Convert to SVG

[FeuerFrei]

Looking for a solution for turning scanned artwork into SVG format. Input file format would be ... .tif maybe? I'm asking for an artist.

Are those "Free" online converting utilities worth looking into? (Not saying it has to be free.)

 

[Shamrock]

You can always use Inkscape, just select "trace Bitmap" in the path pulldown. Then just save as .svg

Some other gurus might have a more definitive answer. I use inkscape for vinyl cutting.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Inkscape, eh? Scan to bitmap, trace, then save - it is that straightforward? Or do you have to manually draw paths?

I'm talking scanning in an illumination like this, and saving as an SVG.

 

[Shamrock]

yes, that easy, it detects edges and draws them. It will trace the paths, if it misses one or 2, then you can try "object to path" in the same menu.

Did I mention Inkscape is free? Can't hurt to try it.

https://www.inkscape.org

 

[FeuerFrei]

I probably need a tutorial.
Downloaded 64-bit Inkscape. Pasted the above .jpg image into Inkscape. Traced paths (with smoothing disabled), then did a bunch of bucket fills, for more uniform colors.

How do you scale the working image? All the paths and color edits appear to be on an upper layer, with the original image beneath. When I scale with the selection grips it only scales the original image beneath - all my edits stay the same size, in their own top layer. 😕 Ridiculous.
There's no menu choice to Flatten Image, or Scale Image either.

I just need to know that one can print at various sizes without loss of resolution - so the artist can sell larger prints.
Hope the artist appreciates all the effort I'm expending to offer her good advice.

 

[Shamrock]

I just started using it myself. I don't know how to scale yet, unless you just pull it from a corner.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Right. Mulling it over, I can see how scaling would be irrelevant for a vector graphic, and thus not on the menu. But there should be some way to control print size, or default display size, IMO.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't really use it at all. SVG manipulation confuses me, but if you click on document properties, it gives an option for custom size. Will that work?

 

[FeuerFrei]

I don't really use it at all. SVG manipulation confuses me, but if you click on document properties, it gives an option for custom size. Will that work?

Thanks. I guess so. Tried it just now. Not the most responsive to inputs, but changes kick in eventually.
Still trying to figure out how User Units Per Inch corresponds to final print dimension.