In the early days of desktop publishing (1985-1990) I was fascinated with Adobe Illustrator and some AutoCad utilities that could convert bitmap work and particular technical photographs into quality line drawings.

Vectorization — known by many in the publishing, GIS and graphic design industries — allows a bitmap image, generally from a scanner or other equipment for acquiring digital input, to get converted into a more manageable, flexible, light and editable vector format.

Bitmap images are made of a series of dots or pixels.

Vector images are made of mathematical formulas.

Bitpap images are usually:
a) large in size
b) very hard to edit
c) difficult and slow to manage
d) jagged looking

Conversely, vector images are typically:
a) small in size
b) editable
c) resizable without losing quality
d) easy and fast to manage

Therefore, as you can clearly see, there are several advantages in having high quality vector illustrations and maps for all needed references for certain applications like technical documentation. This guarantees great savings and the ability to easily edit, update and change many visual references that are part of critical technical documents. About.com Understanding Bitmaps and Vectors provides resources on the topic.

In 1989, I had to create technical illustrations for airplane operating manuals with professionally drawn outline parts and sections of the aircraft that had parts that may have needed changes or maintenance. The technique involved shooting the best quality black and white photograph of the actual aircraft and its different parts. During the shoot, we made sure we had a strong sharp contrast in our images and we used selected film for this purpose. Once the photographs were developed and printed (we had no digital cameras at that time), we scanned the images into a computer, and then manipulated the contrast and brightness of the image that gave us the "essence" of what was actually there.

At this point we would start auto-tracing, initially with Adobe Illustrator's limited functionality and later with more automatic and sophisticated tools like Adobe Streamline that's no longer produced and has been replaced with Live Trace [pdf file]

Once done, a capable technical illustrator would clean-up and refine the newly created Illustrator vector files until they were perfect.

As I became more familiar with the technique and the available tools, I realized how much potential was available for businesses living on paper-based visual references that had no digital counterpart, costing them a lot of money for updating and changing the contained information.

Later, I successfully experimented converting airplane landing maps, which, in 1989, were still largely paper-based and uneditable on any digital computerized system.

Bitmap to vector conversion is a difficult, highly technical and time-consuming task. There is no program or utility which can vectorize the image you have into a perfect one because the software doesn't know what you need.

This is why bitmap to vector conversion work requires dedicated time, patience and several trial and error sessions to fine tune the best procedure and workflow to adopt for your assignment.

Here is a regularly updated and comprehensive resource list that you can use to support and speed up your conversion of bitmap artwork into quality vector drawings:

Note: Most software products listed here have trial versions available. Check the company's Web site for information.

Illustrator CS2 Tracing tutorials
This is a tutorial where you learn how to create those nice looking traced images like the one to your right. While a lot of software is available that does this work for you — such as Flash with its bitmap tracing option — I'm sure you agree with me that there's nothing like the real thing baby, so let's get on with it and get some skills.
http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/...
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/...

Illustrator How-To: Turn Bitmap Images into Vector Art
Transforming the jagged edges of raster images into the smooth curves of vector art isn't hard to do using Adobe Illustrator's Live Trace feature in Creative Suite 2. But the end result can look simplistic. For more sophisticated images, you'll need additional help from Illustrator's path-editing tools and from your image editing application. Here's what you need to do.
http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/... (older versions of Illustrator)
http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/illustrator/... [pdf file]

CorelDRAW
This application needs no introduction as CorelDRAW has been around for many years. The CorelDRAW DESIGNER Technical Suite 12 consists of illustration and layout tools for creating and editing high-end graphics and documentation. The suite includes Corel DESIGNER 12, Corel PHOTO-PAINT 12, CorelTRACE and Corel CAPTURE. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3, built on Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite 12, only includes PowerTRACE for bitmap-to-vector tracing and and PHOTO-PAINT for photo-editing.
Price: USD $699 (CorelDESIGNER Technical Suite 12), USD $399 (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3)
http://www.corel.com/

