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Raster to vector conversion: Creating high quality scans
"The biggest stumbling block to achieving good results with raster to vector conversion software is the fact that too many users generate poor quality scanned images. Often, this is because they do not understand the scan quality required for raster to vector conversion or how to achieve it. This article contains simple steps for creating high quality scans."

Live Trace in Adobe Illustrator CS2
Live Trace is one of the best new features in Illustrator CS2. With this tool you will be able to trace logos, sketches, scans, and many other bitmap images that were time-consuming and difficult to reproduce in minutes.

Tracing a Logo in CorelDRAW
This tutorial shows you how you can manually trace a logo created in AutoCAD using CorelDRAW's bezier drawing tools.

ImpressionX (Win)
Featured Download - Convert raster images to vector, convert color images to line drawings, create paint by number pages, substitute colors in images, product color separations, and more. Shareware, $39.95.

Acme TraceArt (Win)
Convert raster to vector with batch process, direct scanning, and more. Shareware - $79.50 US.

Adobe Streamline (Win/Mac)
Convert scanned black and white lineart or color raster images into scalable PostScript line art. Note: Adobe has discontinued the sale and development of Adobe Streamline software. New, more powerful tracing capabilities have been integrated into Adobe Illustrator CS2 software as the Live Trace feature, eliminating the need for the Streamline product.

AlgoLab Photo Vector (Win)
Convert any image into a vector image with features for color reduction, cleaning, and autotrace. Shareware 10-day evaluation - $58US to purchase.

ArtLine (Mac)
High performance vectorization and tracing of bitmaps with correction tools.

AutoTrace (Win/BeOS/*nix)
Autotrace converts bitmap images to scalable vectors. Currently converts only black and white images. Free.

Bitmap to Vector in a Flash
Little known fact: Flash is an excellent tool for converting bitmap graphics into vector based art.

Delineate - Raster to SVG Converter (Mac/Win/Linux)
"Delineate is a tool for converting raster images to SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)... Input formats are JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PNM, PBM, PGM, PPM, IFF, PCD, PSD, RAS."

Imagaro Z (Win/Mac)
"Imagaro Z takes low resolution bitmap images and allows you to convert them into clean vector. The software also has built in font recognition that allows you to identify typestyles used within a bitmap image."

LogoSpruce (Win/Mac)
A collection of tracing, trimming, and guide tools to help manually edit faxed or scanned images from within Adobe Illustrator 7/8/9.

MagicTracer (Win)
"Raster to vector conversion program for Windows that includes raster and vector tools that simplify conversion along with customizable auto-tracing features." Free full-featured demo available for download.

MetaPixel CNC OnLine Raster to Vector Converter
"Free online raster to vector converter converts raster images to DXF format for cnc machine art, cnc router, engraver, sign cutter, plasma torch, laser, etc..."

RasterVect Software (Win)
Converts rater drawings and scanned illustrations to industry-standard, vector format DXF files. Trail version available. Registration costs $79.95 US.

Scan2CAD raster to vector conversion software (Win)
"Robust and flexible automatic raster to vector conversion of scanned drawings, including text (OCR). Converts raster PDF, TIFF, JPG, BMP etc. to DXF vectors for editing in any CAD or CNC program. From USD 298 - free fully functioning trial available."

ScanFont (Win)
Convert scanned pictures and text to fonts. Includes tools for bitmap editing, font editing, and autotrace. $199 US.

Segmation (Win)
Photoshop plug-in transforms images into vector-based line art, paint by number images, and patterns.

Silhouette (Win/Mac)
Silhouette converts black and white or colour bitmap images into vector designs. Features batch processing and special correction tools for adjusting alignments, sharpening corners, supressing unnecessary points, smoothing tangents, and more. Available as stand alone software or as a plugin for Adobe Illustrator 8, 9 and 10.

TraceLine (Win)
Converts scanned and imported bitmap graphics to scalable outlines that can be used in other applications. Convert hand drawn sketches, logos, and photos to editable paths. Shareware - $79.95 US. Trial download available.

TracTrix (Win)
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 $390.00.

Vector Eye (Win)
"Vector Eye instantly converts scanned black-and-white or color raster images (bmp, jpg, tiff, png) into editable vector files (svg, ps, eps)."

Vextractor (Win)
"Vextractor is a tool for transforming raster images into vector formats by building centerlines and outlines. This vectorizer tool could be used for vectorizing of charts, maps, schemes and other similar images for input to CAD & GIS systems."

WinTopo (Win)
Raster to vector conversion software available in a professional or freeware version.