What You'll Master
- • How VTracer WebAssembly engine works
- • Complete breakdown of all 11 conversion parameters
- • Best practices for different image types
- • Optimization techniques for quality vs file size
- • Troubleshooting common conversion issues
- • Advanced workflows for professional results
How Image-to-SVG Conversion Works
Our Image-to-SVG converter uses VTracer, a powerful WebAssembly-based vectorization engine that runs directly in your browser. Unlike server-side solutions, this provides instant feedback and complete privacy for your images.
The VTracer Process
Image Analysis
VTracer analyzes your image pixel by pixel, identifying colors, edges, and shapes.
Color Clustering
Similar colors are grouped together based on your clustering mode and precision settings.
Path Tracing
Edges are traced and converted to mathematical curves and paths using your path mode settings.
SVG Generation
Clean, optimized SVG code is generated with proper layer organization and structure.
Getting Started with Image Conversion
Step-by-Step Process
1. Generate or Upload Image
Start by generating an image from a text prompt, or use the dedicated Image-to-SVG page to upload your own image.
2. Access SVG Settings
After generation, click the "SVG Settings" tab to access VTracer configuration options.
3. Adjust Parameters
Fine-tune the conversion settings based on your image type and desired output quality.
4. Apply & Download
Click "Apply Settings" to regenerate the SVG, then download your optimized vector graphic.
Basic Parameters Explained
The basic parameters control the fundamental aspects of your conversion. These settings have the most impact on your final result.
Clustering Mode
Determines how colors are grouped during conversion. This is one of the most important settings.
Binary Mode
Converts images to black and white only. Perfect for:
- • Line drawings and sketches
- • Text and documents
- • Simple logos with high contrast
- • Silhouettes and stencils
Color Mode
Preserves full color information. Ideal for:
- • Colorful illustrations
- • Photographs
- • Complex artwork
- • Brand logos with multiple colors
Pro Tip
Start with Color mode for most images. Switch to Binary if you want a simplified, high-contrast result.
Layer Structure
Controls how SVG layers are organized and how shapes interact with each other.
Stacked
Layers are placed on top of each other. Best for:
- • Most photographs and illustrations
- • Images with overlapping elements
- • Complex compositions
- • When you want to edit layers separately
Cutout
Inner shapes cut holes in outer shapes. Perfect for:
- • Logos with negative space
- • Icons with holes or cutouts
- • Stencil-style designs
- • Minimalist graphics
Color Precision (1-8)
Controls the number of colors in the final SVG. Higher values preserve more colors but increase file size.
Lower Values (1-3)
- • Smaller file sizes
- • Faster processing
- • Simplified color palette
- • Good for logos and icons
Higher Values (6-8)
- • More color accuracy
- • Larger file sizes
- • Better for photographs
- • Preserves gradients
Noise Reduction (0-20)
Removes small artifacts and noise from the image. Higher values remove more noise but may lose fine details.
0-5: Minimal
Keeps most details, some noise may remain
6-12: Balanced
Good balance between detail and cleanliness
13-20: Aggressive
Very clean result, may lose fine details
Important
Start with lower values (4-8) and increase gradually. High values can remove important details.
Advanced Parameters
These advanced settings give you fine-grained control over the conversion process. Adjust these after you're comfortable with the basic parameters.
Path Mode
Determines how paths are represented in the SVG. This affects both appearance and file size.
Spline
Smooth curves using Bézier paths
- • Best for organic shapes
- • Smooth, flowing lines
- • Smaller file sizes
- • Default recommendation
Polygon
Straight line segments only
- • Sharp, angular shapes
- • Good for geometric designs
- • Larger file sizes
- • More precise edges
None
No path optimization
- • Raw pixel data
- • Largest file sizes
- • Most accurate to original
- • Rarely recommended
Layer Difference (1-255)
Controls the color difference threshold for creating new layers. This directly affects how many layers your SVG will have.
