bitmap tracer help

[gpholman]

I've been trying to use the bitmap tracer tool on the attached image without tremendous success. I would have though a simple image like this would have been pretty easy to get right but I just can't get a good result. Any tips?

[handrawn]

you could try the settings here:
http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...729#post386729

both gnurf and xhris have done tutorials on bitmap tracing which you should be able to do a search for, and will explain the settings in more detail

the xara tracer works best [in greyscale] if you use a large bitmap and reduce afterwards as the vector result is based on a non anti-aliased image and therefore the edges of the trace appear jagged when zoomed in

[gwpriester]

Here's a link to Paul Soderholm's excellent tutorial on bitmap tracing. The trick is to starting out with a high resolution image if possible.

[zaphodeist]

Much easier and quicker to trace it using the shape editor tool Xar also attached with the hardest one done

[James Allen]

I use Xara in conjunction with other programs. I don't think that's a bad thing. It's like an airline company using Rolls Royce engines. No biggie. This was done in Vector Magic in about thirty seconds.

[itsfransie]

I use Xara in conjunction with other programs. I don't think that's a bad thing. It's like an airline company using Rolls Royce engines. No biggie. This was done in Vector Magic in about thirty seconds.

I hope you have a fire extinguisher standing by... ;-)

[xufa]

This was done in Vector Magic in about thirty seconds.

But it teaches you no skills with xara. neodeist has the better solution for such a trivial graphic.

[Albacore]

Another cheats way to do it would be to go to a Font company like DaFont and download one of the many musical fonts: http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=720

[handrawn]

But it teaches you no skills with xara. neodeist has the better solution for such a trivial graphic.

a better solution is dependant on context

the OP has been around a fair while and is probably well aware of the shape editor tool, but less familiar with the tracer and is giving it a go - just my opinion of course

agreed vector magic does not help in learning designer, but I am rather glad I am aware of it's potential and I think James was right to make mention - just as John was right in mentioning the shape editor, and Peter his 'cheat' with fonts - options are good


@GARY - thanks for the link to Paul [gnurf]'s tutorial

[ad1066]

I personally have never been able to get decent results with the bitmap tracer and have pretty much given up on it. The Shape Editor is where I live. I do about 80% of my work with that one tool. The Freehand tool has also been much improved in recent versions.

-- Ben