How to use Trace Image on SCAL2

[Katiec]

I was wondering if there was a good tutorial on using the trace image feature in SCAL 2. What type of files can you use and do I have to use Incscapes to convert?

[HeatherM]

If you have SCAL2 You don't need to use Inkscape unless you want to edit your vector after tracing. I have a tutorial coving the basic trace settings in SCAL2 here and more detail on the brightness settings here

The following statement about image types for tracing is directly from the SCAL2 help file. "The program can accept most .bmp, .gif, .jpg and .png files. If you have Apple Quicktime installed, it can import additional image formats that are supported in Quicktime."

[Katiec]

Thank you! I had watched a good tutorial a couple of months ago, before I bought my cricket and SCAL2. Now that I have it and want to learn how to do it I couldn't find it anywhere.

[balletcostumemom]

Can you help with the break apart info on Scal2? I got my image into SCAL (couldn't seperate it in Inkscape for some reason) and SCAL2 did outline it, but when I clicked the break apart, I didn't notice any difference in being able to move or seperate layers. I admit to being a newbie trying out things without propering learning in order, thanks in advance.

[HeatherM]

Chances are good that if you couldn't get it to break apart in Inkscape, it is because there are broken lines. The Path/Break apart only works on closed shapes. Look closely at your file in Inkscape and see if you can find any places where the lines aren't connected.

Did you check the "Break apart outlines" before you traced in SCAL2? Look at the layers window in SCAL2 (bottom right corner unless you have moved it). If there are layers in the trace, there will be a triangle next to the trace name. Click on the triangle to show the individual layers. If you want to move them independently, select the trace on the mat, then from the menu, Object/Ungroup. See my post here for more on using layered files in SCAL2.

You will probably have the same problem here that you did in Inkscape, except that SCAL2 doesn't give you the option of editing the lines.

[balletcostumemom]

Needed to take a minute to fix SCAL2. I did not have the Advanced Workspace open. Ok, now I can open the layers on SCAL2 (thank you) but still cannot on Inkscape. The trace bitmap produces no image and that would probably be the better place to work on it because it might need some lines merged. SCAL2 is leaving out the white later so the design would be incomplete. I was trying to do this as a vinyl applique.

[HeatherM]

Sorry, I didn't see that you added the image until tonight. Here is an svg with three colors. I used the default settings (in Inkscape) to get the maroon color, and then did a second trace at about 0.8 for the gold, followed by a little editing. It isn't perfect because the original image was too pixelly for a good trace. I didn't use any layers in Inkscape since I didn't know how many colors you are going to cut. If you want to cut it like it is using SCAL2, just open the file in Inkscape, select everything you want to cut as one layer, Control G. Do that for each layer you want. Save and import into SCAL2. SCAL2 imports each group into its own layer.

Also, you might want to remove the thin circles around the jaguar if you are going to use the white or the yellow. HTH

[balletcostumemom]

Oh thanks Heather! You're so helpful to have done that for me! Wow!

[Loves2Smock]

I can get things traced...but I cant get them to break apart. I do select to break lines apart befor hitting OK to trace, but it doesnt do anything. The lines are closed. What am I missing (other than I have no clue what I am doing)? I can't get layers for anything and it's driving me nuts. This is what my screen looks like. Thanks for any further info!

Sarah

[HeatherM]

Each of the triangles next to the file names in the Layers window shows that there are sub-layers within that group. Click on the triangle to show the layer controls. If you want to move the individual layers, you need to select the trace, then from the menu select Object/Ungroup. Then you will be able to move pieces independently. HTH