Can images be vectorized in QCAD?

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JayPark
Junior Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:35 am

Can images be vectorized in QCAD?

Post by JayPark » Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:13 pm

Hello,
I’m wondering if it’s possible to vectorize images in QCAD.

I’m a leathercraft artisan, and I’d like to transfer a physical paper pattern directly into CAD.

If there’s another way besides vectorizing, please share it with me.

Thank you.

CVH
Premier Member
Posts: 5123
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Re: Can images be vectorized in QCAD?

Post by CVH » Sat Aug 09, 2025 7:58 pm

Hi,

Yes, please refer to the Trace Bitmap… reference.

Regards,
CVH

JayPark
Junior Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:35 am

Re: Can images be vectorized in QCAD?

Post by JayPark » Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:45 am

Thank you for answer me !
Have a good day :)

JayPark
Junior Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:35 am

Re: Can images be vectorized in QCAD?

Post by JayPark » Sun Aug 10, 2025 9:49 am

CVH wrote:
Sat Aug 09, 2025 7:58 pm
Hi,

Yes, please refer to the Trace Bitmap… reference.

Regards,
CVH
Hello,
After some trial and error, I roughly traced the lines, but the shape made up of multiple points is much larger than the actual object.
What’s the best way to match it to the real-life size?

CVH
Premier Member
Posts: 5123
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Re: Can images be vectorized in QCAD?

Post by CVH » Sun Aug 10, 2025 4:40 pm

Hi,

A bitmap doesn't store it's geometric size except NxM pixels.
By default QCAD imports a bitmap as entity in the scale 1 pixel = 1 drawing unit.

The drawing unit of a new file depends on the user preference.

In my case 100 pixels wide would result in a design somewhat less than 100 times 1 pixel = 1mm or 100mm.
When the drawing unit is the inch then 100 pixels wide equals 100 inches by default.

3 options:
- Scale the bitmap while importing if a scale is known.
- After importing as default, scale the Bitmap entity to fit at least two known opposite real world points.
- Or scale the Tracing entities to fit at least two known opposite real world points.

Aligning references points with scaling is perfect for this job.

Regards,
CVH

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