Vectorizer.AI vs Inkscape vs Illustrator - Which is Superior?

Frank Ring
5 Jan 202415:29

TLDRIn this video, Frank compares three tools for vectorizing images: Vectorizer.AI, Inkscape, and Adobe Illustrator. He conducts two tests, one with a simple black design and another with a complex ski goggle image. Vectorizer.AI is easy to use but lacks the ability to remove the background in one step. Inkscape performs well with simple designs but struggles with complex images. Illustrator offers more control and versatility, allowing users to adjust colors, remove backgrounds, and edit images directly within the software. Despite Illustrator's higher learning curve, Frank concludes it as the superior tool for vectorization due to its comprehensive features and adaptability to various image complexities.

Takeaways

  • 📈 Vectorizer.AI, Inkscape, and Illustrator were compared for vectorizing images.
  • 🖌 The first test was with a simple black design, and the second with a complex ski goggles image.
  • 🚫 Vectorizer.AI couldn't remove the background in one step, requiring additional software for editing.
  • 🎨 Inkscape provided a straightforward way to vectorize and edit the simple design with the option to remove the background.
  • 🖍 Illustrator also effectively vectorized the simple design, allowing for color changes and background removal within the software.
  • 🏆 For simple images, both Inkscape and Illustrator performed well, with Illustrator offering more versatility.
  • 👎 Vectorizer.AI had issues with complex images like the ski goggles, producing less clean lines and gradients.
  • 🛠️ Inkscape struggled with the complexity of the ski goggles image, failing to provide a usable vectorization.
  • 🔍 Illustrator, despite not being perfect, offered more control and options for adjusting the vectorization of complex images.
  • 🔢 Vectorizer.AI lacked the ability to select the number of colors or remove the background directly within the tool.
  • 📚 The conclusion favored Illustrator for its comprehensive feature set and versatility in handling both simple and complex images.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the video?

    -The main purpose of the video is to compare different tools for transforming images into vectors, specifically Vectorizer.AI, Inkscape, and Illustrator.

  • What are the two tests conducted in the video?

    -The two tests conducted in the video are: 1) Vectorizing a simple black design and removing the background, and 2) Vectorizing a more complex image of ski goggles with gradients and white elements inside the design.

  • What is a limitation of Vectorizer.AI when it comes to removing the background?

    -Vectorizer.AI does not allow the removal of the background in a single step. The user has to download the vectorized image and then open it in a vector editing software to remove the background.

  • How does Inkscape handle the removal of the background during the vectorization process?

    -Inkscape allows the user to choose 'Remove Background' during the Trace Bitmap process, which can effectively remove the background in a single step.

  • What is the advantage of using Illustrator for vectorization?

    -Illustrator offers more control over the vectorization process, allowing users to select the number of colors, ignore the background, and ungroup elements for further editing directly within the software.

  • Why might a user prefer Vectorizer.AI for vectorizing images?

    -Vectorizer.AI might be preferred for its ability to quickly vectorize images with a simple interface, although it requires additional steps and the use of other software for tasks like color selection and background removal.

  • What is the issue with Inkscape when dealing with complex images?

    -Inkscape may struggle with complex images, particularly when there are too many colors or gradients, which can result in a less than ideal vectorization with spots and imperfections.

  • What is the conclusion about the best tool for vectorizing images?

    -The conclusion is that Illustrator is likely the best tool for vectorizing images due to its versatility and the ability to perform all necessary tasks within the software, despite the need for additional steps with Vectorizer.AI.

  • Why might a user choose to use Inkscape despite its limitations with complex images?

    -A user might choose Inkscape for its ease of use and ability to handle simple images effectively, as well as its cost, which is free and open-source.

  • How does the user feel about the color selection options in Vectorizer.AI?

    -The user is not satisfied with the lack of color selection options in Vectorizer.AI, as it limits the customization of the vectorized image.

  • What is the user's final recommendation for users with different needs?

    -The user recommends Illustrator for its comprehensive features and versatility, but acknowledges that both Vectorizer.AI and Inkscape can be great tools depending on the complexity of the images and the user's specific needs.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Introduction to Vectorization Tools Comparison

In this video, Frank introduces a comparative analysis of different tools used for converting images into vector formats. The main aim is to assist viewers in selecting the right tool for vectorizing images, which could originate from AI image generators or other sources. The video will test three tools: Vectorizer.doai, Inkscape's image trace, and Illustrator's image trace. The testing will involve two different images—a simple black design and a more complex ski goggles image—to evaluate each tool's ability to handle vectorization, background removal, and color adjustments.

05:02

🖌️ Testing Vectorization on Simple Black Design

Frank begins the first test with a simple black design, using Vectorizer.doai, Inkscape, and Illustrator to transform the image into a vector format. Vectorizer.doai successfully converts the image but falls short in removing the background in a single step. Inkscape performs well, offering the ability to remove the background and edit the vector in a single step. Illustrator also does a commendable job, providing options to ignore the background and offering more control over the final vector image. Both Inkscape and Illustrator emerge as winners for this simple vectorization task, while Vectorizer.doai requires additional steps and software to achieve the same result.

