Tracing a 5 color logo in Inkscape

Here I show you how to trace a clipart image and make colored layers from it. Sometimes just tracing isn't enough if the layers created are not how you want them to be cut.

[@JohnColgan.]

Best instruction for colour separation in image trace, and I've been using Inkscape 3-4 years for SVG to CNC!!

[@woodprojectswithalex2692]

After almost three years of this project that you presented to us, it is still helpful for anyone who wants to fix its issue with the Inkscape tracing project. Thanks for sharing that with us.

[@chrisnwendyduncan]

This is the best in depth video (and focused), not talking 100mph and going back and forth because you forgot something.. Thank you for a great video!! I won't be using this for vinyl; however, I will be for screen printing and this is just exactly what I needed!!!

[@amorde1]

This is great!! Step by step and slow enough to understand FINALLY! Thank you!

[@mayfl0w3r]

Thank you so much for your videos! You're so thorough and straight to the point👍

[@dorothyatkinson7945]

Finally one I understood. The only change I'd like is using the menu more than key commands. But definitely a video I will refer to again. 😊

[@elizabethbages3094]

just wanted to drop a quick note and say thanks for this. very clear and easy to follow.

[@XxWakeboarder911xX]

Thank you sooo much! This video helped me so much. I just got my first vinyl cutter the other day... I tried stacking 2 vectors for a one color sticker (I just used 2 separate colors for the different vectors and the machine cut the stacked vector twice making for an ugly edge finish) this video was exactly what I needed. Thank you

[@MrStudzdog]

Thanks Wendy, big help. Been looking for inexpensive software to color separate and thanks to you I found it.

[@sherrimilkie8834]

The best instructions for this !!! Thank you.

[@dawnthomas2475]

Seriously...FINALLY! I have been at my wits end trying to figure out LAYERS! My neck hurts from watching so many you tube videos. Your explanation was great! I might finally be able to do some layered pieces with my Cricut! I totally subscribed and will watch your videos from now on!

[@anthonysegura5385]

Dawn Thomas would you have to line them all up perfectly after you print it with the cricut? I imagine that would be difficult.

[@VRRother]

This was the first video that really explained how to do what I wanted. Well done video! Thank you

[@justinebeachley2860]

I LOVE your videos. Thank you so very much for sharing these. They are extremely helpful.

[@teresacrawford5651]

Perfect!! Thanks so much for a simple and clear instruction!

[@michellehiltabrand2858]

Thank you so much!! This helped me so much. I was about to give up until I found this video.

[@johnagorman]

If you make videos again, could you do one on how you physically align and layer your vinyl? thank you!

[@MzzzTbaby]

The best tutorial. Quick, clean, and straight to the point. Very easy to follow. #newsubscriber

[@unoempower9128]

hey aweosome vid thanks for sharing!

[@sofiakatsiati2204]

Finally a helpful tutorial! Thank you very much!

[@7lbaylor]

wow this is awesome thanks one of the best been searching since July 17

[@hottrizzle]

You make it seem all to easy...🎈

[@williampowell239]

finally something usefull and easy to follow thanks

[@colleenmarvin1320]

Thank you so much this was an extremely helpful video!!

[@chillinwithladychil713]

your video was very educational..i learned some really useful stuff that stimulated my creative flow..thanks!

[@olemissjim]

What a nice tutorial... very helpful. Thanks.

[@dkthom89]

Thank you! This is just what I needed

[@vizcarraviscarra2441]

Awsome!!!! Tutorial thank you

[@sassykins13]

Omg yes thank you I needed this!

[@easymoney2276]

very well explained. thank you very much.

[@rebeccac1127]

Loved your video! Thanks!

[@mrcinpro8403]

finally someone that makes sense!

[@sorstudios]

MAN OH MAN AWESOMENESS!!! Thought I had to spend $400 on coreldraw for my graphtec ce6000

[@miguelsalas9486]

Thank you - very simple and easy to follow with your explanation. Had been trying to do some logos bu I wasn't able to follow others' explanations and some of the details were missing. Occasionally I get a BORDER/BAND around an area that I fill. As an example on titans my light blue had a RED-ish border. How do i make it the same light blue color? It must have something to do with FILL AND STROKE window but i can't figure it out.

