Convert bitmapped images to paths

Microsoft Expression Design has a built-in auto trace feature to convert bitmapped images into vector paths.

Converting an image to paths

To convert a bitmapped image to paths

1. Select an image object on your page.

2. On the Object menu, point to Image, and then click Auto Trace Image.

3. In the Auto Trace Image dialog box, set the auto trace parameters. These include the following:

   • Number of Colors   Type or select a value from the list for the number of colors that Expression Design should use in the final vector artwork.

   • Pre-filtering   Select a value from the Pre-filtering drop-down list for the amount of smoothing (or blurring) that should be applied to the image before it is converted to vector paths. The higher the value, the more the bitmapped image will be smoothed. If you select None, the image will not be blurred at all, and the result will often contain sharper edges.

   • Tightness of fit   Select how tightly you want the vector objects to fit to the original bitmapped image (from Very loose to Verytight). If the fit is set to be looser, the resulting paths will have fewer nodes, and fewer details will be retained from the bitmapped image.

     

4. To convert the image, click OK.

The result is a group of vector objects positioned on top of the original bitmapped image. If you have to work with individual objects in the group, use the Group Select tool or, on the Arrange menu, click Ungroup.

The original image (left) and the auto traced image (right). Several of the vector shapes in the auto traced version have been selected.

See also

Concepts

Selection tools