Converting Raster to Vector

[HaRuMaN]

Are there any programs (freeware/shareware) out there that convert raster images to vector images?  (Preferrably .svg format)

I've tried using Autotrace, but I can't get it to work on my system.

Any ideas?

[Jakobud]

There is no real automated way to do this accurately.  Sorry.  You can't take a raster image of any given resolution and tell the computer to upres is to a higher resolution.  You are telling the computer to make it more detailed but there is no way for a computer to look at a few pixels and know where to add the detail.  A vector image is like a raster image with an infinitely high resolution... so there is basically no way to do it.  That is why all of us create the vector images by hand, tracing over raster images manually.

[HaRuMaN]

Is there a method for tracing?  I've tried it by hand...  it's tedious, and I'm not very good at it.

[Frostillicus]

Tracing by hand is the only way to get quality images.  Using special programs or the autotrace tool in illustrator just leads to crappy shapes with little or no detail.  Stuff overlaps, way too many curves or points, it's more hassle than it's worth.  There's no shortcut.   The old saying, "If it's worth doin'...."  

[Justin]

Adobe Streamline has worked very well for me on black and white images.  No good on color.

[HaRuMaN]

After hours of Googleing, I have found a program that will convert raster to vector and does a pretty decent job of it.  Does nice on color drawings as well as black and white.

Its called Vector Eye and you can find more info about it at http://www.celinea.com/

There is a 7 day free trial (uncrippled) you can download.    So I have been vectorizing everything I can get my hands on.  

[Justin]

After hours of Googleing, I have found a program that will convert raster to vector and does a pretty decent job of it.  Does nice on color drawings as well as black and white.

Its called Vector Eye and you can find more info about it at http://www.celinea.com/

There is a 7 day free trial (uncrippled) you can download.    So I have been vectorizing everything I can get my hands on.  

Wow, looks like it creates clean vector files... Can you post an example of your own?

-J

[Frostillicus]

After hours of Googleing, I have found a program that will convert raster to vector and does a pretty decent job of it.  Does nice on color drawings as well as black and white.

Its called Vector Eye and you can find more info about it at http://www.celinea.com/

There is a 7 day free trial (uncrippled) you can download.    So I have been vectorizing everything I can get my hands on.  

I gave that program a shot but it's results are just the same as the others - and yes I messed with different settings and various raster images for a little while.  I don't know how else to say this: automatic tracing programs/tools suck.  period.  I want to believe there is a shortcut, but there isn't.  How cool would it be to just designate a source and have a perfect output at the end?  But it's not reality yet.

If you do vectorize anything with this program, try resizing it to like 16in across and see the magic disappear.  As I explain in the tutorial, the whole point for vector artwork is so it looks great reproduced at large sizes and high dpi.  If it looks really bad blown up, then it's not worth it.  For example, I wanted to use a few chars from the vector library, but after I enlarged them I noticed some huge holes, gaps, weird lines, etc.  I ended up tweaking them.  They may look okay small, but I'm not satisfied with lower quality at large sizes (especially with printing costing so much   )

I hate sounding so negative.  Bottom line is we all appreciate everyone's effort to add to the vector resource

[zorg]

I have to agree with Frostillicus

I don't know how else to say this: automatic tracing programs/tools suck.  period.  I want to believe there is a shortcut, but there isn't.  How cool would it be to just designate a source and have a perfect output at the end?  But it's not reality yet.

check how nany points those crappy progs use to trace a perfect circle (just 4 are needed), and you 'll see
the problem.

dont't waste time trying to obtain good results with this kind of programs. just improve your training in producing vector art by hand. you'll see it's time consuming but, the results could not be compared.

 

[neuromancer]

dont't waste time trying to obtain good results with this kind of programs. just improve your training in producing vector art by hand. you'll see it's time consuming but, the results could not be compared.

And don't waste any time trying to learn to vectorize if you don't have a Graphire tablet.

imo

Bob

[zorg]

And don't waste any time trying to learn to vectorize if you don't have a Graphire tablet.

well in this case I stop to vectorize....and wait after you guy for a tablet gift  
start subliminal message
but I really prefer if you offer an Oscar vortex spinner with a black DOT knob
end subliminal message

tablet is not necessary as you tend to think it. what's necessary is the "shift key" that allows you to trace perfect sticking 0/45/90/135/180 degrees tangent.
and you can specify more angles in the preferences

[neuromancer]

well in this case I stop to vectorize....and wait after you guy for a tablet gift  

You do all that with the mouse? You deserve a Graphics tablet! That's a good tip about the shift key. I like the way it keeps the anchor points on the angles too.

Bob

[Frostillicus]

heh.  No fair using ninja mind control, zorg.  I have to be honest here, I have one of those giant wacom tablets and I only ever use it for photoshop, and even then rarely.  

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah I see what you mean.. blew up the results to about 16X and saw how ugly it was...  oh well.  I guess I'll have to practice by hand.

I've been doing some drawings of my own though... been turning out nicely.    I like vector format.

[ssdesigner]

I'd have to agree with Justin....Adobe Streamline is a fantastic product. If you have a hard time getting stuff to vectorize correctly...convert it to Black & White (greyscale in Photoshop) first then try it.

This is more for a quick scan to see what something will look like in diff. colors in Ill. before spending alot of time drawing it all out...or if you have REALLY nice camera ready artwork.

But, nothing will replace sitting down with the graphics tablet or mouse & pentool and retracing it in Illustrator.

-SS

[neuromancer]

heh.  No fair using ninja mind control, zorg.  I have to be honest here, I have one of those giant wacom tablets and I only ever use it for photoshop, and even then rarely.  

That's because it's the giant one. I've got the 4x5 graphire, and even it's too big for normal use. I use a section about 2 x3 for most things. I'll use the whole area for tracing artwork, but that's about it.

My wrist gets sore just thinking about using a "normal" mouse, or even a good trackball.

My hands tend to shake, especially when I haven't had enough coffee, so sometimes I use the wireless wacom mouse on the tablet for extra precision.

I highly recommend them for anyone who experiences pain as a result of mouse usage.  I asked on alt.graphics.photoshop how much better a tablet was, compared to a mouse, and someone suggested this: draw a circle with your mouse, and a square, and then sign your name. Now do the same things with a pencil. Not to mention that the tablet is pressure sensitive.

Bob

[screaming]

For example, I wanted to use a few chars from the vector library, but after I enlarged them I noticed some huge holes, gaps, weird lines, etc.  I ended up tweaking them.

  Frostillicus, can you give some specific examples of things people can do to make it so they don't need to be tweaked?  I know you have that wonderful tutorial (Which I plan on using soon - see my thread)   and I want to make sure I don't start any bad habits right from the start

Thanks,

/Steve

[Wade]

Hey guys,

   Raster->Vector programs still aren't perfect but rest assured they will be eventually as long as there is a market for it (and I think that currently, there is quite a market).  There are people who dedicate their professional or academic life to furthering areas of AI like pattern recognition, raster to vector conversion, etc.  Face, voice, and text recognition have already surpassed the ability of humans!

Wade