images visible in outline mode

[Bug Importer]

In illustrator there is a feature in layers that allows you to import a
scanned sketch, etc.. and turn on this feature called Template. You can
also adjust the opacity of that layer. By choosing the Template option for
that layer your imported bitmap image is viewable when you are working in
outline mode. This is very helpful when you are 'tracing' a drawing.
Currently in Inkscape when you turn on outline mode there is not a way to
keep your bitmap image visible so that you can use the bezier tool to
outline.

[Buliabyak-users (buliabyak-users)]

Originator: NO

so why turn on outline then? just trace it in the normal mode

[Bug Importer (bug-importer)]

The reason to use outline mode is to be able to see what you are tracing
if you are using fills. Say if you trace a silhouette of an image then
outline parts to fill in with color it is difficult to see what you are
doing. As an artist it is very handy to set a bitmap of a sketch as a
template, turn on outline mode select a color, then trace with the bezier
tool. The color fill obviously doesn't show up unless you turn outline mode
off. This way the fill does not obscure what you are tracing. You can
toggle outline mode off and on to see the progress you are making. It's a
very handy feature to have.

[Buliabyak-users (buliabyak-users)]

Originator: NO

i think it's just as easy to trace with a stroke without fill, then just
click on a color when you want to see it filled, then just middle-click the
fill swatch in statusbar to remove the fill again.

[Giggashrume (giggashrume)]

Originator: NO

I have done it that way; but I find that I am faster in Illustrator
proceeding with the template mode. If you decide to implement this feature
I will help in any way that I can.

[John Cliff (johncliff)]

having done some manual traces, the ability to show bitmaps in outline is something I'd appreciate from a workflow point of view.