Affinity Designer 2 Trace Image 2024 - The best free tool so far

GraphicalFinity
4 Feb 202406:10

TLDRThis video discusses the best free alternative to Vectorizer AI, which now requires a subscription. The recommended tool is SVG Converter, which performs local vectorization in the browser. The video demonstrates its features, such as handling black and white images, adjusting smoothness, and editing segmented images to fix artifacts. Though not as advanced as Vectorizer AI, SVG Converter provides good results for a free tool. The video also briefly reviews Logoist 5, another vectorizing tool with better gradient support and a powerful editor, positioning it as a potential alternative to Affinity Designer.

Takeaways

  • 💰 Vectorizer AI is no longer free and requires a subscription for use, which may not be worth it for casual users.
  • 🌐 SVG Converter is a free alternative that performs vectorization locally in the browser without uploading to a server.
  • 🔄 For black and white images, SVG Converter offers a 'black and white' switch to optimize the vectorization process.
  • 🎨 The vectorization results can be downloaded as SVG files, which can be opened in Affinity Designer for further editing.
  • 📽 If the result is too smooth, the smoothness can be adjusted to 'medium' for better visual appearance.
  • 🖼️ SVG Converter may require additional work for complex images as it does not enhance vectors as effectively as Vectorizer AI.
  • 🎆 The tool struggles with recognizing gradients, often splitting them into multiple paths, which may need manual correction.
  • ✂️ Users can edit the segmented image directly within the SVG Converter to fix artifacts and improve the final result.
  • 📈 SVG Converter provides an 'edit image' feature to address problem areas and refine the vectorization output.
  • 🛠️ After vectorization, the SVG file in Affinity Designer may require layer cleanup and combining into compound curves for a cleaner design.
  • 🔄 Logoist 5 is another tool mentioned, which offers a powerful editor and good gradient support, potentially being an alternative to Affinity Designer.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the free alternative to Vectorizer AI mentioned in the transcript?

    -The free alternative to Vectorizer AI mentioned is called SVG Converter.

  • What is the primary advantage of using SVG Converter over Vectorizer AI?

    -SVG Converter is a free tool and it processes the vectorization locally on the user's browser without uploading anything to a server.

  • How does SVG Converter handle black and white images?

    -SVG Converter allows users to switch to a black and white mode for better vectorization results on black and white images.

  • What is the process of downloading a vectorized SVG file from SVG Converter?

    -After vectorization is complete, users can download the SVG file by pressing the download button, which saves the file in the user's downloads folder.

  • How can users adjust the smoothness of the vectorized result in SVG Converter?

    -If the result is too smooth, users can change the smoothness setting to medium for a better appearance.

  • What is a limitation of SVG Converter when handling images with gradients?

    -SVG Converter is not smart enough to recognize gradients and tends to split the gradient into multiple paths, which may require additional work.

  • How long does the processing in SVG Converter take?

    -The processing time in SVG Converter can take longer depending on the complexity of the image, as everything is done in the browser.

  • What feature does SVG Converter offer to fix artifacts in the vectorized image?

    -SVG Converter provides an 'Edit Image' button that allows users to open the segmented image and manually correct problem areas using the fill tool.

  • How does the SVG file appear when opened in Affinity Designer?

    -The SVG file opened in Affinity Designer consists of multiple layers, which often require cleanup by removing unnecessary layers and combining the remaining layers into a compound curve.

  • What is the name of another vectorization tool mentioned in the transcript?

    -Another vectorization tool mentioned is Logoist 5, which offers a decent vectorizer and a powerful editor for further processing.

  • What is the benefit of using Logoist 5 over SVG Converter?

    -Logoist 5 provides better gradient support and a more powerful editor for refining the vectorized results, potentially serving as an alternative to Affinity Designer.

  • What does the user recommend at the end of the transcript?

    -The user recommends hitting the like and subscribe buttons and checking the description for links to other alternatives to Vectorizer AI.