10:03

🎨 Evaluating Vectorization on Complex Ski Goggles Image

Moving on to the second test with a complex ski goggles image, Frank assesses the performance of Vectorizer.doai, Inkscape, and Illustrator. Vectorizer.doai provides a decent result but struggles with gradients and line clarity, and does not allow for color selection. Inkscape initially has difficulty removing the background and dealing with complex color spots, suggesting it may not be suitable for highly detailed images. Illustrator, on the other hand, offers a more controlled approach, allowing for background removal and color adjustments, although it doesn't perfectly trace the complex image. Frank concludes that while Vectorizer.doai performs well in vectorizing the image, Illustrator provides more versatility and control over the final result.

15:06

🏆 Conclusion: Illustrator as the Preferred Vectorization Tool

In conclusion, Frank finds Illustrator to be the most versatile and comprehensive tool for vectorizing images. Despite the fact that the results from Illustrator may not always be perfect, it offers a wide range of features within the software itself, allowing for image tracing, color selection, and background removal. Inkscape is suitable for simpler images but may falter with complex ones. Vectorizer.doai, while effective in vectorizing images, requires additional steps and tools for editing and refining the final vector. Frank suggests that the choice of tool depends on individual needs, but for overall functionality and ease of use, Illustrator stands out as the top choice.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Vectorizer.AI

Vectorizer.AI is an online tool that converts images into vector formats. It allows users to upload an image and then transforms it into vectors, which can be downloaded and further edited in vector editing software. In the video, Vectorizer.AI is compared with Inkscape and Illustrator for its ability to vectorize images, particularly in terms of simplicity and the quality of the resulting vector image.

💡Inkscape

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor that can be used to create or edit vector images, such as SVG files. The video discusses how Inkscape's 'Trace Bitmap' feature can be used to convert raster images into vector format. It is highlighted for its ability to handle simple black designs and its user-friendly interface for removing backgrounds and editing the resulting vector images.

💡Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a proprietary vector graphics editor used for creating illustrations, logos, and various graphic designs. In the context of the video, Illustrator's 'Image Trace' feature is used to convert raster images into vectors. The software is praised for its versatility and the level of control it provides over the vectorization process, including the ability to select colors, remove backgrounds, and edit vector paths.

💡Vectorization

Vectorization is the process of converting a raster or bitmap image into a vector format. This process allows for greater scalability and clarity of the image when resized. In the video, the host compares different tools' effectiveness in vectorizing images, noting the importance of the process for achieving clean and editable vector graphics.

💡Image Trace

Image Trace is a feature found in vector graphics software that automates the conversion of raster images to vector format. It is a critical tool in the vectorization process as discussed in the video. Both Illustrator and Inkscape have this feature, and the video evaluates their performance based on the quality of the traced image and the ease of use.

💡Background Removal

Background removal is the process of eliminating the background of an image to isolate the subject or design element. This is an important step in vectorization, as it allows for the focus to be on the design itself. The video discusses the effectiveness of each tool in removing backgrounds and the impact on the final vector image.

💡Color Selection

Color selection refers to the ability to choose and apply specific colors to different parts of a vector image. This is significant in the vectorization process as it allows for customization and editing of the vector image. The video compares how each tool handles color selection and application in the context of vectorized images.

💡Gradients

Gradients are smooth transitions between two or more colors. In the context of vector graphics, preserving gradients is important for maintaining the visual appeal of the original raster image. The video discusses the challenges of vectorizing images with gradients and how each tool handles this aspect.

💡SVG

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics, which is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics with support for interactivity and animation. The video mentions SVG as the file format that Vectorizer.AI outputs, which can then be imported into other vector editing software for further editing.

💡Versatility

Versatility in the context of the video refers to the ability of a tool to handle a wide range of tasks or scenarios effectively. Adobe Illustrator is highlighted as a versatile tool due to its comprehensive feature set, which allows for a complete vectorization workflow within a single application.

💡Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is a subscription service that provides access to Adobe's creative and design software, including Illustrator. The video mentions the Adobe Creative Cloud as a way to access Illustrator and potentially other Adobe tools at a reduced cost, which could be beneficial for users looking to work with vector graphics professionally.

Highlights

Comparison of Vectorizer.AI, Inkscape, and Illustrator for image vectorization.

Vectorizer.AI is a web-based tool that converts images to vectors with simple drag-and-drop functionality.

Inkscape offers a 'Trace Bitmap' feature with options to customize the number of colors and remove the background.

Illustrator's Image Trace tool allows for color selection and background removal with a single-step process.

Vectorizer.AI does not have a one-step background removal feature.

Inkscape provides flexibility in color selection and allows for easy editing and color changes post-vectorization.

Illustrator provides more control over the vectorization process, including implementing gradients.

Both Inkscape and Illustrator performed well in vectorizing a simple black design.

Vectorizer.AI struggled with complex images like ski goggles, showing less clean lines and gradient issues.

Inkscape faced difficulties with complex images, resulting in a less usable vector.

Illustrator provided a decent result for complex images, with more control over the final output.

Vectorizer.AI requires additional steps and tools to achieve the final vectorized image.

Inkscape may not be suitable for very complex images that require detailed vectorization.

Illustrator is considered the most versatile tool for vectorization, offering all necessary features within the software.

The choice between Vectorizer.AI, Inkscape, and Illustrator depends on the complexity of the image and the user's needs.

Illustrator is recommended for its comprehensive feature set and ability to handle the vectorization process in a single tool.

The video provides a detailed comparison to help users decide which tool is best for their vectorization needs.