Raster to Vector Conversion (Vectorization) Softwares

Raster to Vector Conversion is known as Vectorization or Image Tracing. Here is a list of Raster to Vector Conversion Softwares. You will notice that, on various leaflets, handbooks, product inserts kind of hand drawn looking bitmap images are use – for example, inside a box package of a mouse, there can be images on how to open the battery compartment and insert the batteries. Mostly they look like line diagrams. In most cases, they are not hand drawn but are converted from a photograph – this process is known as Vectorization or Image Tracing.

Usages of Raster to Vector Conversion (Vectorization) Softwares

Raster to Vector Conversion Softwares are quite frequently used in the product packaging industry, like for the need we provided the example situation above. They usually uses commercial paid softwares and graphic designers as man power. In computer-aided design (CAD) drawings (like for blueprints) are scanned, vectorized and written as CAD files in a process called paper-to-CAD conversion. Vectorization is often the first step in OCR solutions for handwritten text or signatures. Vectorization itself is not well defined, there is no single method. Many methods and algorithms can be used for Raster to Vector Conversion, within a software, like Edge Detection.

Raster to Vector Conversion (Vectorization) Softwares

Now, we are coming to the practical part, that is the softwares for Raster to Vector Conversion. Adobe Streamline, Adobe Illustrator are usually the commercial, professional grade softwares for Vector works. Adobe Illustrator is usually used for the purpose. Adobe Photoshop is a software for Raster images, but some basic works can be done in the context of Raster to Vector Conversion. Both Mac (OS X) and Microsoft Windows are supported by all the Adobe professional softwares. Apart from Adobe, AutoDesk also has good number of solutions.

In the article Needed Softwares for Handwritten Fonts and Design, we talked about iDraw (only for OS X, iOS). iDraw itself can not convert anything but if the person knows drawing and have a graphics tablet (search on our website for many cheaper ideas) and the need is lower in number, a kind of tracing can be done as iDraw supports layers. Practically the Pen tool can be used in the same way for Adobe Photoshop. As these are artistic works, who is doing it, matters much.

Ordinary users (not to offend – ordinary means, who can not hand draw nicely) usually seeks Raster to Vector Conversion (Vectorization) Softwares for automation – the algorithm comes in to play in this case. Usually the user looks for some free option.

Vector Magic is not free bit low cost software for Microsoft Windows :

For Mac users, the online tool works great for limited works. AutoTrace is a very good free software :

The great thing is that, it has distro for rpm based Linux. InkScape is fully Free Software and ready to install for Mac, Windows and Linux :

Potrace converts bitmap to vector graphics, DrawBerry is a vector tool for Mac, Cenon has Free solution for any platform :

There are some free online tools like :

This is what we know about Raster to Vector Conversion. Anything more to add?