TraceIt Bitmap Tracer
TraceIT is a program for raster to vector conversion. Based on original algorithms, TraceIT provides the maximum speed for bitmap tracing. It can operate with a wide range of raster formats including almost every bitmap type such as BMP, GIF, TIF, JPG and PSD. In addition to standard bitmap images, TraceIT can trace video files in AVI, MOV or MPEG formats. The program can extract some exact frames from a video file, trace a range of frames or a whole file. Requires license file from company to work. Price: USD $595 if you do not have an LD2000 system. You can get LD2000 Intro system for less than $2000, which comes with show creation tools, over 60 laser shows and over 100,000 clipart laser frames. TraceIT is free if you are a user of LD2000 software.
http://www.pangolin.com/LA_Studio/TraceIT.htm

RasterVect - Raster to Vector Conversion
The purpose of RasterVect is to quickly convert uneditable scanned paper drawings into accurate vector files for editing (such as a CAD drawing) in any CAD program. It saves the converted file as one of vector formats: DXF, WMF, EMF, EPS or AI that any CAD program that supports these formats, including AutoCAD R14, 2000, LT and similar programs like Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, Microstation, VectorWorks, TrueCAD, FastCAD and many others can read. Price: USD $79.95
http://www.rastervect.com/home.htm

Vector Eye - The easiest way to convert images to line art
Faster than a tracing hand, this powerful software is the raster to vector converter for Illustrator (Adobe), CorelDraw (Corel), Flash (Macromedia), WebDraw (Jasc), Sodipodi (freeware) and any vector-based software. Vector Eye instantly converts scanned black-and-white or color raster images (bmp, jpg, tiff, png) into editable vector files (.svg, .ps, .eps). Just scan any sketch or select an image (or a sequence) in an AVI movie. Make bitmap adjustments (scale, select zone, enhance, swap colors, rotate...) and Vector Eye automatically creates multiple SVG files corresponding to different settings. You can analyze and modify until you get the results you want (quality, weight, number of vectors). Price: USD/Eur $25/€19 (basic), $51/€39 (classic), $64/€49 (Pro)
http://www.siame.com/

Freehand Autotrace for Beginners
The FreeHand Autotrace tool converts bitmap objects into vector paths. FreeHand can also autotrace other vector objects which may already be on the page. Before FreeHand 7, the Autotrace tool was useful for converting only the most basic scans into vector Bezier curve art. However, in FreeHand 7, the Autotrace tool got a completely make over into a more powerful tool.
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase...
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase...

Silhouette (previously known as Artline)
Silhouette provides quick tracing and a number of tools for tweaking your vectorized image, but don't start requesting only bitmap files from your clients just yet. FreeSoft has made its name in the sign-making industry with its FreeSign program for creating the quick signs you see at many "signs-in-a-hurry" places. The machines that create those signs require vector images to complete the cuts, so it's easy to see how that could lead to a demand for a product like Silhouette. Silhouette is a plug in for Adobe Illustrator 8 and later to convert bitmap images to vectors images with unique correction tools. It instantly converts black and white or color bitmap images into vector designs ready for use. Price: USD $192 / EUR 149 (Lite), USD $386 / EUR 299 (Pro) and USD $321 / EUR 249 (plugin)
http://www.silhouetteonline.com/silhouette/download.php3

Vextractor
Vextractor is a tool for transforming raster images into vector formats by building centerlines and outlines. This vector tool could be used for vectorizing charts, maps, schemes and other similar images for entering into CAD and GIS systems. An application has the option to set up a reference for images, in other words, to assign real coordinates to certain raster points. Thus, you get vector data not only in the raster coordinates, but also in the real geographical coordinates or in the chart coordinates. Price: USD $99 (volume licensing available).
http://www.vextrasoft.com/

Traceline
Traceline changes scanned or imported bitmap images to editable outlines (line art) that can be exported or pasted to other programs. This powerful app allows you to convert company logos, hand-drawn graphics, cartoons and photos to editable, scalable outlines. It can import an impressive number of raster formats. Use Traceline's intuitive editing tools to "tweak" your outlines for ideal results. You can quickly switch between the Object Editor, the Node Editor and Freehand Drawing. The program's vectorized output can be used in sign making, engraving, routing, animations, graphic design, and desktop publishing — or in any program that accepts .wmf, .emf, or Adobe Illustrator files. Price: USD $79.95
http://www.wissenuk.com/products/traceline.htm

