options: can i convert an image form pixels to vector (SVG) - is this possible?

[saint_m]

good day dear experts, hello  dear gimp-cracks!!


well i am currently divin into GIMP - and sometimes i am not sure if the one or other task could be done with the help of Inkscape-tool (too).  I dunno.


that said i have a question - can i work with an image that has (raster=pixels=image) in Inkscape!?


in other words: lets say i have a image that comes from GIMP.  

so i am asking myself at the moment:  can i transform the image form a pixel-based one to a scalable vectors image (inkscape's bread and butter)?

Do you really think that this is possible!?

Well i think that Inkscape is EXCELLENT at working with scalable vectors and mediocre with images. So my question is.

am i able to import into inkscape any pixelbased image!?

a can i turn it into a scalable vector image!?

look forward to any and all idea!?

[mrkid]

Yes, you can TRACE it. Menu>Path>Trace Bitmap. You will found plenty of option there, for color, lines, etc.

[Ofnuts]

(07-30-2025, 11:40 PM)mrkid Wrote: Yes, you can TRACE it. Menu>Path>Trace Bitmap. You will found plenty of option there, for color, lines, etc.

In Inkscape... not in Gimp, of course.

[rich2005]

@saint_m

Gimp will import a svg file but Gimp is strictly bitmap and does not export an svg image.
There is a plugin using autotrace for Gimp 2.10 that works, but the updated Gimp 3 version is Windows only.
see: https://gimpchat.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21642

If you are using linux, and have autotrace installed then just as easy to export an image from Gimp and run autotrace in a terminal.

Using linux there are drag - n - drop possibilities using Inkscape (at least there are here with kubuntu)
60 second demo https://i.imgur.com/fuDMUTc.mp4
With both Gimp and Inkscape open - Drag a layer into inkscape - Trace the image - copy that and paste back into the Gimp path dock.
For an actual svg image, then export that from Inkscape.

[mrkid]

(07-31-2025, 07:48 AM)rich2005 Wrote: @saint_m

Gimp will import a svg file but Gimp is strictly bitmap and does not export an svg image.
There is a plugin using autotrace for Gimp 2.10 that works, but the updated Gimp 3 version is Windows only.
see: https://gimpchat.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21642  

If you are using linux, and have autotrace installed then just as easy to export an image from Gimp and run autotrace in a terminal.

Using linux there are drag - n - drop possibilities using Inkscape (at least there are here with kubuntu)
60 second demo https://i.imgur.com/fuDMUTc.mp4
With both Gimp and Inkscape open  - Drag a layer into inkscape - Trace the image - copy that and paste back into the Gimp path dock.
For an actual svg image, then export that from Inkscape.

Even Gimp is not an svg editor, there are several filters in GMIC that makes it easier to vectorize your image later. Vector painting, vivid Edges, Mighty Details, Ink Wash, are some could help.