build in autotrace

[Bug Importer]

similar to potrace, an interface for autotrace, would
be nice.
http://autotrace.sourceforge.net/

[Bug Importer (bug-importer)]

An important feature!

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

Since Inkscape already uses potrace, why also use autotrace?

[Alex Valavanis (valavanisalex)]

This feature request needs further discussion before the developers will consider it. Please consider adding your opinions

[su_v (suv-lp)]

> Since Inkscape already uses potrace, why also use autotrace?

One possible reason: autotrace supports centerline tracing, potrace not.

[Shriramana Sharma (jamadagni)]

Bug #171414 (and its duplicates) regarding centerline tracing would be solved if this is provided. I would also like to see centerline tracing and since autotrace provides that, it would be best to provide an interface for autotrace. While potrace seems to be better than autotrace for most other purposes:

http://delineate.sourceforge.net/
"potrace produces superior black and white SVG results compared to AutoTrace."

http://lilypond.org/mftrace/
Potrace is recommended as it runs quicker than autotrace.

... it seems the single function of centerline tracing will make autotrace a great addition judging by the number of queries about this at the forum (http://www.inkscapeforum.com/search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&keywords=centerline+tracing), especially since potrace is never going to support that:

http://potrace.sourceforge.net/faq.html
Does Potrace provide centerline tracing? Instead of tracing the contour of my image, I just want a single line in the center of each stroke.
Answer: No, Potrace is not designed to do centerline tracing, and for technical reasons, it is unlikely that this will change in the near future. ... You could try Autotrace, which has such a feature.

[su_v (suv-lp)]

> > Since Inkscape already uses potrace, why also use autotrace?
>
> One possible reason: autotrace supports centerline tracing, potrace not.

Feature request for centerline tracing of raster graphics:
Bug #211761 “Centerline tracing”

@Shriramana Sharma: Bug #171414 is about "tracing" vector objects (similar to reverting a 'Stroke to path' operation), which - AFAIU- does not necessarily involve rasterizing the vector object(s) first to then trace the rasterized version again with a centerline option.

[DavidBrennan (david-9ei9nyjpwdexk1if)]

I can't quite tell whether this autotrace feature is being added to Inkscape, but I would just like to note that I think it would be immensely useful to many people because of the Centerline Trace ability.

[Patrick Storz (ede123)]

Another reason why including autotrace is a good idea:

Autotrace produces much more pleasing outlines than potrace. Potrace tends to blunt all edges of a source. This is especially annoying when trying to trace schematics and other graphical content which includes sharp straight lines with angled interesections.

While my first tests with autotrace revealed some weaknesses in terms of artifacts and accuracy, edges were nicely reproduced and straight lines actually came out straigh most of the time.

[Jürgen Weigert (jnweiger)]

Here is an inkscape extension that make great use of autotrace for centerline tracing of bitmaps:

https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace

Ready to use *.deb packages are available https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace/releases