Bitmap to vector?

[x0rnn]

Hey, I'm new to all of this, and was wondering... Can you convert a bitmap image to a vector graphics? The thing is, I have a logo that I want printed on a shirt, but the printing company only prints logos if they are in vector shape.
Can I do this with PSP, or do I need CorelDRAW? Basically what I want to do is leave the outer circle line, have a white background inside the circle, and EMO written black inside. Well, currently the outer background is transparent, but the company said they can't print that... So I guess by converting it to a vector and removing the transparent outer background should do it... I don't know how to do it though :/ Anyone willing to tell me, or maybe even do it for me? Thanks a lot!

[handrawn]

Hi x0mn, Welcome.

Is this what you need?
Dont think psp will do this - corel draw probably will.
I use XaraPro, except for the initial trace where I used Inkscape.
This because whereas Xara is much easier to use for most things vector-wise its bitmap tracer is unhelpful for this sort of thing.
Vectors Im happy with, printing I try to avoid, but the attached file is saved from xara in what I understand to be the correct 'printer friendly' cmyk pdf/x format.

Good luck

Steve

[x0rnn]

Thanks a lot for helping out!
I didn't know you could save vector graphics in pdf format, that's cool.
I don't know how you did it, but is it transparent outside and white background inside? It should look something like this when it's done:


Just noticed something, when I zoom in, I see all these borderlines around the letters;
http://shrani.si/files/untitledt6h4.png

Is this normal for vector graphics?

[handrawn]

No problem - glad to help.
If you import the pdf into a vector based program such as xara xtreme pro
you should see the shape as shown - its actually a stack of several. You can view it in a pixel editor eg photoshop too - but if you save it it will be converted to bitmap.
If you have xarapro, and inkscape too preferably, I will post up the method, anit hard to do but best if you try it out for yourself?

EDIT:
by which I mean of course, if you have the programs I can guide you through trying it out for yourself if you so wish, sorry if this sounded as if it might mean something else.
END OF EDIT

See what you mean about the border overlaps will take a look.....

EDIT just make clear - it will be imported into photoshop as a bitmap - photoshop dont do vectors

[handrawn]

got it: uneccesary layers from the trace - blame it on Sunday Lunch......
watch this space

[handrawn]

This should be better.
Course, if you had XaraXtremePro you could redraw this as vector from scratch in less time than it takes to tweak the trace once you'd got the basics - worth thinking about - give the trial a whirl... would come out smoother too...
www.xara.com

[handrawn]

No problem - glad to help.
If you have xarapro, and inkscape too preferably, I will post up the method, anit hard to do but best if you try it out for yourself?

by which I mean of course, if you have the programs I can guide you through trying it out for yourself if you so wish, sorry if this sounded as if it might mean something else.

original post edited.

[jamesmc]

This was done in Paint Shop Pro 9

[handrawn]

interesting

does psp9 save this in vector format?

[jamesmc]

interesting

does psp9 save this in vector format?

It can save to EPS which can be read in as a vector.

I only have Xtreme not Xara Pro, so can't tell you if Xara Pro can import it, but Xtreme coughed and sputtered and failed to load it.

I did successfully import the EPS file into Adobe Illustrator and all objects were converted to groups.

As far as I know, most printers will accept EPS files.

Note: Attached screen file showing EPS version in Adobe Illustrator.