AutoTrace - converts bitmap to vector graphics
The AutoTrace project aims to develop an open source, freely available (under GNU GPL terms) application with functionality similar to CorelTrace or Adobe's defunct Streamline. AutoTrace currently comes with source code and binaries — you have to compile the package for other platforms. After downloading the archive, unpack the distribution and use "make" to compile it. Here are some supported input formats: BMP, TGA, PNM, PPM, PGM, PBM and those supported by ImageMagick. Support export formats include Postscript, svg, xfig, swf, pstoedit, emf, dxf, cgm, mif, p2e and sk. Price: Open source (free)
http://autotrace.sourceforge.net/

EasyTrace PRO
This is a professional raster-to-vector conversion software that can do cartographic data management tasks. Its semi-automatic tool lets the user to take a map apart, process it and assemble it again. Price: Easy Trace for DOS is available free. EasyTrace Pro for Windows: EUR 999 (499 Euro for educational institutions).
http://www.easytrace.com/

How do the Trace Bitmap Settings in Macromedia Flash Work?
The settings in the Trace Bitmap dialog box are touched on briefly in the Macromedia Flash manual, but this TechNote provides a more thorough explanation of these features.
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase...

ImpressionX
ImpressionX supports many popular formats including bmp, jpeg, tiff and pcx. It converts bitmaps to vector files and can create stencils and masks for airbrush friskets, printing techniques and other techniques. Price: USD $39.95.
http://www.impressionx.com/ (under renovation)

Turning bitmaps into vector graphics with Flash
Old article showcases a Flash 3 function called Trace Bitmap that works better than anything else in turning PICTs, TIFFs, JPEGs, BMPs, and even WMFs into vector graphics.
http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/2375.html

Acme TraceArt
TraceART is a professional raster-to-vector conversion program. It lets you quickly convert uneditable scanned paper drawings into accurate vector files for editing in any CAD program. It saves the converted file as an industry standard DXF file (Data Exchange Format) that any CAD program supporting this format can read. TraceART is a direct replacement for traditional tracing and digitizing. Price: USD $79.50
http://www.freefirestudio.com/traceart.htm


R2V Raster to Vector Conversion Toolkit
This software converts architect, mechanical and various technical drawings, maps and other types of line artwork including black and white graphics for books and journals from raster to vector formats. This means that a paper drawing can be scanned, line artwork automatically recognized and represented in a vector format that you can import to your CAD or drawing program. The company also has AlgoLab Photo Vector, which converts images into a vector image. Price: USD $99 (R2V), $58 (Photo Vector)
http://www.algolab.com/r2v.htm

potrace
potrace is a utility for tracing a bitmap, which means transforming a bitmap into a smooth, scalable image. The input is a bitmap (PBM, PGM, PPM, or BMP format), and the default output is an encapsulated PostScript file (EPS). A typical use is to create EPS files from scanned data, such as company or university logos and handwritten notes. The resulting image is smooth instead of "jaggy" like a bitmap. Then, it can be rendered at any resolution. Its output formats include EPS, PostScript, PDF, SVG (scalable vector graphics), Xfig, Gimppath, and PGM (for easy antialiasing). Additional backends might be added in the future. This is open source (free) software distributed under the GNU GPL terms. Price: Open source (free)
http://potrace.sourceforge.net/

Imagaro Z
Imagaro Z is an auto tracing and typeface identification application. It's available for Macintosh OS 10.2 and 10.3 and Windows 98 or higher. The program creates vector graphics from bitmap files or scanned objects. Price: USD $690
http://graphicalsystemsusa.com/t-imagaro_z.aspx

HiJaak
Graphics utility that comes with the ability to improve the quality of converted graphics through its raster, vector and 3D engines. Price: USD $89.95 (Standard), $119.95 (Pro)
http://www.hallogram.com/hijaakpro/

Xara Bitmap Tracer
The first article explains why a user shouldn't use the Bitmap Tracer and shows another way to make a vector copy of a logo using trace. The second article traces a vector object from a bitmap and walks through the process of tracing the bitmap for better results.
http://www.xaraxone.com/...
http://www.xaraxone.com/...

