How to Auto Trace a Photo

[adbuch]

This example will show how to start with a screen shot image and process it using Paint.net and Inkscape to produce a vector file.This is only an example, but the same steps could be used to process any similar image you choose to work with. Let me know if you have any questions about this process and I will be happy to provide further explanation.

David

anchor welcome sign for auto trace example.jpg (25.98 KiB) Viewed 9542 times

[adbuch]

[adbuch]

Here is an alternative method to auto tracing using circles, rectangles and other shapes combined with the Union and Difference tools and a little bit of manual tracing to achieve a similar result. Let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to reply.

David

anchor welcome sign for auto trace example.jpg (25.98 KiB) Viewed 9530 times

[adbuch]

[acourtjester]

good show

[Dirtmotor]

Nice , I assume that is not the "free" version of paint ?
I searched Paint.net , evidently I have a old version on my windows 8 laptop , it doesn't have a lot of editing options...

[adbuch]

Nice , I assume that is not the "free" version of paint ?
I searched Paint.net , evidently I have a old version on my windows 8 laptop , it doesn't have a lot of editing options...

The Paint.net I use is free. It came as a standard accessory on all of my Windows computers. You can use the link below to get to the Paint.net site to download the latest version. I am using version 4.3.12, and haven't updated to the newest version yet. Let me know if you have any specific questions about using it for the examples I have posted.

David

https://www.google.com/search?channel=f ... t+download

[acourtjester]

There is a difference Paint.net is free but Microsoft's paint is not the same program. I had it and I think one of the auto updates by Microsoft removed it. I just downloaded it from the correct site and it is 5.0.9

[adbuch]

There is a difference Paint.net is free but Microsoft's paint is not the same program. I had it and I think one of the auto updates by Microsoft removed it. I just downloaded it from the correct site and it is 5.0.9

Tom - I am using Paint.net for my examples. My Windows pc came with several different paint programs, as shown below. Thanks for your input.

David

paint.net 1.jpg (79.52 KiB) Viewed 9458 times

[Dirtmotor]

Thanks, looks like mine only has paint on it , I need to upgrade to ten . not going do it on this one , will have to wait till I get a new computer . I can see where being able to adjust contrast would really help with picture tracing ,something I am struggling with .

[adbuch]

Thanks, looks like mine only has paint on it , I need to upgrade to ten . not going do it on this one , will have to wait till I get a new computer . I can see where being able to adjust contrast would really help with picture tracing ,something I am struggling with .

You don't need to upgrade to get Paint.net. It is a free download available for anyone to use. I have it on Windows 10, Windows 7, and maybe even my Windows xp machine. You can download it using the link below.

https://www.getpaint.net/download.html

David

[adbuch]

I can see where being able to adjust contrast would really help with picture tracing ,something I am struggling with .

Yes - being able to adjust brightness/contrast and inverting inverting colors can be very helpful to get your image into a more "Inkscape friendly" format for auto tracing and further editing. Here is an example showing the steps I used for this one. It's a combination of adjusting brightness/contrast, then inverting the colors, and then one more time adjusting the brightness/contrast. The result is almost all black and white and will give a much better auto trace than the original colored image.

David

Paint.net 5.jpg (27.38 KiB) Viewed 9432 times

[TJS]

This is a great post. I have to look into what Paint I acutally have as well.

[acourtjester]

Here is another function in the Paint.net program that is very helpful, recorded by rdj356.

You can select sections in an images and use this to copy for use in Inkscape for clearer work. Here are some screen shots showing some of that. Adjusting the tolerances you add of subtract portions to copy. Placing the cursor on what you want for the function to copy as you start makes it easy to break up an image and copy parts to be used in Inkscape to combine helps too.

anchor image 4.JPG (54.62 KiB) Viewed 9399 times

[Dirtmotor]

I opened the link for paint.net , I may be wrong but it looks like my computer with 8 on it does not meet their system requirements ?

[adbuch]

Tom - thanks for that tip! I had seen Robert's video before - he offers a great tutorial on using some of the features of Paint.net.

David

[adbuch]

I opened the link for paint.net , I may be wrong but it looks like my computer with 8 on it does not meet their system requirements ?

You could try to install it anyway to see if it works, or maybe look for an older version to install. Let us know how you make out.

David

[adbuch]

I opened the link for paint.net , I may be wrong but it looks like my computer with 8 on it does not meet their system requirements ?

I just checked and I am using Paint.net version 4.3.3 on my Windows 7 computer. I expect the newer version would work fine with Windows 7 as well. I think it all depends on your graphics card, memory, etc. I would go ahead and download it and try it with your Windows 8. Good Luck!!

David

[adbuch]

Here is another function in the Paint.net program that is very helpful, recorded by rdj356.

You can select sections in an images and use this to copy for use in Inkscape for clearer work. Here are some screen shots showing some of that. Adjusting the tolerances you add of subtract portions to copy. Placing the cursor on what you want for the function to copy as you start makes it easy to break up an image and copy parts to be used in Inkscape to combine helps too.

Tom - I just tried out your method and it works great! I think the result of the auto trace turned out cleaner than my original where I had adjusted brightness/contrast, inverted colors, etc. So less editing to clean it up for the parts I wanted to keep. I personalized it just for fun. Another tool to add to the tool bag.
Thanks,
David

[acourtjester]

I just copied Roberts video, your detailed post show the steps better.
I like the Anchors Away, as an old swap jockey

[adbuch]

I just copied Roberts video, your detailed post show the steps better.
I like the Anchors Away, as an old swap jockey

[Dirtmotor]

Thanks David , I downloaded it on work computer works great I think it will be a big help . Would not load on old computer .

[adbuch]

I just copied Roberts video, your detailed post show the steps better.
I like the Anchors Away, as an old swap jockey

Tom - I was trying to do something a little bit different. Thanks for your appreciation! Here is the svg just in case you have any interest in doing anything with it.

David

Anchors Away.svg image.jpg (48.35 KiB) Viewed 9282 times

Anchors Away.svg

(236.7 KiB) Downloaded 123 times

[adbuch]

Thanks David , I downloaded it on work computer works great I think it will be a big help . Would not load on old computer .

Great to hear you've got it installed on one of your computers! Let us know how you make out using it and if you have any questions or comments.

Thanks,
David

[acourtjester]

Thanks David downloaded and stored, my table is in pieces as I am doing an upgrade to Clearpath servos. I am waiting on a power supply should be in a few days.