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Can I manipulate .png files into vector graphics? Figured I'd ask some of you computer graphics people before even trying, busy today and away from program I need to try.
Thanks
Another question...is a .png file a vector file to start with???
Last edited by TerraDown; 03-24-2016 at 06:22 AM..
I'm semi confused about what you mean. I'll answer both interpretations just in case.
Are you asking if there's a way to manipulate the data inside a .png to be come a vector image?
No. The reason for this is a fundamental difference in how vector graphics and .png (or raster graphics) store images. In a raster image, you have an array of dots, or pixels. Each dot represents a color. When combined and rendered you get the final image.
A vector image on the other hand is a mathematical representation of an image. Due to this, it can be scaled to any size, as the math scales perfectly, and it will retain its quality (short of being too small to print or view on a screen.)
Can I use a program such as Inkscape or Illustrator to convert a raster image to vector?
Yes! But in my experience it doesn't always work very well.
I don't have Illustrator on hand, but I can provide you with the menu option in Inkscape that will trace a bitmap:
Inside Inkscape with the raster image (png) loaded and selected, select the Path option, then Trace Bitmap (or Shift-Alt-B)
Similar steps are used for Illustrator, and I believe this function is a bit more robust as well.
I've done this several times. I use illustrator and simply manually trace the rasterized image (png). Depending on the complexity of the image, I can usually knock it out in anywhere from an hour to a day.
If it's a photo, don't even bother. If it's a graphic, sure.
I've done this several times. I use illustrator and simply manually trace the rasterized image (png). Depending on the complexity of the image, I can usually knock it out in anywhere from an hour to a day.
If it's a photo, don't even bother. If it's a graphic, sure.
A png is not vector.
Using the built in functions to trace bitmaps, I've had varying degrees of success converting photos to vector art. I wouldn't want to even attempt to do so manually though :P
Can I manipulate .png files into vector graphics? Figured I'd ask some of you computer graphics people before even trying, busy today and away from program I need to try.
Thanks
Another question...is a .png file a vector file to start with???
I can give you one example using the photo editor I use (Photoimpact) and this would only apply in specific cases where the image has transparent background. When you open the .png the non transparent part of the image is going to be selected as object, there is option to trace the object to covert to vector. It's hit and miss and usually requires a lot of corrections.
I use this to recreate logos even with a regular image. This started life as .jpg and is now fully rotable 3-D.
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I mostly use Corel to trace bitmaps to vector for use in my CNC laser, but also use an old Adobe product called Streamline, or Illustrator. There are online companies that will trace and cleanup a bitmap for you for $10-25, which may be less than your time is worth for some complicated ones, but I suspect they are done by offshore "artists" making 50 cents an hour.
For black and white clipart, it's pretty easy. With grayscale or colors, it becomes much more time-consuming.
if the original file is a good resolution (say at least 5x7 at 300 dpi) you can get a pretty good conversion in Illustrator, but you are still going to have to do some cleaning up.
I deal with this a lot, where a client tells me to just get it from the web. I usually ask for a vector file, If they can't provide it, I can rebuild it at $120/hour. Kind of funny how they manage to find the vector files.
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