Bitmap Tracer

[pauland]

The Bitmap Tracer creates overlapping shapes to make the vector trace of the bitmap. Is there an easy way to combine these so that there are no overlapping shapes, just abutting shapes, just like a 'paint as you draw' set? basically I want to flatten the overlapping shapes, is this possible?

Paul

[pauland]

The Bitmap Tracer creates overlapping shapes to make the vector trace of the bitmap. Is there an easy way to combine these so that there are no overlapping shapes, just abutting shapes, just like a 'paint as you draw' set? basically I want to flatten the overlapping shapes, is this possible?

Paul

[pauland]

paint as you draw? I meant Painting by numbers!

Paul

[Egg Bramhill]

Paul,
I don't think its possible to get an exact trace such that there are no overlapping shapes (or for that matter spaces) which you would achieve had you drawn the vector image yourself.
What are you trying to achieve? One of the methods you can use to get a "painting by numbers" effect is to trace the image, ungroup it and with all objects selected apply a bevel. This does give each shape a more defined edge and also fills any gaps. (This can be quite processor hungry so expect a wait.)
If on the other hand your aiming to trace an image so you could use it with a vinyl cutter, I've never found a satisfactory method.
Come back with more detail of what your endevouring to do.
Egg

[pauland]

I use a 3D package that can accept illustrator format files. When using a scanner, it would be convenient to use xarax to trace the scanned files, then the shapes produced by xarax could be exported to the package. Unfortunately at the moment they aren't the right shapes! The only way to do this with xarax that I know of, is by hand.

Paul