in path coverage. [2] Check 'Remove background' to get rid of background, which usually has the lightest color.
    3. More options:
      1. Suppress speckles will eliminate any spots, dust, distortion, and other unwanted bits. [2]
      2. Optimize paths merges Bezier curves.
  4. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 4
    Click 'Update' to see a preview. If your lines appear too thick or not prominent enough, you likely selected a trace mode that's better suited for a different type of image. Inkscape recommends running the tracer tool three times in order to determine which of the three options best suits your personal needs. [1]
  5. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 5
    Click OK to create the paths. The bitmap image will be preserved in the SVG file.
  6. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 6
    Edit and fine-tune your results. Click on the "Edit paths by nodes" button to the left (or F2) to adjust nodes and curves.
Method 2 of 2:

Tracing Manually

  1. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 7
    Import your image. Click 'File' on the menu bar, and then select 'Import.'
  2. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 8
    Open the Layers dialog. While tracing on a new layer is technically optional, it will help you see what you are doing by giving you the option to play with the opacity settings on your image (or the tracing layer). Click 'Layer' on the menu bar, then select 'Layers.' [3]
  3. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 9
    Add a new layer. Click the '+' button to add a new layer. Type a name for the layer (like 'tracing layer') and switch to 'Above current' for the position. Click 'Add.' [4]
  4. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 10
    Select a tracing tool. There are different tools available to suit different needs.
    1. Press the F6 key on your keyboard (or click on the pencil icon on the tool menu) to select the pencil/freehand tool. This tool will allow you to freely draw anywhere on your image. If you're using a drawing tablet, have a steady hand or not much to trace, this tool may suit your needs.
    2. Press Shift+F6 simultaneously (or click on the pen icon on the tool menu) to open the pen/Bezier tool. This tool allows you to click at the ends of lines you want to trace, which will create small, easy-to-manipulate segments. If you have several lines to trace and/or are using a mouse, this tool will give you the most precise results. Double-click at the end of each line to end the path.
  5. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 11
    Using your drawing tablet or mouse, trace every line in your image. If you're using the pen tool, try using shorter lines instead of a single continuous line. This will make your trace easier to edit, as you won't have to start a long line all over again if you make a tiny mistake at the end.
    1. You can switch between your layers in the layer dialog box. Just double click on the layer name you want to work with and you'll be switched to that view.
    2. It may help to make your bitmap more (or less) opaque as you draw your paths. With the layer selected in the dialog box, move the slider bar beneath 'Opacity' to see which settings works best for you.
  6. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 12
    Open the 'Edit Node' tool. On the tool menu, click the second arrow button from the top (the 'edit' arrow) to active edit mode. In this mode, you'll be able to click and drag nodes for fine-tuning.
    1. If you have too many nodes and it's taking you forever to move them all where they need to be, you can simplify your nodes. This may change the shape of your line just slightly, but it may not be noticeable. Use Ctrl+L ( Cmd+L on a Mac) to reduce the amount of nodes.[5]
  7. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 13
    View your trace without the bottom layer. To make sure you traced every line you want in your vector image, click on the first layer (the raster image) and reduce the opacity until all that's visible are the lines you drew. If you find you left out a line, return to the layer tool and increase the opacity so the lines you need to trace are visible.
  8. How to Trace an Image Using Inkscape Picture 14
    Remove the bottom layer and save your image. In the layer tool, click on the first layer (the layer containing the original artwork) and delete it by clicking the subtraction symbol. To save your trace, click File and then Save As.
3.9 ★ | 16 Vote

May be interested

  • Paleontologists discovered the fat on the body of the fish lizard 180 million years agoPaleontologists discovered the fat on the body of the fish lizard 180 million years ago
    fat is something that always exists on an animal's body, but in fact they are very biodegradable and cannot exist in the form of fossils like bones, but recently paleontologists have recently found a trace. trace of fat on fossilized fish lizard in germany. this discovery will raise our awareness of fish lizards.
  • How to bypass a Windows password leaves no traceHow to bypass a Windows password leaves no trace
    instructions to pass a windows computer password without leaving a trace, this is how you use your friend's computer without being detected.
  • Profiling Go Program with Pprof and Trace packagesProfiling Go Program with Pprof and Trace packages
    improve the efficiency of go programs with simple profiling techniques . here's how to profiling go program using pprof and trace packages
  • How to Sell SVG FilesHow to Sell SVG Files
    creating svg files (short for scalable vector graphics - resizable vector graphics) is a way to earn passive income from your own designs. simple svg files are sought after by many crafters who use cutting machines like the silhouette cameo or cricut, because the images are easy to resize and cut. to sell svg files, you only need a creative design idea and a vector graphics editing application like inkscape to create the image. here's a tutorial on how to turn your ideas into svg art that you can sell on etsy and other creative marketplaces.
  • How to Crop an Image Using GIMPHow to Crop an Image Using GIMP
    this wikihow teaches you how to crop your image with gimp. when you crop an image, you cut a portion of an image from a larger image. for example, if you have a picture of you and your family, you can crop the image to remove all the...
  • Border Image - Create image borders in CSSBorder Image - Create image borders in CSS
    css border image is adding images that appear on the border for elements.
  • How to find the same image on Google Image?How to find the same image on Google Image?
    finding the same image is one of the interesting features of google image. accordingly, with a photo available on the internet or a photo available on the device, you can find other photos with similar layouts, tones or styles. please refer to the steps below to learn how.
  • Image Sprite in CSSImage Sprite in CSS
    the sprite image will reduce the load required to the server, reduce the image file size, speed up page loading and save system resources.
  • How to Search by ImageHow to Search by Image
    this wikihow teaches you how to search the internet by uploading an image to a search engine like google image search, tineye, or bing visual search. searching by image allows you to find out where the image appears online, and also gives...
  • 5 ways to add an image to another image5 ways to add an image to another image
    whether you want to create a collage, card, or something else, it's easy to insert one image into another. keep reading to learn how to add an image to another image on your computer, browser, or mobile device, with instructions for each method.