Is there software for converting image files into vector files? Inkscape doesn't do it well. I download image files from websites and try to convert image files into vector files. For example, a "line drawing" of a car.
Vector tracing is a fine art - you got to have just the right kind of picture to begin with (cam.openbuilds.com uses the same potrace technology under the hood as Inkscape). Look for files with high contrast, good resolution, very little artifacting, and nice defined edges if you want successful tracing (think "clipart" style) Sometimes you can doctor the original image a little: Open it in GIMP and run the Posterize filter to even out the detail into a few less, but more defined color swatches. Or try upping the contrast to get the tracer to "see" the differences better. In Inkscape, also play with the various options when tracing the Bitmap - depending on how the image looks, you may want one over the other. Try the multiple scans one too - each color on a layer, still gives you more detail to setup operations selectively against. At the end of the day though, finding decent vectors in the first place, will be even better Apart from Inkscape, there are a couple good paid ones like Vectormagic, etc too thats marginally better
I try to find black/white images but sometimes, I have to clean up the images after tracing them so that the job looks good after setting up toolpaths and previewing the job.
Someone asked me to create a sign from an image. The image was not good quality, I tried Inkscape, GIMP, Paint.Net, online websites, etc. PhotoShop wants your kidney and CorelDraw won't install on my computer. I tried tracing by hand and entering text but the sign won't look exactly like the image. I don't have laser cutter. Any suggestions?
Redraw it for them, or make them give you workable files that comply with docs:software:file-errors [OpenBuilds Documentation]
