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visioncortex/vtracer

Open-source Rust tool that converts raster images like JPG and PNG into compact SVG vector graphics, usable as a CLI, desktop app, or library.

Open-source alternative to:Adobe Illustrator

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What is it?

VTracer converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into SVG vector graphics. It handles both graphics and photographs, tracing curves into compact vector files. The project positions itself against Potrace, which it says is slower on colored images, and against Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace, whose output it describes as larger.

The project is designed for high-resolution scans such as historic blueprints up to gigapixels, and also handles low-resolution pixel art. Version 1.0 adds seam-free cutout mosaics, curve simplification, watershed clustering, adaptive black-and-white thresholding, and fixed palette snapping.

It is available as a command-line tool, a desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, and as libraries for Rust, Python, and Node.js (WebAssembly, no native dependency).

Key features

  • 01Converts JPG and PNG raster images into SVG vector files.
  • 02Supports colored images, line art, and photographs.
  • 03Curve simplification reduces node count and file size.
  • 04Adaptive Bradley–Roth thresholding handles uneven scan lighting.
  • 05Fixed color palettes let output snap to chosen colors.
  • 06Available as CLI, desktop app, and Rust, Python, and Node.js libraries.

Use cases

  • Digitizing scanned line art or historic blueprints into scalable vectors.
  • Converting pixel art or logos into SVG for web or print use.
  • Batch vectorizing images inside a Python or Node.js pipeline.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install the console app from source with Cargo

    cargo install vtracer-cli
  2. 2

    Convert a raster image to SVG

    ./vtracer input.jpg output.svg

Things to know

  • Version 1.0.0 is still an alpha release.
  • The README documents a Rust-based toolchain; the CLI requires building with Cargo for source installs.

Topics

#vector-graphics#svg#image-processing#rust#raster-to-vector#python#wasm#image-procesing

FAQ

What is vtracer?
Open-source Rust tool that converts raster images like JPG and PNG into compact SVG vector graphics, usable as a CLI, desktop app, or library. VTracer converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into SVG vector graphics. It handles both graphics and photographs, tracing curves into compact vector files. The project positions itself against Potrace, which it says is slower on colored images, and against Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace, whose output it describes as larger.
Is vtracer free to use? What license does it have?
vtracer is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is vtracer still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to vtracer was on Oct 17, 2026.
What can I use vtracer for?
Digitizing scanned line art or historic blueprints into scalable vectors. Converting pixel art or logos into SVG for web or print use. Batch vectorizing images inside a Python or Node.js pipeline.
How do I install vtracer?
Install the console app from source with Cargo: cargo install vtracer-cli Convert a raster image to SVG: ./vtracer input.jpg output.svg
Where can I get vtracer?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/visioncortex/vtracer

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

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