Tracing images - questions

[Dania]

Hi, I love the fact that we can trace images in SCAL, but I have downloaded a few coloring book images, traced them, messed with all the settings and I still end up with way too many connection (nodes) points. I know that I can remove them but it is very time consuming and many overlap. I downloaded INKSCAPE with the same results. I've used photoshop to remove extra lines and connect lines. What am I doing wrong? The tutorials all show such a nice clean image. ?????? Thank you. I just know I'm missing a step.

[gj1]

I am just learning Inkscape and that is not a strong point for me yet. SCAL2 TRACE...just try these settings and see if anything good happens with the colorpage. Just down the line...67,75,99,20.

For most images I like 90, 75 or less, and despeckle around 45, and then the 20 for the last one.

No real understanding for me why these numbers work well...but worth a try. Alway do a re-preview after any changes.

Deleting extra nodes does take some time.

[Dania]

Thank you I'll give it a shot!

[Sweetness4713]

In Inkscape when you do a trace image you another box opens and you can adjust your numbers in there as well...

[mwinkis]

Sometimes to remove the extra nodes just select your object and do a simplify under the path menu. It can greatly reduce the nodes. Not always, and sometimes it can skew your trace, but most of the time works well. It is worth a shot!!

Michelle

[Dania]

Thanks Michelle. I just discovered that and I was coming here to post it. Yes it works better than me trying to remove the nodes myself. Thank you everyone for your help.

[Dania]

I have just been leaving the threshold at 50 and it seems to really clean up the images I have been working without skewing them.

[Sweetness4713]

you can also use the eraser tool to erase extra lines.. I love that little feature

[Florence]

I have scanned a line drawing to my Photoshop, edited it and when I trace into SCAL it comes up with a double line and cuts twice. How can I get it into a single line. I have tried the suggestions and I am stumped. Would appreciate your help

[jasenj1]

I have scanned a line drawing to my Photoshop, edited it and when I trace into SCAL it comes up with a double line and cuts twice. How can I get it into a single line. I have tried the suggestions and I am stumped. Would appreciate your help

1. You can delete the inside lines in SCAL.
2. You may be able to use Photoshop's magic wand tool to select the outlines and then save the paths as SVG - that's how I often do it in GIMP; I'm not sure what formats Photoshop saves paths as these days.

- Jasen.