Raster into Vector images
History:
Let's start with the idea of raster graphics since we'll be doing the conversion from there. Raster images are simply the type of images that make up standard photographs from digital cameras. Rasters have dots on the screen called pixels that make up their composition. Pixel stands for Picture-Element or the smallest part of a common computer display. These dot-like pixels get blurry when they are blown up past their intended resolution.
1) Go straight to WinTopo tutorial
2) Go straight to ImpressionX tutorial
A raster photograph is my original.
On the other hand, vector graphics are sometimes called geometric modeling and sometimes even referred to as object-oriented graphics. Vectors are shapes using points, lines, curves, and polygons. They are all stored as mathematical equations. They still represent images in computer graphics but their appearance and strengths are different. Vectors are what this tutorial is all about. Vectors are seen all the time in the form of map layers and technical line drawing such as schematics and other illustrations.
Vector image on the left of these two images was created with ImpressionX.
Don't let complicated talk keep you from understanding why you really need vector graphics in different circumstances. When it comes to company logos, patches, clip art, and anything needing different sizes, then vector graphics is the way to go. By changing a standard photo into a vector graphic you can create some very useful line-art or artsy posterized images too.
An original Raster image from a fractal design pattern I created.
Vector image created in WinTopo that traces the original image.
A vector image is entirely different than raster. Instead of being described by dots or pixels in the computer, the Vector is described by mathematics. You have seen this if you've ever used clip art in MS-Power Point software. You may have noticed how clean the edges of the graphics in Power Point clip art appear. When you try to enlarge an image from really small to really large the vector image will still look the exact same. The raster image will have jagged edges all around or start to look blurry. So now when you hear the term vector graphics you will know that it is mainly used with regards to computer graphics. It is one of several modes an artist can use to create an image on a raster computer display.
Maybe equally important, the second advantage of vector graphics is the small amount of information needed to explain the shapes in a graphic. That translates to a much smaller file size compared to large raster images. Like a lot of clip art you may have noticed that vector graphics with a small file size will lack detail compared with a real world photo. However, vectors have their own strengths. The small file size becomes important when many layers of vector graphics present information. On maps a city planner could put an entire layer of all the waste-water systems. The next vector layer might be the power grid. The next vector layer might be all the street names and emergency evacuation routes. This goes on and on. A great deal of space is saved versus having an entire city image for each layer. So vector graphics will keep increasing in popularity with time. Layering information on maps and aerial imagery is becoming increasingly important as our cities become more complex.
My Venus statue head traced on the left with WinTopo.
Conversion considerations:
Vector type formats are many. Outputs include encapsulated post script (EPS), Photoshop file (PSD), Drafting format (DXF), or Windows Metafile (WMF). The format DXF is a great output. DXF is a model format able to be imported into AutoCAD or any computer rendering program. I personally like the WMF because I can then take it into Power Point (PPT) and change or dissect it. Once inside PPT you can ungroup the image like you usually do to PPT objects or clip art. Then you can move the individual colors and pieces around like a jigsaw puzzle. This assumes of course that the objects in the vector are saved out in shapes you wanted. If you can't ungroup a metafile or vector then the program probably didn't save it as you expected. Take a look at the ImpressionX tutorial to see what I mean about ungrouping.
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Click here to Download WinTopo Freeware v1.5 by SoftSoft
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This is a free and highly capable piece of software which produces good results. WinTopo converts your images with a One-Touch Vectorisation button. WinTopo creates a black-and-white line-art product for the final output as shown below. When creating a WMF output WinTopo will do this in long strips which are vector objects. However, you cannot ungroup the objects in PowerPoint except to get many long strips. So the jigsaw results mentioned don't work the same with WinTopo as with other vector programs. You can however, take the line-art created and use it for terrific technical drawings, illustrations, or clipart.
1) Download WinTopo. There are two files named setup after you extract WinTopo from this site. Choose the one that says Application in the program type of your windows explorer. After install there are two icons on your desktop. Both seem to work.
2) When you start WinTopo first load an image. If you can't figure out how to load an image step away from the computer slowly and donate it to your local charity. I'm kidding. The truth is that large images fail in WinTopo for whatever reason. I put in an 8 mega-pixel image and it traced fine. But when I saved it there was nothing on the hard drive. Reduce the size of your input image if you have problems.
3) Go to the icon on the farthest right. It is titled Set One-Touch Vectorisation Options and looks like cogs and wheels. In this box change the radio button to Edge detection -> Canny. This will assure a better trace than the default.
4) Push the icon second to the right that reads Set One-Touch Vectorisation. It looks like a pointing hand.
5) Go up to the menu VIEW and turn off the show raster image. This will allow you to see how well WinTopo has traced your image in a green outline. The saved output appears as black-outline and not green outline by the way. So don't worry about this.
6) Next move the mouse to the File menu and choose Save Vector As. Choose WMF or whatever your project requires. There are two save as options so make sure you get the right one if you want vector.
-- Congrats on making a vector image!
Close-up of the Vector image created with WinTopo
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Tutorial: Click here for my tutorial on ImpressionX >>>>>
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Vector image on the left of these two was created with ImpressionX.
Written March08 and Updated Jul09 by Tracy Rose