The Complete Guide To Using Trace Bitmap in Inkscape

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  • Опубліковано 2 лип 2024
  • One of Inkscape's many handy uses is having the ability to auto generate vector tracings of any raster image you'd like. In this tutorial we'll be going over how to use Trace Bitmap in Inkscape so you can create quick and simple vector tracings of photos. This can be really use for making silhouettes, vector textures, and colorful cartoon-like renderings from your photographs.
    Want to learn more about how Inkscape works? Check out the Inkscape Master Class - a comprehensive series of over 50 videos where I go over every tool, feature and function in Inkscape and explain what it is, how it works, and why it's useful: logosbynick.com/inkscape/
    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    00:15 Pros and Cons
    01:10 Open Trace Bitmap
    01:26 Single Scan vs Multiple Scans
    01:57 Creating Monotone Tracings
    05:19 Creating Color Tracings
    07:56 Options Settings
    09:41 Conclusion
    Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission

КОМЕНТАРІ • 131

  • @fmphotooffice5513
    @fmphotooffice5513 3 роки тому +49

    Crucial step: Prepare or optimize the bitmap in bitmap software first where you have much better control, before doing vector versions. Posterize filter, or exaggerate contrast, curves and levels carefully in Photoshop or Photopea with the vector versions you want in mind.

  • @aldernero3376
    @aldernero3376 3 роки тому +6

    I use Trace Bitmap quite a bit to convert photos into something I can plot with my AxiDraw pen plotter. I wasn't always sure what some of these options did. Thanks for the thorough and clear explanation!

  • @puregeek4895
    @puregeek4895 3 роки тому +16

    I'm looking at this at 2:30 am from India. No regrets😎🙌🏻

    • @shiroyasha1136
      @shiroyasha1136 3 роки тому +5

      sleep early and wake up early is the key to learn anything

  • @TightEWhitey
    @TightEWhitey 3 роки тому +2

    I love your tutorials! I have to play them in half speed but I appreciate how informative and concise they are

    • @MG-gb1hc
      @MG-gb1hc Рік тому +1

      😄Half speed. Now I'm going to do the same.

  • @makexroomvideogames7788
    @makexroomvideogames7788 3 роки тому +4

    I just worked through a simple project last night where I needed this video. Damn, Nick, what timing.

  • @TheCocoaDaddy
    @TheCocoaDaddy 3 роки тому +3

    Thanks for posting this! I've used the trace bitmap function once or twice but really want to learn more about how it works and more importantly, how to use it properly. Thanks!

  • @aiyahuntacheimumbi236
    @aiyahuntacheimumbi236 Рік тому +2

    This is exactly what I need to save time converting my Magna Doodle drawings into 2D Game Sprites! Thank you and the Devs!!

  • @yemarican
    @yemarican 2 роки тому

    super awesome tutorial. I have been using inskape for a few years now and I love how sharp it makes the vector images. I use this feature to screen print super clear and sharp artwork on shirts and wood. it is priceless. thanks again.

  • @chu9259
    @chu9259 Рік тому +2

    I’ve been struggling to figure this out and this video helped so much, you’re a lifesaver man thank you

  • @craftycorgis9
    @craftycorgis9 3 роки тому +6

    Thanks for all you do to help us all!

  • @juanvelezlopez
    @juanvelezlopez 2 роки тому +1

    How on earth are EVERY SINGLE ONE of your videos so good?

  • @AtlasGaming50
    @AtlasGaming50 2 роки тому

    Your videos are VERY helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make them.

  • @TechieSewing
    @TechieSewing 3 роки тому +12

    I always feel that Trace Bitmap is more art than science so avoided it for a long time. But I played with it recently and found 0.75 Brightness cutoff is really good for b/w line drawings used in sewing so I can process these really quickly now.

  • @m1hal329
    @m1hal329 3 роки тому +24

    Best Guides EVER.

  • @jeneeyasuwal
    @jeneeyasuwal 3 роки тому

    A new video Yay!!! I have learned a lot from your Inkscape tutorial videos. Thank you.

