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Author Topic: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
chrisb78
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Posts: 26
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Post How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 19:56
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I wanted to ask about your workflows on how to create good vector data - especially when coming from raster images.

I'm currently using Inkscape and it's "Trace Bitmap" tool, but especially when having straight forward lines (as in e.g. a black and white grid), I always end up with double lines.
I watched YouTube videos like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_DrqXkw0Bo and understand the concept of removing double lines - yet i still always end up with them. 😯

I'd be especially interested in creating prints with the aesthetics achieved by kongorilla in his post http://www.polargraph.co.uk/forum/polargraphs-group2/drawing-techniques-forum4/render-3d-meshes-to-svg-using-blender-and-freestyle-thread213/ - how to get there with raster images as sources?

Thanks for all help!
chrisb78
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Posts: 26
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Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 20:32
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I wanted to show what kind of source imagery i'm working from.
I'm really mostly interested in using the Polargraph to render the black lines.

Image
Image

Any help appreciated =)
sandy
Administrator
Posts: 1317
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sandy
Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 20:51
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Very tricky choice of stuff to trace.

Where the automatic tracing works is on images that have lots of squiggles to hide the inaccuracies of the auto tracing procedure. So you get good, representative results from high-detail, high-noise images like photographs.

In low-detail, sparse images like the ones you show, any deviations from the lines stick out like a sore thumb. Sharp linework should be drawn from the source vector graphic - I don't think I'd even bother trying to trace from it, unless you're specifically looking for an interpretation. All Kongorilla's stuff is generated directly as digital vector files, so that's how it's sharp and clean.
chrisb78
Beginner
Posts: 26
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Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 21:23
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I'm actually producing the images in Processing, but didn't find a smart way to export the data as vectors. I can only export as raster images or PDF.

Is there an SVG exporter for Processing you're happy with?
Is there a smart way to convert PDF vectors to SVG vectors?

Alternatively, I'll start exporting DXF to get the data into Blender (didn't use that one before, so shied away from that route previously).

So many things to explore! =)
sandy
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sandy
Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 21:27
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Aha! Inkscape can open PDFs and export as SVGs!
kongorilla
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Posts: 362
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kongorilla
Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 21:33
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For a long time I've been meaning to write a post about using WinTopo for stuff like this. Give it a shot. The output is amazingly good, all things considered.

http://wintopo.com/
(freeware version is fine)

BTW, using Blender to generate SVGs has gotten a lot easier since I wrote the post you mentioned. The Freestyle renderer in Blender now includes its own SVG exporter.
chrisb78
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Posts: 26
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Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 21:42
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whoa, that's awesome. i owe you one! =)
already have it in the controller - curious to see what it will create physically!

i'll still check out blender- always meant to do that anyway..
chrisb78
Beginner
Posts: 26
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Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 21:43
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@kongorilla: thanks, will check it out!
awesome things you've been doing!

chrisb78
Beginner
Posts: 26
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Post Re: How to create good vector data from straight (pixel) lines
on: November 3, 2015, 22:34
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WinTopo works perfectly for thin lined raster images. thanks *a lot*!!
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