Tracing bitmaps
Tracing bitmaps is a way of getting a vector format for a raster image automatically. Inkscape comes with a tracing functionality, based on the Potrace™ software utility (http://potrace.sourceforge.net), that scans the image and calculates vector paths that fit the tracing options we have set previously.
In this recipe we will trace an image several times to see what options are available when tracing a bitmap, and compare the results.
How to do it...
The following steps will demonstrate how to trace a bitmap:
1. Import the
Flower.pngimage into the document (Ctrl + I), embedding it.2. Open the Trace Bitmap dialog by going to Path | Trace Bitmap... or by using Shift + Alt + B.
3. Under the Mode tab Single scan: creates a path set Brightness cutoff Threshold: to 0.5 and press the Update button in the Preview pane. Notice you get a black and white preview of the trace where the background is black and the flower is white.
4. Enable the Invert image option and press Update, the...