  • @traceface7001
    @traceface7001 7 місяців тому

    easily the clearest vid i've found on this process. thanks a million for the help!

  • @HIM-HUMAN
    @HIM-HUMAN 5 місяців тому

    How can I ever thank this guy

  • @tanalee229
    @tanalee229 Рік тому

    I still don't care what you talk about. I just come to listen to your voice and the music. : )
    Sort of just kidding. I love your voice and the music, but the info you give is always so helpful. Thank you for videos that keep on giving. (May 2023)

  • @my1little2pony
    @my1little2pony Рік тому +2

    This guy do be fueling the laser engraver community.

  • @upstartbyead3236
    @upstartbyead3236 3 роки тому +5

    Thank you a lot Nick!

  • @Skinny_Buddha13
    @Skinny_Buddha13 Рік тому

    I see why you have the most subs of people doing tutorials. Hands down the best

  • @onederfulgames6604
    @onederfulgames6604 3 роки тому +2

    Really useful. I appreciate you breaking down each of the options and what they do. Looking forward to episode on pixel art next!

  • @elinahafuka4998
    @elinahafuka4998 Рік тому +1

    I found this feature great to combine with "simplify path " for creating some cartoon type characters! Just grab some photo of some interesting person and make simple cartoonized character!

  • @valjauful
    @valjauful 2 роки тому

    thank you for this tutorial!

  • @DougsterCanada1
    @DougsterCanada1 3 роки тому

    Thanks kindly for this.

  • @garystanullwich5574
    @garystanullwich5574 Рік тому +1

    This video explains quite a bit. Thanks.

  • @DrunkenLeaf
    @DrunkenLeaf 3 роки тому +7

    God was hoping for one on the 24, would have released on my birthday lol

  • @GerBargerbos
    @GerBargerbos 4 місяці тому

    Thanks for this!!

  • @Drax658
    @Drax658 3 роки тому +1

    I'm using trace bitmat to get vector graphic of a simple graphic (like logo from game so I can scale it up to fit my desktop as wallpaper) and using autotrace (I think it's a new feature?) works very well.

  • @shiroyasha1136
    @shiroyasha1136 3 роки тому +4

    Mr Nick an update to the inkscape pattern video would be great, thank you

  • @mrxblocks8580
    @mrxblocks8580 2 роки тому

    Thank you this help a lot man

  • @enlacesonline
    @enlacesonline 3 роки тому

    Thank you, thank you!

  • @cacevedo07
    @cacevedo07 2 роки тому +3

    Great tutorial. A quick question: what is the difference between "open" vs. "import", and "save" vs. "export" a document?
    Many thanks!

  • @DrivableDesigns
    @DrivableDesigns 3 роки тому +2

    I have to try this! 😁

  • @epipe4
    @epipe4 3 роки тому

    Awesome!!

  • @diyaataha1996
    @diyaataha1996 3 роки тому

    Imagine the world without your content

    • @bennnhold
      @bennnhold 3 роки тому +1

      better not

    • @thiagoabreuon
      @thiagoabreuon 3 роки тому

      Probably my channel will never exist if so LOL

  • @thirdgear75
    @thirdgear75 7 місяців тому

    awesome! thanks!!

  • @alielhajj79
    @alielhajj79 2 роки тому

    thank you kindly!

  • @noelj62
    @noelj62 3 роки тому

    Awesome !

  • @lukesmith8438
    @lukesmith8438 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Nick, This is super helpful. I am looking to create simple outlined images in black. Is there a simple way to maintain black borders around an image and eliminate the color within the image using trace bitmap? The end result I am after would look like a coloring book picture of the image. Does that make sense? Thanks! Jane

  • @francootaola9172
    @francootaola9172 Рік тому

    Hey nick, from my understanding there are new options for tracing bitmaps would be a great opportunity for a new video in this subject

  • @NigraXXL
    @NigraXXL 3 роки тому +1

    This might seem redundant, but you can use single trace for all sorts of monochromatic pictures, not necessarily black and white only. Worth noting in case anyone thought they might need to remove the saturation in a single-color photo so it was black and white before trying to trace.

