How to Vectorize for Vinyl Cutting

Rasterized graphics are made from hundreds of pixels, vectorization aims to convert these pixels to lines.

Computer graphics can be represented in two different ways, either as rasterized images or as vectorized images. Rasterized images are the most popular format and account for most of the images found on the Internet. By using a pixelated grid, rasterized images represent a picture pixel by pixel. This is useful for reproducing photo-realistic images, but it is not suitable for computer aided manufacturing equipment such as vinyl cutters. Vinyl cutters need vectorized images which are composed of lines, rather than pixels. By using vectors, the vinyl cutter software is able to translate this data into physical movements of the tool head. Vectorization is the process of turning a pixelated rasterized image into one composed of vectors.

Things You'll Need

• Rasterized image
• Inkscape vector editing software

Instructions

Vectorizing Using Inkscape

1. Download and install Inkscape. Inkscape is Open Source software and can be installed without charge.

2. Open the rasterized image in Inkscape. This can be done by accessing the "File" menu and choosing "Open." Rasterized graphics can take the form of .bmp, which is a lossy format or as a lossless .png or .tiff.

3. Click on the image to select it. Choose "Trace Bitmap" from the "Path" menu. This will open a dialog window.

4. Adjust the "Brightness Cutoff" slider to make the image as clear as possible. If this slider is set too low, the resulting image may not be detailed enough. If the slider is set too high, the complexity of the image will be impossible to vinyl cut. Click "OK" after you adjust your image.

5. Click on the image and drag it to the side. This will reveal two images, the original bitmap and the new vectorized graphic. Select and delete the bitmap by pressing the backspace key or by choosing "Delete" from the "Edit" menu.

6. Save the image in an appropriate format for your particular vinyl cutter. Most vinyl cutters use .eps files, however, some use .svg. Consult the machine's documentation if unsure which file format to use.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, use a lossless file format as your source rasterized image.

References

• Vector Magic: Guide to Bitmaps
• Inkscape