Vectorize a Picture/Photo image

 

Picture/Photo vectorization is used for raster images containing solid regions of color and will vectorize the whole image unless specified otherwise – (see 1-3 below).

This method converts all color elements on the raster image to vectors unless specified otherwise – (see 3. below).

Any identifiable text on the image will NOT be considered for conversion to editable vector text.

Raster images should be Segmented before using Picture/Photo vectorization.

 

Vectorizing part of the image

1. If you only want to  vectorize a partial area of the image, choose the part you want to vectorize by windowing it or zooming into it, then follow the steps below.
2. Templates can be set before using Picture/Photo to selectively vectorize only those areas of  the image required for vectorization.
3. Either Pick Color or Select Color Layers can be set  before using Picture/Photo to selectively vectorize only those colors required for vectorization.
If required, 3 above can be combined with ether 1 or 2 above.

 

The Picture/Photo dialogue tool

1. Picture/Photo type should have been previously set using the Type >  Picture/Photo Menu.
2. Click , press the F7 key or select Run Menu > Vectorization.
3. You should now be presented with the Picture/Photo Vectorization dialog.

4. In the Preview Window, if the image is large, zoom into the image so that you will be able to clearly see the effects of the vectorization using the following slider and settings options.
5. Vectors Definition slider

 This slider affects the degree to which the vectors exactingly follow the color edges of the image.If the slider is set to extreme ‘High’ (0) then the vectorization will follow every pixel edge. This is generally not required. The initial level of (5) will be suitable as a start point and the user can move the slider up and down to see the results in the Preview Window. Moving the slider to ‘Low’ will relax the degree to which the vectors follow the color edges.

6. Vector Profile settings

Options within this heading allow the user to set the nature of vectors describing the boundaries of color areas of the image.

· Identify Circles

Where an image area can be described as circular then the vector boundary will be formed from a circle.

· Bias Othogonal

Where a boundary vector is close to the vertical or horizontal then Scan2CAD will make the vector orthogonal.

· Bias Angular

Boundary vectors will be comprised of a series of straight lines.

· Angular with Curves

Boundary vectors will be comprised of a series of curves (formed from beziers) as best suits the image edges.

 

7. Vector Type settings

Options within this heading allow the user to set the type of the polygon or edge formed from the edge vectors. Polygon shapes(profiles) will reflect the settings made in Vector Profile.

 

· Polygon
· Solid

Polygons are solid. Polygons are a series of connected polyline vectors. The edge and fill color is the same as the pixels outlined.

· Non Solid

Polygons are not solid but empty(no fill color). Polygons are a series of connected polyline vectors. The edge color is the same as the pixels outlined.

 

The number of polyline segments used to form the polygon can be altered by changing the Bezier to Polylines Segments value in Set DXF/DWG export options

 

· PolyBezier
· Solid

Polygons are solid. Polygons are a series of connected bezier vectors. The edge and fill color is the same as the pixels outlined.

· Non Solid

Polygons are not solid but empty(no fill color). Polygons are a series of connected bezier vectors. The edge color is the same as the pixels outlined.

 

· Edge

Edge indicates that Polygons are not required. Each unique edge between different areas of raster color will be represented by either Bezier, Polyline, or Circle vectors. The vector color will be the same as either of the adjacent pixel areas.

 

The number of Polyline segments can be altered by changing the Bezier to Polylines Segments value in Set DXF/DWG export options

 

8. Display settings

Options within this heading allow the user to set the display characteristics of the image in the Preview Window.

 

· Highlight Polygons

The edge color of polygons is displayed as black. This is useful in identifying polygons especially where you may have adjacent polygons of a similar color or the polygons are being displayed on top of the raster image. This is only a display feature – the original edge color is retained.

· Show Raster

The segmented raster image in shown in the Preview Window with vectors displayed on top. When used with the Non Solid and Edge Polygon types the user can see how exactingly the vectors follow the image color edges. This option is not of value when used with the Solid Polygon type as the solid vectors displayed will fully cover the raster image.

· Show Raster Faded

The raster image will be displayed faded to give a measure of contrast between the colored  vectors and the raster image.

 

 

 

 

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