  • @Cubannerd
    @Cubannerd 2 роки тому

    Ok that's pretty good. I was looking for an auto tracing alternative to adobe. 👍🏻

  • @frozenflame7987
    @frozenflame7987 3 роки тому

    When you said you had a powerful computer, Idk why but I felt good and happy even though I don't have it.

  • @Zynn16
    @Zynn16 2 роки тому +2

    The trace bitmap feature is not working. When I import my image and go to the Trace...Bitmap...and when the window opens and I hit the Live Preview nothing shows up in the box and no layer is created. What do I do?

  • @george4061
    @george4061 2 роки тому

    Thanks mate 🙏

  • @gfdggdfgdgf
    @gfdggdfgdgf 3 роки тому +2

    I'm using an older version of inkscape for this because it has live preview for bitmap tracing, the current version doesn't have live preview.

  • @lazj6987
    @lazj6987 3 роки тому

    Good video. A lot of info

  • @Ema-ic1zl
    @Ema-ic1zl 3 роки тому +4

    Ouuu yeah! Greetings from Argentina

  • @Szybki1446
    @Szybki1446 3 роки тому +1

    I really like your guide and appreciate them. One that liked the most was the "How To Prepare Logo Files for Clients" via Illustrator.
    I'd like to ask you, would it be possible to make a similar guide for Inkscape?

  • @shanelatondress9259
    @shanelatondress9259 3 роки тому +1

    Thumbs up!

  • @kklol07
    @kklol07 2 роки тому

    THANKS!

  • @amylouisebrutonl9051
    @amylouisebrutonl9051 2 роки тому

    Incredible

  • @meganmoon6197
    @meganmoon6197 3 роки тому

    So many videos bookmarked!!

  • @ynnebbenny
    @ynnebbenny 3 роки тому

    You make this program look so easy. I watch and think to myself, 'I can do that" only to struggle along the way. I love your style and presentation. Well done. Hey when I fill a vecotr it never seems to fill fully, and leaves a white edges, unless I zoom and fill and then it works. Is this my bad doing or an Inkscape bug? Thanks again for all your help.

    • @LogosByNick
      @LogosByNick  3 роки тому

      The white edges might be a stroke that has been applied to your object. Try holding Shift and clicking the little red X in the bottom left corner where the color bar is. You may also have the alpha channel turned down a bit. Check the color properties in the fill and stroke menu (control + shift + f)

  • @amcds2867
    @amcds2867 Рік тому

    Thank you.

  • @Bianchi77
    @Bianchi77 Рік тому

    Nice video, thanks :)

  • @sdunca4864
    @sdunca4864 3 місяці тому

    @Logos By Nick- Love these tutorials- thank you for the approach and the information staging you do- it is appreciated from a Gen Xer who was not as techno-oriented as the common market needs... Realize these are 2 years old- and if you even see/read/respond- Would love to know if Inkscape can be used for building Wordpress Templates! My dude- if youre ever in my neck of the woods- coffee's on me! Subscribed and thank you 100% Be safe and as always- at peace!

  • @brunogawa
    @brunogawa 3 роки тому +2

    Hi Nick! Great tutorial as always! I’m having a hard time figuring out how to perform bolean operations after tracing a color bitmap. Is there a way to raster or “unify” the color layers to single vector image?

    • @LogosByNick
      @LogosByNick  3 роки тому +1

      Boolean operations won’t work on groups. You could use clipping paths as a workaround though.

    • @brunogawa
      @brunogawa 3 роки тому

      @@LogosByNick I’ll try that! Thanks! 👍🏼

  • @geoffphil
    @geoffphil 3 роки тому +4

    Another good video thanks Nick. I find that "Trace bitmap" virtually never gives satisfactory results unless a stylised/approximate "image" is required. Its just asking too much of the software.