Outlines

00:00

📈 Free Alternative to Vectorizer AI: SVG Converter

The video discusses the transition of the best free map Tracer to a subscription-based service called Vectorizer AI, which costs a monthly fee. It is deemed worthwhile for professional use but not for casual users. As an alternative, SVG converter is introduced as a free tool that performs vectorization locally in the browser without uploading to a server. The process is demonstrated by uploading a black and white image, adjusting settings, and downloading the resultant SVG file. The tool is praised for its ability to correct artifacts in the vectorized image through an editing feature. Despite not providing the AI-enhanced vectors like Vectorizer AI, SVG converter is considered a good free alternative, especially for those who do not require professional-level vectorization.

05:03

🎨 Logoist 5: A Powerful Vectorizer and Editor

The video then shifts its focus to Logoist 5, a software that was recently purchased for testing. It is highlighted for its impressive vectorization capabilities right from the startup screen. The vectorization process is shown, including the ability to fine-tune the output. The software also provides robust gradient support and an editor that rivals the capabilities of Affinity Designer. The editor allows users to view and modify the document structure before exporting as SVG. The video concludes with a recommendation to import the SVG file into Affinity Designer for further processing and a reminder for viewers to like and subscribe for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Vectorizer AI

Vectorizer AI is a tool that converts raster images into vector images using artificial intelligence. In the script, it is mentioned as a previously free tool that now requires a subscription. It is praised for its ability to produce high-quality vector images with smooth lines and enhanced vectors.

💡SVG Converter

SVG Converter is an alternative tool mentioned in the video for converting images to vector format. It is highlighted as a free tool that operates locally in the browser. The script discusses its performance in converting black-and-white images and its lack of gradient recognition compared to Vectorizer AI.

💡Vectorization

Vectorization is the process of converting raster images, which are made up of pixels, into vector images, which are made up of paths. The script describes how this process is handled by different tools and the quality of the output produced by SVG Converter and Vectorizer AI.

💡Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a professional graphic design software used for vector graphic design. The script mentions using Affinity Designer to review and edit the SVG files generated by the SVG Converter, highlighting its ability to handle multiple layers and curves.

💡Smoothness

Smoothness refers to the quality of the vector lines produced during vectorization. In the script, adjusting the smoothness setting in SVG Converter affects the appearance of the vector image, with higher smoothness resulting in fewer, more uniform nodes.

💡Gradients

Gradients are a visual effect in images where colors gradually blend into each other. The script notes that SVG Converter struggles with vectorizing gradients, splitting them into multiple paths, unlike Vectorizer AI which handles gradients more effectively.

💡Artifacts

Artifacts are unwanted visual elements that appear in an image as a result of processing errors. The script mentions that the initial vectorization with SVG Converter produced artifacts, which could be fixed using the edit image feature.

💡Segmented Image

A segmented image is an intermediate step in the vectorization process where the image is divided into segments that can be individually edited. The script describes using this feature in SVG Converter to correct problem areas before final vectorization.

💡Logoist 5

Logoist 5 is another software mentioned in the script with vectorization capabilities. It is described as having better gradient support and providing decent vectorization results, making it a potential alternative to Affinity Designer.

💡Layers

Layers are separate levels at which elements of an image are placed. The script discusses managing layers in Affinity Designer after vectorization, such as combining and cleaning up layers to optimize the vector image.

Highlights

The best free map Tracer is no longer free; Vectorizer AI now requires a subscription.

Vectorizer AI costs n bucks a month, which may be worth it for professional use but not for casual use.

SVG converter is a free alternative for vectorization that works well for casual use.

SVG converter allows you to drag and drop an image for vectorization.

Black and white images can be vectorized with a switch in SVG converter.

Vectorization in SVG converter is done locally on the browser, ensuring privacy.

The vectorized result can be zoomed and panned for detailed inspection.

Vector files can be downloaded as SVG format from SVG converter.

Adjustable smoothness settings are available in SVG converter for better results.

Gradients may not be accurately recognized by SVG converter, requiring manual correction.

Complicated images may take longer to process in the browser due to their complexity.

SVG converter includes an edit feature to fix artifacts in the vectorized image.

After editing, the image can be re-vectorized for improved results.

The final vectorized image can be exported and opened in Affinity Designer for further editing.

Affinity Designer allows for layer cleanup and combination into compound curves.

Logoist 5 is a recently purchased tool that offers a decent vectorizer with options for fine-tuning.

Logoist 5 provides better gradient support and opens vectorized results in a powerful editor.

The vectorized file from Logoist 5 can be exported as SVG for further processing in Affinity Designer.