Installing AutoTrace

[Bearcat]

I noticed Trace Bitmap only traces edges, resulting in double-lines.  I would like to perform a center-line trace.  So, I downloaded and installed an extension (see: https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace).  However, I understand the extension relies on a second program, called AutoTrace.  So I downloaded AutoTrace (see: https://github.com/autotrace/autotrace).  I read the README, which directed me to the INSTALL file (see:
INSTALL.pdf
(72.24 kB - downloaded 74 times)). 

I'm just a layman, and I did not understand the installation guide.  Could someone please explain it to me?  Preferably with pictures?  I would greatly appreciate it. 

I would trace my images manually, but they tend to be rather large/complex.  This extension would save me a lot of time. 

I use Inkscape 0.92.3.  My computer runs Windows 10. 

(Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place / if this is explained elsewhere - I've spent several days searching for a solution and this is my last hope.) 

Thanks so much!
Bearcat

[brynn]

Welcome to the forum!

You know....I installed that one too.  But I didn't follow the instructions which were included.  I don't remember why, maybe I was just in a hurry and didn't see those instructions.  But anyway, I installed it without that extra file, and it seems to work ok.

I've been looking for some explanation for what that AutoTrace file does, but so far I haven't found anything.  So I can't say what it's purpose is, or guess what I might be missing by not having installed it.  But it does seem to work without it.  Maybe it adds extra features or something?

Oh gosh, those instructions are beyond just using a terminal and codes, I think they are guiding the user to compile it.  That's far beyond my abilities!

[Moini]

How about just following those instructions on the centerline page? (why does nobody ever read installation instructions, even if they've been carefully prepared....)

 

Bildschirmfoto_2019-02-22_00-49-34.png
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https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace

[brynn]

why does nobody ever read installation instructions

Umm, I think he or she IS following the instructions.  But requiring to compile another program excludes most ordinary Inkscape users from using this extension, in my opinion.

Speaking only for myself, I did read the instructions!  Those instructions don't say 'you can install it this way or that way if you want to'.  It doesn't say 'you must install both'.  It doesn't say what Auto Trace is for.  It only gives instructions for installing both, without any indication what the Auto Trace part is for, whether it's optional or whether it's required.

To me, it looks for all the world like the Auto Trace part is required.  It's only because I couldn't figure out how to install the Auto Trace part, and almost on a whim I tried using it without having installed Auto Trace.  To me, there is no way for a user to know whether the Auto Trace part is required or optional or what it's for or what happens if you don't install it.

Are you implying that something in those instructions tells us what Auto Trace is for, and why it's needed or not needed?  "this applications searches there" is the clue?  What the heck does that mean?  Which application searches - the main extension or Auto Trace?  Searches for what, why?  And what does searching have to do with centerline trace?

But for me, the bottom line is that most Inkscape users can't compile any program.  I have no idea how many will think like I did "well maybe it will work without Auto Trace" and try it anyway.  Probably not very many, I would guess.

[Moini]

Of course Autotrace is required. Else the instructions wouldn't ask you to install it.

Aha. Thanks for leaving out the info that:

- the zip file for autotrace was downloaded
- unpacked
- and contained no binaries, different from what the instructions text says.

I assumed it did.

Try one of these instead:
https://github.com/autotrace/autotrace/releases

And maybe ask Jürgen to update his README file.

[Moini]

I just did.
https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace/pull/30

[brynn]

Aha. Thanks for leaving out the info that:

- the zip file for autotrace was downloaded
- unpacked
- and contained no binaries, different from what the instructions text says.

Huh?  I don't even know what a binary is, much less be able to identify whether it exists or not, much less know what to do with it.  I never got past the instructions.

When I read the instructions, and after 3 paragraphs, I don't understand anything, and the first thing I actually understand is:

"The simplest way to compile this package is:"

That's when I give up, because I know for a fact that I can't compile a program, even with "simple" instructions.  So I never even got to the point of downloading the AutoTrace files.

If the author wants to make this extension available for all Inkscape users, he needs to make it so that it doesn't require compiling anything.

Edit
But it does produce results without AutoTrace!

[Moini]

Looks like you have it installed already, Brynn. It is required. The extension won't do anything without it.

[brynn]

Well I have no idea how it became installed.  I don't know how to compile programs.  Possibly there's some other extension which needed it, which gave a non-compiling way to install it?

I see autotrace.exe in my extensions folder, but don't know how it got there.  I've installed so many extensions by now, and since they all just get dumped in there, without organization, I'm not sure how I could figure it out.

You know, I think I did have a different link for the centerline trace extension than the one I have now.  Maybe there's another version of it somewhere?  Or was?  Actually I could have sworn it was once uploaded to the gallery on the website, but I can't find it now.  Maybe it was there once, with an easier way to install auto trace, but has since been removed?

I don't know.  It's a mystery.  If you're able to look back into website records somehow, look and see if there was a centerline trace extension existing around Jan 2018 (that's the date my autotrace was apparently installed).  Although I doubt if that's possible, and it's probably just going to be a mystery.

But Mr. or Ms. Bearcat still needs a way to install it....

Edit
Oohh....I might still have the original download.  Hold on....

[brynn]

Ah-HA!!

Here's the file I downloaded, and it has different instructions.  Maybe this will help?

Umm....it might not actually be the same extension.  This one looks like it's made by someone else?  Hhm, no not made by someone else.  But it references a different auto trace, where you only have to paste the autotrace.exe file in.  You don't have to compile it!

[Moini]

Brynn, the README file link has been fixed (https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace/pull/30). The user can just follow the instructions now: https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace/blob/master/README.md

...

[brynn]

Nice!