Trace Image

The Trace Image dialog converts a raster object into vector paths. The original image can be kept or deleted when the trace is created.

When it opens

Menu: Image → Trace Image (or Alt+T), with a raster image selected.

The preview draws the source image and traced paths together. It reports the number of paths found and updates after trace settings change.

Use the -, Fit, 100%, and + controls to change zoom.
Use the mouse wheel to zoom around the pointer.
Hold Space and drag to pan. This also works while a numeric field has focus.
Drag normally in the preview to select a rectangular trace boundary.
Clear Boundary returns to tracing the full image.
Fade Image reduces the source image opacity so the trace is easier to inspect.
Show Points draws visible square markers at the traced path nodes.

Field	Range	Notes
Cutoff	0 to 255	Low-end cutoff used before tracing.
Threshold	0 to 255	Brightness split between foreground and background.
Ignore Less Than	0 to 100	Removes small isolated regions.
Smoothness	0 to 1.334	Controls corner smoothing.
Optimize	0 to 2	Controls curve optimization tolerance.

Trace Transparency: include transparency when deciding what to trace.
Sketch Trace: use the sketch-oriented trace mode.
Delete image after trace: remove the source raster after the vector result is created. This is on by default.

The dialog is movable and resizable.
The preview is debounced while settings change.
The newly traced paths are selected after creation.
Use Show Points and zoom to judge whether the trace has more nodes than needed.