We’ll show you how to turn bitmapped photos or images into vector artwork using the Auto Trace command. The Auto Trace feature converts bitmapped pixels into vector paths, allowing you to edit the image using vector tools or simply to create an interesting visual effect.

Our source image is this fine specimen of a pumpkin.

Step 1
Open your image or import it. The Auto Trace feature only works on Vector layers, so we will need to convert our pumpkin layer, using Layers > To Vector Layer.

Step 2
Select the pumpkin image by left clicking. The handle controls and colored border around the layer shows us it is selected.

Step 3
Now we will run the Auto Trace command. From the main menu, select Objects > Image > Auto Trace Image.

This brings up the Image Tracing Options where we can edit the tool’s settings.

We have three options to set.

• No. of Colors: The vector image will be made up of the number of colors set here.
• Pre-filtering: Determines the amount of smoothing that will be applied to the image before it’s converted to paths. The lower the number, the more sharp edges will remain.
• Tightness of fit: This setting determines how close the vector objects will fit to the original image. The higher the setting, the more nodes will be created on the paths.

Choose your desired settings and press OK to begin to trace the image.
Note: The Auto Trace command can produce quite a mass of nodes and vector paths, depending on the complexity of the source image.

*If you plan on editing the vector paths, we suggest using lower tracing settings and a simpler source image.

Step 4 (optional)
Since we are using Auto Trace to produce a graphic effect and won’t be editing the paths, we will convert the layer to a pixel layer. From the main menu, choose Layers > To Pixel Layer.

Here is our final image. You can experiment with the Auto Trace options to produce different effects and textures, or you can use it to convert bitmap images to an editable vector format.