Lower Values (1-50)
- • More layers created
- • Better color separation
- • Larger file sizes
- • More editing flexibility
Higher Values (100-255)
- • Fewer layers created
- • Colors merged together
- • Smaller file sizes
- • Simpler structure
Corner Threshold (0-180°)
Controls the angle threshold for detecting corners. This affects how smooth or sharp your paths will be.
Lower Values (0-60°)
Detects more corners, creates sharper paths
- • Sharp, angular results
- • Good for geometric shapes
- • More path points
- • Larger file sizes
Higher Values (90-180°)
Fewer corners detected, smoother curves
- • Smooth, flowing results
- • Good for organic shapes
- • Fewer path points
- • Smaller file sizes
Length Threshold (0-20)
Minimum path length to keep. Shorter paths are removed to simplify the SVG and reduce file size.
Recommended Values by Image Type
Path Precision (1-16)
Controls the precision of path coordinates. Higher values create more precise paths but increase file size.
Lower Precision (1-4)
- • Faster processing
- • Smaller file sizes
- • Slightly less accurate
- • Good for web use
Higher Precision (8-16)
- • More accurate paths
- • Larger file sizes
- • Better for print
- • Professional quality
Max Iterations (1-50)
Maximum number of optimization iterations. Higher values produce better quality but take longer to process.
Best Practices by Image Type
Line Drawings & Sketches
- • Clustering Mode: Binary
- • Color Precision: 1-2
- • Noise Reduction: 8-15
- • Path Mode: Spline
- • Corner Threshold: 30-60°
Simple Logos
- • Clustering Mode: Color
- • Color Precision: 3-5
- • Noise Reduction: 10-20
- • Layer Structure: Cutout
- • Layer Difference: 50-100
Icons & Symbols
- • Clustering Mode: Color
- • Color Precision: 2-4
- • Noise Reduction: 15-20
- • Path Mode: Polygon
- • Length Threshold: 5-10
Photographs
- • Clustering Mode: Color
- • Color Precision: 6-8
- • Noise Reduction: 2-6
- • Layer Structure: Stacked
- • Max Iterations: 20-30
Complex Illustrations
- • Clustering Mode: Color
- • Color Precision: 5-7
- • Noise Reduction: 4-8
- • Layer Difference: 20-50
- • Path Precision: 8-12
Text & Documents
- • Clustering Mode: Binary
- • Color Precision: 1
- • Noise Reduction: 10-15
- • Corner Threshold: 20-40°
- • Length Threshold: 2-5
Troubleshooting Common Issues
SVG Looks Too Simplified
Possible Causes:
- • Color precision too low
- • Noise reduction too high
- • Layer difference too high
Solutions:
- • Increase color precision to 6-8
- • Reduce noise reduction to 2-4
- • Lower layer difference to 10-30
File Size Too Large
Possible Causes:
- • Too many colors preserved
- • Too many layers created
- • High path precision
Solutions:
- • Reduce color precision to 3-5
- • Increase layer difference to 50-100
- • Lower path precision to 4-6
Conversion Taking Too Long
Possible Causes:
- • Too many iterations
- • High precision settings
- • Complex image with many details
Solutions:
- • Reduce max iterations to 5-10
- • Lower path precision to 4-6
- • Increase noise reduction to simplify
Optimization Tips
For Web Use
- • Keep color precision at 4-6
- • Use moderate noise reduction (6-10)
- • Path precision of 6-8 is sufficient
- • Optimize for smaller file sizes
- • Test at different screen sizes
For Print Use
- • Use higher color precision (6-8)
- • Lower noise reduction (2-6)
- • Higher path precision (10-16)
- • More iterations for quality (20-30)
- • Test at actual print size
Pro Workflow Tips
- • Start with default settings
- • Adjust one parameter at a time
- • Use "Apply Settings" to see changes
- • Save successful configurations
- • Test different clustering modes first
- • Fine-tune color precision next
- • Adjust noise reduction last
- • Use reset button to start over
Master Image-to-SVG Conversion
With these techniques and parameter explanations, you're ready to convert any image to high-quality SVG. Start experimenting and find the perfect settings for your projects!