Hello folks,
I am a brand new Inkscape user. Using the manual I am finding my way around, but...
I have been practicing by importing a model airplane plan. I can do all of the normal operations, (trace, move, duplicate, change layer, draw new lines, etc). I tried another plan and it wouldn't trace. When I select the entire plan, the notification bar says "Group of 1 object in layer Layer 1".
So I tried to 'trace bitmap'. The 'trace bitmap' dialog box opens but there is no 'preview' picture like there was in the other plan which worked just fine. Neither UPDATE nor OK works. Just like they are "disconnected control buttons". Any help out there for what it is I am not understanding?

I am using Win7 PRO and Inkscape Ver. 0.91 64 bit.

TIA,
Chris

"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!"

I'd ungroup the object and see if the status bar reports selecting one image, then try to trace.

(Often when importing PDF or certain other formats, the content will be in a group.)

Or possibly you selected something you already traced. Trace Bitmap groups the results.

It`s a known issue/bug/glitch.. in 0.48.5 (and maybe in previous ones). Trace panel works just for the first trace and than goes dull. Restarting Inkscape will solve the thing, while I`m not sure abut the 0.91.
Perhaps to check bug reports and than apply the line from your signature? ,)

Hey guys,
Thanks a lot for the tips.

> Tyler
I tried the file I was *really* wanting to use. Imported and then tried ungrouping the image. Didn't work. Finally I just kept trying. It took 3 *ungroup* commands to get to the point that the status bar reported "Image 16263 x 11610: embedded in layer LAYER 1". I am assuming that would be pixels. (I'm still learning) In any case the solution was multiple ungroups. It finally bit-traced.

> Brynn
See reply to Tyler.
I didn't have to do "break apart" nor "object to path". After bit tracing I could select even a speckle, delete paths, change path attributes, etc.
I think I'm good to go.

> Maestral
I tried looking up any bug reports concerning the trace panel going dull or just not working. (I'm using 0.91) Didn't find anything. In my trying to find out what was really happening, I did, however, inadvertently "sign" my work. It crashed Win7. (I can break anything). It seems to be tracing reliably now.

All of this raster to vector conversion is new to me. The files of 3-5 MB take a while to work. I just have to get used to that. I am patient if I know what is happening.

Thanks again guys,
oldfox

"if it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!"