A question for InkScape users

[Tom-in-Ashland]

I have a photo of an architectural design I think might make a good pattern.  If I import that photo into Inkscape can I create a layer on which the design could be traced and then print just the layer?

[OCtoolguy]

51 minutes ago, Tom-in-Ashland said:

I have a photo of an architectural design I think might make a good pattern.  If I import that photo into Inkscape can I create a layer on which the design could be traced and then print just the layer?

As far as I know, you can print individual layers as long as you move only that layer into the worksheet area. As for doing a tracing through layers, that's beyond my scope of knowledge. I'll be watching this though so as to learn something new.

 

[Foxfold]

Have you tried using Trace Bitmap and the 'outline' button ?   I had a quick try with a photo of my house and did this. Not perfect but it was done straight from the photo. Could no doubt be 'tweaked' to give a better image.

 

Edited May 31, 2022 by Foxfold
wrong picture 1st time

[Dan]

The answer is yes, you can create a layer then trace as you like to create a pattern. I've done this in the past but that was long ago. Not sure I remember how but it would be easy to figure out. Check out a few youtube videos.

And yes, the Trace Bitmap works pretty well, but depends on the contrast of the bitmap image.

[OCtoolguy]

I was thinking that if you have a photo or pic on the first layer and create a 2nd layer over it, you could use the node tool to trace the lines of the pic. I think one of Trevor's videos covered how to do it. If I recall he did trace a picture of a deer.

[Joe W.]

I came across this in the manual:

Even if the bitmap you're tracing is in itself a rendition of a vector path, the trace will never exactly reproduce that original path. 
Concerting a vector shape in a bitmap always incurs a loss of information, and Inkscape tracer cannot restore this loss of information other than by guessing.
The best piece of advice in this situation is to get your bitmap at the highest possible resolution.

Also, play with Threshold and Options at the bottom of the dialog.

Hope this helps.  

[Tom-in-Ashland]

Thanks for all the responses. Now the problem is the layer I trace onto is not locked positionally to the one with the photo. I accidentally  move it before I'm finished.  Is there a way to lock the layers together so they do not move separately?

[Joe W.]

8 hours ago, Tom-in-Ashland said:

 Is there a way to lock the layers together

Try clicking on Object in the top of the menu selection and then click on Group and see if that will work. 

[Foxfold]

There is a button called 'Layer' at the top. Highlight both layers and click that and a drop down menu arrives.  Click the 'Lock/Unlock current layer. This will tie the two together.

Edited June 2, 2022 by Foxfold

[Tom-in-Ashland]

Thank you!