Hi, Inkscape is new to me so any help will be much appreciated.

I want to trace an bitmap image of a horse using inkscape so I can cut out the traced image out on mild steel metal using a cnc lazer cutting machine. Every time I trace the image I want to cut out on the lazer machine I loss approximately 45% if the original image detail.

Why could I be losing detail from the image?


Thanks Jonboy.

Probably because the settings for the 'trace bitmap' feature aren't optimal, and because the image is too small.

Try the 'Trace bitmap' tutorial to gain some understanding about the available options (Help > Tutorials > Inkscape: Tracing)

Fiddling with the trace options can improve things. But sometimes you can't get an autotrace in Inkscape, (or any program,) to produce exactly what you need. Those times, its time to manually trace using the pen tools, (bezier is my goto one.) If you posted or linked to the image, maybe we could say more.

Yes I would say the original image has been too small from the start. I will also read the tutorial you suggested.
Thanks

I will check out the tutorial s and bezier pen tool.
Thanks

There's some information about manual tracing in my tutorial series (in this case a logo and a cartoon sketch, but the tools are the same). Parts 16-18 or thereabouts:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11981

Thanks for the info everyone! Very much appreciated!

Even with the most optimal settings, if the original raster image is a photo, there's a good chance the trace will not have as much detail. Trace Bitmap is just not designed to perfectly reproduce any photo.

As far as I understand, Adobe Illustrator has some kind of trace engine which gives phenomenal results (although of course it also has a phenomenal price). Hhm...I think it has a free trial...but whether the trial includes that tracer, is another question.

But getting back to Inkscape. If you need more detail than what Trace Bitmap can give, another option would be to "manually" trace the image with the Pen/Bezier tool http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL ... ths-Bezier

Thanks Bryn for the info! Much appreciated!