Convert bitmap to vector - Asylum FAQ
Explains converting bitmap images into vector graphics.
http://www.ozoneasylum.com/5794

Turn a bitmap into line art or stencil with Photoshop CS
Question and answer regarding how to turn bitmap drawings into line art or line art into stencils.
http://photoshop911.typepad.com/help/...

Autotracing tips
If you decide to autotrace, even if you know the angels will weep for you, remember these four tips.
http://briem.ismennt.is/2/2.3.2a/2.3.2.03.auto.tips.htm

Tracing in CorelDRAW
The first two articles show how to use CorelTRACE feature in CorelDRAW 9 (should work with later versions, too). The second article shows how to scan and trace with CorelDRAW 12, but it works with versions 7 to 12.
http://www.summadirect.com/tips/tip7.html
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/...
http://www.asigns.com/tips/tracing_in_corel.htm

MagicTracer
MagicTracer is a raster-to-vector conversion program that combines raster and vector mode into a workflow through its workspace. It automatically converts bitmaps to vector drawings. All CAD programs can edit the converted vector drawings. MagicTracer exports the generated vector data to the universal DXF. It also exports vectors to DesignCAD drawing files. MagicTracer's raster-to-vector conversion works on most images, including BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, and TIFF images. Price: USD $59.95 with volume pricing available.
http://www.magictracer.com/

Canvas X
Canvas X is a graphics and illustrations management program that can import over 80 file formats including Bitmap (BMP). It comes with an Auto Trace command for creating vector objects from an image. Canvas X traces any channel of an image and is available when a paint object is selected (not in edit mode). When Canvas X auto-traces a channel, it leaves the original image unchanged and applies the current stroke to the resulting vector objects. When the tracing is complete, you can move the vector objects away from the image. Also available for Macs. Price: USD $349.99; upgrades depend on existing product and platform.
http://www.acdamerica.com/

VPHybridCAD
VPHybridCAD is a CAD editing tool with conversion capabilities for raster and vector data. The program has a vectorization wizard for selecting and defining vectorization parameters. It comes with trace functions that allow interactive raster-to-vector conversion. It also has automatic raster-to-vector conversion, which combines raster thinning and entity post processing in one operation. The vectorization process converts the active color (any type of raster data including black and white, grayscale, or color to be converted into vectors) of a raster file to vectors. Price requires contacting sales.
http://www.softelec.com/

R2V
R2V from Able Software Corp. is a raster-to-vector conversion software for automated map digitizing, GIS data capture and CAD conversion applications. It supports automatic vectorization and interactive line tracing from scanned maps and drawings. R2V imports bi-level, grayscale and color images in TIFF, GeoTIFF, GIF, JPEG, RLC, PNG or BMP formats. It exports vector data to ArcView Shapefiles, Arc/Info Generate, MapInfo MIF/MID, AutoCAD DXF, IGES, STL, VRML, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) and MapGuide SDL formats. R2V supports three types of vectorization: full automatic, interactive line tracking and manual on-screen heads-up digitizing. Price USD $1,495 (see price list for various options)
http://www.ablesw.com/r2v/

WinTopo Freeware
WinTopo Freeware is a solution for users who want to do small volumes of raster-to-vector conversion while WinTopo Pro is for those who need a more advanced tool with more features. WinTopo Freeware can import raster files, do raster thinning or edge detection, vectorize the thinned raster to single color vectors, view the vectors overlaying the raster, scale the vector drawing and export the vector to other formats. Here is a comparison of features between free and Pro versions. Price: for Pro: USD $360 / EUR 285 (volume licensing available).
http://www.wintopo.com/

Sythetik Studio Artist
Studio Artist is a Mac-based (8.6 or higher) software tool that can automatically paint, draw and auto-rotoscope by examining a source image or video and then rendering it in the style you want. It has resolution independent raster painting with vector editing capabilities. The program's vectorizer is an artistic raster image to vector region converter. Price: USD $379
http://www.synthetik.com/

Segmation
This Photoshop plug-in converts Photshop images into line art, vectors, contours, patterns, patterns and more. Apply within Photoshop or save outlines and colors in EPS for Illustrator or Freehand. Works with Win 95/98 and NT. Doesn't mention XP. Price: USD $129
http://www.xaostools.com/products/segmain.html