  • @Ahmt77
    @Ahmt77 9 місяців тому

    Hello
    Thanks for this great video,
    I have a question. Can I use this technique for laser engraving? I'm trying to convert photos into vectors like this that can be engraved on a leather surface, but I'm not sure if that will work or not

  • @dutch1800
    @dutch1800 3 роки тому +17

    When I do color tracing I try to reduce the colors in the original file for better results

    • @LogosByNick
      @LogosByNick  3 роки тому +15

      Likewise. I also like to adjust the color curves in GIMP

    • @dutch1800
      @dutch1800 3 роки тому +7

      @@LogosByNick I'm sure you already knew that, might be something to add to a follow up video

  • @trttv7876
    @trttv7876 3 роки тому

    What was the hotkey again for making something smaller or bigger from the middle?

  • @NicaSimon13
    @NicaSimon13 5 місяців тому +1

    If you make an update of this video, could you please include some information how to handle the resulting image? f.e. the guitar. do we group them to keep them together? is there anything like union or flatten which will help reduce the nodes? thx.

    • @libbyseawright5996
      @libbyseawright5996 2 місяці тому

      Exactly. What do you do with it afterwards? As far as I can tell, the resulting traces are not useful at all for making into cut files, being able to change the colors, etc. I can't find any tutorials on this.

  • @baslielalene4702
    @baslielalene4702 2 роки тому

    Thanks.

  • @Kelly-yo2yk
    @Kelly-yo2yk 3 місяці тому

    Great video Nick! I would love to be able to use trace bitmap but my Asus laptop doesn't give me the shadowed replacement image that I should?? Do you have any suggestions ? Thank you

  • @JustinTunley
    @JustinTunley 2 роки тому

    Never thought I'd miss CorelDraw!

  • @MLFranklin
    @MLFranklin Рік тому

    Is there a way to isolate a color? For example, what if I just want to scan only the red part of the guitar and ignore the rest?

  • @sharminoanali6647
    @sharminoanali6647 2 роки тому

    So when I use regular bezier tool and using left click try to make curves, i find it difficult to make my next curve as it forces me to curve in the opposite direction. So say I make a curve towards the left hand side by drawing a line and then using left click, to make the next curve on the same side there is simply no option as it doesn't curve on the left hand side no matter what i do, moreover it suggests to curve towards the right hand side. It is super frustrating and making is impossible it to trace anything.

  • @hannes8216
    @hannes8216 Рік тому

    i like your music! :)

  • @vistapri9290
    @vistapri9290 2 роки тому

    does the bitmap tracing work only with white background? I've been trying with white text on black background without success. Any advice?

  • @thewanganfiles9304
    @thewanganfiles9304 2 роки тому

    Need some help here please, When I do this. Whenever I click update it says *select an image to trace* It also has no preview image when clicking update aswell.

  • @vinterskog
    @vinterskog 3 роки тому +2

    I really don't understand Inkscape. If I press "update", it only works one time. Then any change in the trace bitmap function does not work anymore no matter what I select and how many times I press "update". Same thing for the filters, it just won't apply to my picture. Not sure what I'm doing wrong...

  • @frakulaf4176
    @frakulaf4176 3 роки тому

    Damn, I was hoping you would explain one setting I never figured out the use for - SIOX...
    Good video though :)

  • @yassia1106
    @yassia1106 3 роки тому +1

    Is it possible with drawings? I mean if you drew smt on a paper, took a picture of it and used it, would this technique work? Thanks!

    • @goblinwisdom
      @goblinwisdom Рік тому

      The less complex the image the better.
      a pumpkin sketch with lots of colours and shading could be too complex as inkscape struggles with Complex colours in finished illustrations, watercolours etc.
      A pumpkin that is lineart will scan easily and speed up your workflow you can then add more details and colours in inkscape

  • @aarushsingh960
    @aarushsingh960 3 роки тому

    Hi sir please you help me? I want to know that i want to print a one of the project i designed in gimp but i don't know why there's not showing cmyk profile.. so please help me 🙏

  • @THAILANDCANUCK
    @THAILANDCANUCK 2 роки тому

    In B&W does the white get removed automatically?

  • @crudivor
    @crudivor 2 роки тому

    Can you share what are the specs of your pc? So i know what you mean by powerful? Thanks

  • @ArmaGuyz
    @ArmaGuyz 2 роки тому

    What if my image is Solid white text with a transparent background that is showing to be Solid white?

