Inkscape doesn't trace some bitmaps, traces all others

[Tamara Macadam]

Sometimes, when I do the automatic tracing option in Inkscape, it doesn't trace the image at all. Some images just don't work on it. For some reason, it seems to be fixed when the settings are changed (in my case, i have the settings at: multiple scans, colours option, 64 colours and 256 scans, stack scans on). Even after deleting the .inkscape-etc folder, it still doesn't work, despite working perfectly with the exact same settings with other images.

I did eventually get the images to be traced, I doubled the size in GIMP and that traced them fine. But it's weird, for some images it just never works. Ever.

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

Could you please give some information on your operation system and Inkscape version, and attach the failing bitmap file to the report so that we can try to reproduce?

Thanks!

[Tamara Macadam (megaminxwin)]

I'm using OS X 10.8.4, the Inkscape version is Inkscape 0.48.4 r9939. The failing bitmap is attached, but apparently it traces fine for some other people, while one of the bitmaps that works for me fails...

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

Not reproduced on Crunchbang Waldorf (Debian stable), Inkscape trunk revision 12501.
Reproduced on the same OS with Inkscape 0.48.3.1.

I'll test on Windows XP later to confirm it's fixed.

[su_v (suv-lp)]

On OS X 10.7.5, not reproduced with any available build so far:
- official OS X package Inkscape 0.48.2
- RC5 package for Inkscape 0.48.4 (GTK+/Quartz), not an official build yet
- local builds of 0.48.3.1, 0.48.4, trunk r12500
(all tests done with default prefs; trace bitmap options: multiscan, color, 256 scans; bitmap embedded or linked makes no difference)

@Tamara - this
> Even after deleting the .inkscape-etc folder
and
> I'm using OS X 10.8.4, the Inkscape version is Inkscape 0.48.4 r9939
does not really match (there is no official package for OS X of Inkscape 0.48.4 - latest is 0.48.2 - and in case you installed Inkscape 0.48.4 via Macports, Fink or Homebrew, it would not use ~/.inkscape-etc at all). Could you please provide information which version you have installed (see Inkscape menu 'Help > About Inkscape')?

Inkscape's preferences are stored in '~/.config/inkscape/' ('~/.inkscape-etc/' only contains a few temporary GTK-related config files used by the application package). To reset the preferences, rename or delete '~/.config/inkscape/'.

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

Reproduced on Windows XP, Inkscape 0.48.4, with the smooth option unchecked.
Doesn't affect revision 12501, smooth option unchecked or not.

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

Tested again on Crunchbang.
Only affects 0.48.x versions (and maybe older ones) with smooth option unchecked.
Fixed in the trunk.

[Kathleen Denman (kathleen-h)]

How do I get around this known problem? Ive been fighting with it on and off for some time.
XP I cant find the version.

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

@Kathleen - The version is in the Help>About Inkscape dialog (top right).