Trix TracTrix
TracTrix software from Trix Systems provides automatic raster to vector conversion with output as DWG, DXF, HPGL, EPS (AI88) and IGES formats. Designed for use in CAD, CNC and technical publications it comes in two versions with prices starting at $695.
http://www.trixsystems.com/raster-to-vector-conversion-software.html

Convert Bitmaps to Vector Art in a Flash
This tutorial shows you how to convert a bitmap into a clean vector graphic using Flash's trace bitmap feature. If you want to create a vector graphic that looks like a bitmap, you might want to use the original bitmap because the file sizes are typically smaller and more detailed. On the other hand, if you want to create a graphic that can be edited, animated or if you want to create a unique graphic the 'Trace Bitmap' command works well and the process is easy.
http://www.ipowerweb.com/build/software/flash/bit_to_vic/10025.htm

Real-DRAW
Real-DRAW is a drawing application that combines vector, 2D, 3D and bitmap editing. Any object you create is always editable. You can change shapes, group objects, move them in layers, resize, edit envelopes and so on. You can paint directly onto any vector object using airbrushes, 3D or Artistic brushes and special Image Nozzles. You can paint on the canvas and the strokes will become another object to which you can apply effects, just as with vector objects. Real-DRAW works with Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP. Price: USD $60; upgrade info here.
http://www.mediachance.com/realdraw/index.html

Xara Xtreme
Xara Xtreme, a graphics software for drawing and editing photos, comes with a bitmap tracer for converting bitmaps. The application provides control over the number of colors, fidelity of the trace to the original and a noise cleaner. See the list of features. Price: USD $79
http://www.xara.com/products/xtreme/

Raster to Vector
Raster to Vector converts scanned drawings, maps and raster images into vector files for editing in any CAD application. The application comes with raster tracing, automatic correction and more. Price: USD $99 and volume licensing available.
http://www.raster-vector.com/

LogoSpruce
LogoSpruce is a plug-in for Adobe Illustrator that tidies logos and scanned artwork with drawing and trimming tools. The Auto-Guides allow LogoSpruce to automatically identify endpoints, midpoints and tangent lines. The plug-in contains raster rotation, path conversion and move to align tools. Available for Mac and Windows. Price: USD $199.
http://www.comnet-network.co.jp/eng/product/elogospruce.html

LineTracer
LineTracer is an open source software tool for converting scanned hand-drawn sketches to vector format. The software exports to EPS, which means the output can be used by almost any program. The application is GUI-based and runs on Windows. LineTracer works best with images that have 200-300 DPI (dots per inch). Price: Free
http://linetracer.sourceforge.net/

Boris Red 4
Boris Red integrates 2D and 3D compositing, sophisticated titling, paint, rotoscoping, a suite of tools to create and extrude vector objects, 3D creation and animation. The Vector Trace tool enables the conversion from a raster bitmap image such as a tiff, jpeg or a frame from a movie file to a scalable vector graphic with the ability to extrude any of the resulting vector shapes. Images are converted into vector by selecting the Vector Trace tool and then dragging the tool over the image to be converted. Options for this function include the ability to select the color or alpha channel with which to base the conversion. Red works with Win XP and Mac OS X. Price: USD $295 for upgrades; $795 for Boris users; and $995 for the full version.
http://www.borisfx.com/products/red4/

Inkscape
Inkscape is an open source vector graphics editor that is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. Inkscape imports and works with many common graphics formats including JPEG, PNG and TIFF. Inkscape can export images as PNG and other vector-based graphics formats. If you use Inkscape with GIMP, the open source graphics editor, you can get the same capabilities found in their high-priced counterparts.

Inkscape uses the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. Supported SVG features include shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns and grouping. Inkscape also supports Creative Commons meta-data, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap tracing, text-on-path, flowed text, direct XML editing and more. Price: Free.
http://www.inkscape.org/

I hope this is a useful and lasting reference for anyone needing to do effective bitmap to vector tracing. More applications are coming. In the meantime, if you know of others, please leave a comment.

Updated: January 26, 2007