  • @darrenwalters9886
    @darrenwalters9886 3 роки тому +1

    What does it mean if no preview shows up?

  • @AlaKernel
    @AlaKernel 3 роки тому +3

    is the results any better in Adobe illustrator?

    • @LogosByNick
      @LogosByNick  3 роки тому +7

      They both produce the same results. One advantage Illustrator’s Image Trace has is that it’s a bit more stable, so it won’t crash the application as easily.

    • @Athari-P
      @Athari-P 2 роки тому +1

      Illustrator doesn't have to perform multiple runs of Potrace to get every color, for one thing, so it handles colors much better. Also a lot more sensible options which affect the result. That being said, the results are still terrible. Just less terrible. And sometimes AI does produce something usable.

  • @sliter2566
    @sliter2566 2 роки тому

    very interesting! thank you!
    I came here looking for this function but to "auto trace" better for simpler stuff, like 2D logos?
    As example, I wanted to parody a Harley Davdson logo, I just wanted the "shield" shape to write something else inside, but I couldn't get it auto traced easily, it ended all wobbly and imperfect, with corned rounded and stuff, so I traced it manually, there is a way I could get more perfect for more simple shapes?

  • @dakshsinghphelwan
    @dakshsinghphelwan 6 місяців тому

    👍

  • @jojijord_Rs
    @jojijord_Rs 3 роки тому +1

    Can you pls say which GIMP version are you using...

    • @jcast25
      @jcast25 3 роки тому

      The most current. He usually does an overview video for all the major updates. It's always a good idea to use the most current release version unless there is some plug in that you absolutely need for your work that is broken by an update

    • @jojijord_Rs
      @jojijord_Rs 3 роки тому

      @@jcast25 What send the name of it (the current version of GIMP).

    • @jcast25
      @jcast25 3 роки тому

      @@jojijord_Rs 2.10.22 is the current release version.
      gimp.org

  • @adolfocortinas6755
    @adolfocortinas6755 7 місяців тому

    What's the difference with inkscape trace , and adobe illustrator trace ? I canceled my adobe illustrator .

  • @curioustime2376
    @curioustime2376 3 роки тому

    Bro I am new user ,, plz tell me how to render or save final results. Plz🙏

  • @LUCAfrog
    @LUCAfrog 3 роки тому

    A halftone video please!

    • @LogosByNick
      @LogosByNick  3 роки тому

      Hi Mychal, I have several halftone videos on this channel. Just check the search bar.

  • @Lolake2022
    @Lolake2022 Рік тому

    I work on inkscape on the pxl

  • @ferdinandbonghanoy7195
    @ferdinandbonghanoy7195 3 роки тому

    Setting is the key

  • @holyolioli
    @holyolioli 3 роки тому +1

    what's your computer spec?

  • @custommerchofficial6688
    @custommerchofficial6688 3 роки тому

    What are your computer specs Nick?

  • @Katie-ws7xp
    @Katie-ws7xp 3 роки тому

    Hi Chris :D

  • @gurvindersinghsaagu586
    @gurvindersinghsaagu586 Рік тому

    Bro tell me how to save the BMP bitmap image in inkscape

  • @Cukito4
    @Cukito4 11 місяців тому

    Remember that if the result comes out inverted, there's a checkbox available in the same Dialogue, to counteract this inversion.

  • @rishitrajjain7157
    @rishitrajjain7157 2 роки тому

    please make a tutorial on how to make pixel art in gimp .

  • @gurvindersinghsaagu586
    @gurvindersinghsaagu586 Рік тому

    How to save BMP bitmap image

  • @tarikhnameh
    @tarikhnameh Рік тому

    what is name software?

  • @tafkurbw
    @tafkurbw 3 роки тому +1

    How long will we wait for the new video?

  • @zullo3529
    @zullo3529 3 роки тому +1

    Pretty good info but that black background you are using makes things very hard to read.

  • @barabararossa
    @barabararossa 2 роки тому

    trace no longer works in v1.1 on Windows 10