Converting Icons from Raster Format to Vector Format
Bitmap or "raster" graphics are only representations of the shapes they contain. Vector graphics are those shapes comprised of highly malleable strokes and fills. Vector graphics have no real resolution. They can be enlarged and reduced without sacrificing quality. A 16 by 16 pixel icon can be stretched to 400 by 400 and look the same -- only larger. This ability makes the vector format ideal for XP icons intended for high resolution printout.
The Anatomy of a Vector Graphic
Vector graphics or object oriented graphics are comprised of two parts, the stroke and the fill, which allow image quality to survive enlargement and reduction.
Converting Bitmap Images to Vector: The Options
There are several free programs available to convert raster (bitmap) images to the vector format. Some require manual processing while others offer batch conversion. (Many batch conversions can only process black and white, but there are some that can handle 16 million colors.) Free SoftwareThe top free offering to perform these conversions include:
DrawPlus 4
This vector drawing program has some image editing capabilities and has been compared to a "low-end version of Adobe Illustrator." It contains the normal Bezier tools as well as customizable quick shapes for creating commonly used items such as arrows and stars. This application is full of tutorials and wizards to help you with your graphic creations. The main drawback to DrawPlus 4 is that it does not support batch processing of raster to vector.
AutoTrace
AutoTrace is a bitmap to vector conversion program comparable to CorelTrace or Adobe Streamline, which does support black and white batch processing. While the software is easy to use it comes in source code and binaries only making installation quite difficult for anyone without extensive computer knowledge.
WinTopo Raster to Vector Converter
This high quality software to convert tif, jpg, gif, png, and bmp files and scanned images to vector files is the best of the free offerings. The program features one button vectorization and easy batch processing of black and white images. The biggest shortcoming is the lack of support for full color processing.
Retail Software
Paid software options to perform the conversions include:
Corel Draw
Corel Draw Graphics Suite X3 now has a powerful built-in raster to vector trace application built called Power Trace. This option uses full color and supports color blending. Corel Draw will cost you about $380.
Freehand
Freehand has one tracing feature no other programs have; the ability to trace both bitmap and vector images. This application supports up to 256 colors. The software does have a high learning curve for beginners with many parameters to configure. Freehand retails for approximately $400.
Adobe Illustrator
A favorite of the vector graphics applications, Adobe Illustrator is a breeze for the novice and powerful for the advanced illustrator. The program is considered an industry standard and retails for approximately $500.
Converting Bitmap Files to Vector Format with Adobe Illustrator
This is a quick step by step tutorial for converting a bitmap image to a vector graphic using Adobe Illustrator. There is one thing you should know before starting this tutorial; the more complicated the graphic, the more RAM your machine will use. Don't worry; Illustrator will let you know ahead of time if this becomes an issue.
For this tutorial we have created a simple Enter button in Photoshop and saved it as a jpeg. The image is now a bitmap graphic.
There are several options from which to choose, but for this tutorial we will use "Photo High Fidelity." By clicking this option you have already completed the initial trace. The quality isn't exactly right but that is the next adjustment in the process.
The Flexibility of the Vector Format
With vector images, color, size, stroke, fill, and shapes can all be edited. If you want to change the way an icon looks the vector format affords the greatest flexibility whereas working with bitmap icons can be difficult, painstaking, and at times impossible. The degree of flexibility afforded to the designer by the vector format saves time and money and provides the broadest creative range in which to work.
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Bitmap or "raster" graphics are only representations of the shapes they contain. Vector graphics are those shapes comprised of highly malleable strokes and fills. Vector graphics have no real resolution. They can be enlarged and reduced without sacrificing quality. A 16 by 16 pixel icon can be stretched to 400 by 400 and look the same -- only larger. This ability makes the vector format ideal for XP icons intended for high resolution printout.
The Anatomy of a Vector Graphic
Vector graphics or object oriented graphics are comprised of two parts, the stroke and the fill, which allow image quality to survive enlargement and reduction.
- The stroke is simply a container that can either be completely transparent or have a color.
- A fill is the color contained within the stroke. The fill can also be transparent.
Converting Bitmap Images to Vector: The Options
There are several free programs available to convert raster (bitmap) images to the vector format. Some require manual processing while others offer batch conversion. (Many batch conversions can only process black and white, but there are some that can handle 16 million colors.) Free SoftwareThe top free offering to perform these conversions include:
DrawPlus 4
This vector drawing program has some image editing capabilities and has been compared to a "low-end version of Adobe Illustrator." It contains the normal Bezier tools as well as customizable quick shapes for creating commonly used items such as arrows and stars. This application is full of tutorials and wizards to help you with your graphic creations. The main drawback to DrawPlus 4 is that it does not support batch processing of raster to vector.
AutoTrace
AutoTrace is a bitmap to vector conversion program comparable to CorelTrace or Adobe Streamline, which does support black and white batch processing. While the software is easy to use it comes in source code and binaries only making installation quite difficult for anyone without extensive computer knowledge.
WinTopo Raster to Vector Converter
This high quality software to convert tif, jpg, gif, png, and bmp files and scanned images to vector files is the best of the free offerings. The program features one button vectorization and easy batch processing of black and white images. The biggest shortcoming is the lack of support for full color processing.
Retail Software
Paid software options to perform the conversions include:
Corel Draw
Corel Draw Graphics Suite X3 now has a powerful built-in raster to vector trace application built called Power Trace. This option uses full color and supports color blending. Corel Draw will cost you about $380.
Freehand
Freehand has one tracing feature no other programs have; the ability to trace both bitmap and vector images. This application supports up to 256 colors. The software does have a high learning curve for beginners with many parameters to configure. Freehand retails for approximately $400.
Adobe Illustrator
A favorite of the vector graphics applications, Adobe Illustrator is a breeze for the novice and powerful for the advanced illustrator. The program is considered an industry standard and retails for approximately $500.
Converting Bitmap Files to Vector Format with Adobe Illustrator
This is a quick step by step tutorial for converting a bitmap image to a vector graphic using Adobe Illustrator. There is one thing you should know before starting this tutorial; the more complicated the graphic, the more RAM your machine will use. Don't worry; Illustrator will let you know ahead of time if this becomes an issue.
For this tutorial we have created a simple Enter button in Photoshop and saved it as a jpeg. The image is now a bitmap graphic.
- Start Illustrator
- Open the bitmap within Illustrator that you want to convert (file>>open>>browse to image)
- With the selection tool (black arrow) click the image to select it
- Next to the "live trace" button there is a black down arrow or upside-down triangle. Click the arrow to see your tracing options.
There are several options from which to choose, but for this tutorial we will use "Photo High Fidelity." By clicking this option you have already completed the initial trace. The quality isn't exactly right but that is the next adjustment in the process.
- Now we need to adjust the minimum area. This will fine tune the detail within the vector image.
- Move the minimum area slider to "0". Notice the change in detail. The image becomes much more detailed and clearer.
- The last step required will make your vector image fully editable. Click the "Live Paint" button to the right of the minimum area field. This separates the fills and strokes into layers. The new vector image should look almost identical to the bitmap image you started with.
The Flexibility of the Vector Format
With vector images, color, size, stroke, fill, and shapes can all be edited. If you want to change the way an icon looks the vector format affords the greatest flexibility whereas working with bitmap icons can be difficult, painstaking, and at times impossible. The degree of flexibility afforded to the designer by the vector format saves time and money and provides the broadest creative range in which to work.
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