Inkscape Tracing Bitmap without Preview: A Frustrating Experience

When trying to create a sharp, freely scalable vector image using Inkscape's Path > Trace Bitmap feature, I encountered an unexpected issue that has left me wondering if it's a bug or a limitation. The problem arises when attempting to trace a complex bitmap image with smooth color gradients.

To illustrate the challenge, let's consider an example. A PNG image of a smiling face with a halo emoji was used as the source file. The original outline is relatively simple, but the coloring is where things get complicated. When tracing this image using Path > Trace Bitmap in Inkscape 0.92 (on Ubuntu 18.04), I expected to see a seamless vector representation. However, the result was far from ideal.

The final trace appeared rough and lacked the smooth color transitions that were present in the original bitmap. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that the tracing process does not detect gradient parameters, making it difficult to achieve an accurate representation of the image.

Upon further investigation, I discovered that the preview provided by Inkscape's Path > Trace Bitmap feature looks perfect, with smooth color gradients and no outline artifacts. This raises questions about whether this is a bug or simply a limitation in the tracing algorithm. It's possible that there may be a quick fix available to improve the final trace result.

To demonstrate the issue, I have provided a link to the final trace result (please download and open in your browser, as the drive preview may not accurately reflect the image). Comparing this with the preview provided by Inkscape highlights the discrepancy between the expected and actual outcomes. The preview appears smooth and continuous, whereas the final trace has outline artifacts that interrupt the color gradients.

In conclusion, tracing a complex bitmap image using Inkscape's Path > Trace Bitmap feature can be a frustrating experience. While the preview may look perfect, the final result often falls short of expectations.

Inkscape trace bitmap no preview