How to use Inkscape Trace Bitmap step by step
- Import the image: File → Import (Ctrl+I), choose your PNG or JPG and select Embed.
- Select it and open Path → Trace Bitmap (Shift+Alt+B).
- Choose a mode: Single scan for one-color results, or Multiple scans for color logos.
- Adjust options (see the table below) and click Update to preview.
- Click Apply. The vector is placed exactly on top of the original image.
- Move the vector aside and delete the original bitmap underneath.
- Save as SVG, or export to PDF, EPS or DXF via File → Save As.
Single scan vs multiple scans
| Mode | Best for | Key setting |
|---|---|---|
| Single scan: Brightness cutoff | Black logos, signatures, stencils | Threshold (try 0.45 to 0.6) |
| Single scan: Edge detection | Outline-only effects | Threshold |
| Single scan: Centerline tracing | Technical drawings, single-line fonts for plotters | Uses Autotrace |
| Multiple scans: Colors | Color logos and illustrations | Number of scans = number of colors |
| Multiple scans: Grays | Grayscale art, simple shading | Number of scans |
In the options, Speckles removes tiny dots (raise it for JPGs), Smooth corners rounds sharp angles (lower it for logos with crisp corners) and Optimize reduces nodes. In multiple scans, turn Stack scans off for cutting machines, so shapes sit side by side instead of on top of each other, and turn Remove background on to drop the lightest color.
Getting better results on color logos
The weak spot of Trace Bitmap is color. The "Colors" mode reduces the image to a fixed number of colors using statistics, which often picks an in-between shade from anti-aliased edges instead of a real brand color. You end up with thin halos around letters and colors that are slightly off. A few things help:
- Upscale small images 2× to 4× before tracing, so edges are smoother.
- Set the number of scans to the exact number of inks, plus one for the background.
- Turn off Smooth for flat logos so edges are not blended.
- After tracing, use Edit → Select Same → Fill Color to find and fix stray shades.
Inkscape vs. AI vectorizing: when to use each
- Use Inkscape for black-and-white art, signatures, line drawings, centerline tracing for pen plotters and when you want full manual control at zero cost.
- Use an AI vectorizer like Vecfy for color logos, JPGs with compression noise, small or blurry images and when you need a clean file fast. It costs $3 per image and you preview for free.
Many people combine both: vectorize with AI, then open the SVG in Inkscape to tweak colors or export DXF for a Silhouette Basic. If you use Illustrator instead, see how to vectorize in Illustrator, and for a wider view, the best image to vector converters.
Pixel art, centerline and other special cases
Pixel art
The Trace Bitmap dialog has a dedicated Pixel art tab that preserves the blocky look instead of smoothing it. Use it for game sprites and retro icons where the pixels are the design.
Centerline tracing for pen plotters
Normal tracing outlines both sides of a line, which a pen plotter or engraving bit would draw twice. Centerline tracing creates a single path along the middle of each stroke, perfect for AxiDraw-style plotters, single-line engraving and embroidery running stitches.
Photos
Multiple scans with 8 to 16 colors gives a posterized photo effect. Expect large files; vectors are not well suited to photographic detail.
After Inkscape Trace Bitmap: clean, combine and export
- Ungroup and inspect: multiple scans produce a group of paths, one per color. Ungroup (Ctrl+Shift+G) to work on them individually.
- Simplify: Path → Simplify (Ctrl+L) reduces nodes; apply it carefully on logos, as it can round corners.
- Union shapes: Path → Union merges pieces of the same color into one shape.
- Export: save as Plain SVG for maximum compatibility, PDF for printers, or DXF for Silhouette Studio Basic and CNC software.
For cutting machines, see how to use the file in Silhouette Studio or Cricut Design Space.