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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    UK
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    21,283

    Default xara bitmap tracer

    .. often gets a bad press here, but I still use it, for example if vectorising the kind of loose pencil sketching I normally do:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    these can then be exported to pdf and imported straight into the toon boom asset library

    the trace is a bit off register with respect to the image, which is a pity, but not usually a problem to me:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    might be expecting a bit much for it to align perfectly bearing in mind the way it is generated, but perhaps rob can pull a rabbit out of the hat on this one if the tracer is ever overhauled
    -------------------------------
    Nothing lasts forever...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Mönchengladbach
    Posts
    252

    Default Re: xara bitmap tracer

    I have already given up on this with xara.

    I use inkscape tracer
    or Corel X6 tracer, which i usally use for dimensioning.

    reinhard.
    no sicknature. for nearly 20 years. omg ...
    For many problems there are simple and easy-to-understand solutions that do not work.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    21,283

    Default Re: xara bitmap tracer

    I can understand that - others use vector magic, or illustrator; idealy we should all be using the best tool we have available for the specific job

    whilst vector's main advantage is that it resizes without degrading; with lineart and animation however you also have to consider what it looks like if the camera zooms right in to the line:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    you lose the graduation of the pencil which ever way you vectorise but in terms of the line itself the xara trace is actually closer to the pencil than the inkscape which is too smooth
    -------------------------------
    Nothing lasts forever...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    Placitas, New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    41,487

    Default Re: xara bitmap tracer

    Some links from the old XaraXone on bitmap tracing. I have always hoped that some attention would be given to updating Xara's bitmap tracer. I use Vector Magic and have always been satisfied with the results.

    http://archive.xaraxone.com/guest/guest49/ Paul Söderholm
    http://archive.xaraxone.com/guest/guest53/ xhris
    http://archive.xaraxone.com/guest/guest62/ Paul Söderholm

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    21,283

    Default Re: xara bitmap tracer

    yes, paul taught me how to use the tracer for lineart, a real expert, such a long time ago....
    -------------------------------
    Nothing lasts forever...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    Placitas, New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    41,487

    Default Re: xara bitmap tracer

    Looking through the old guest tutorials I had forgotten how many contributions Paul made. We meet up from time to time on Facebook.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    21,283

    Default Re: xara bitmap tracer

    that is good; I am glad he is still active
    -------------------------------
    Nothing lasts forever...

 

 

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