[@lisalightjunkie]

Thanks so much Wendy !

[@phayouthanoulith3281]

excellent! easy enough

[@d.turner6872]

Very useful, thanks.

[@smcgee83]

Thank you, this helped.

[@michaelyi1725]

Very helpful!

[@johnagorman]

Thanks for another great video Wendy. I just learned your technique of using the Fill tool to define the objects for each layer (vs mucking with the path tools). Very helpful. I also like the ease with which you move objects out of the way. I always worry about realignment, but you demonstrate that it really isn't a big deal. Re Plain SVG vs Inkscaoe SVG. After I saw you save as plain svg the first time, i read the specs. Inkscape SVG adds tags for Inkscape to save certain elements making it easier for you to edit later. Programs not Inkscape should just ignore the tags and data. Have you had problems with this?

[@slytheringirl27]

When I select paint bucket and click on a color it does nothing. I'm watching that part over and over to see if I missed something. I made sure I clicked off the image before hitting paint bucket. I'm kinda stuck 😭

[@B.m.523]

same here

[@chicagocgf773]

love the video! But I wonder if you could save yourself some time by unchecking "stack scans" in the trace bitmap window?

[@cathymiller9746]

great!

[@vizcarraviscarra2441]

I trouble saving it wouldn't come up as anything on my LXI program any printers

[@Jinjoducky]

THANKS!!!

[@amandanovitasari1557]

thank you

[@christiejennings718]

I'm trying to do the Astros logo, and when lining up the elements, I am getting background blue bits coming through. When I try to line them up, I get a node to node little pop up screen. Is there anyway to improve the way they line up and not have the system try to do it for me by matching up nodes?

[@stacietrevino8707]

Anytime I click shift and try to select the pieces it only selects one piece. I’m about to cry!

[@vizcarraviscarra2441]

The layers are going behind the dark blue do know why

[@lisabowling2652]

I Couldn’t get a layer to go above one where it was supposed to go.. How do i do that??

[@113dmg9]

Could "align" have been used to layer these on top of each other?

[@rugar9california187]

Thankyou ✔🏁🏁🏁

[@enlacesonline]

Great and very useful video, thanks. Just a question how I send my design to the cutter? Thanks in advance.

[@tamiwalker1016]

It depends on which cutter you have. If you have a Cricut you have to upload your ready design to Design Space.

[@mohanmohan-mz8vx]

which version you are using

[@neverreaward3269]

Hi Wendy I'm having trouble wish my layering I have an image that has 4 layers. How could I send my image to u to show u what I'm having a problem with.

[@viscarrasboys3409]

Does any one have LXI because for some reason I can't transfer a file from inkscape to LXI(signwarehouse) can anyone help with this problem.

[@louiseclaire219]

Hi just a question, once you have the image vectorized and grouped can you just save it then? why do you drag out all the different layers and recolour them ? also when i do save the file as plain svg or Inkscape svg, it doesn't save as a picture. When i click into what i just saved it reopens the image ive been working on in inkscape, but dosent actually save as a file/picture.

[@WendyEdwardsPA]

Hi Louise. You technically can save it after you've traced it, it's a vector file, but as you can see, the layers you get tend to be a mess. They're not really anything you could cut and layer unless you wanted to really stack a bunch of almost identical layers, which would kinda suck to do and waste a lot of material. You want each layer to be only what you need it to be. And once you save it, it's an svg, so it will only open in software that can open that format. If you want it to be a picture, you can instead either save it as a pdf or export as a png, then it will be able to be opened and viewed anywhere. Hope that helps, thanks!

[@louiseclaire219]

Wendy Edwards oh I see, great! thanks for your help ☺

[@streetcarjay]

TENNESSEE TITANS? Boooooooooo!!! Go Green Bay Packers!!!!

[@jimbob2706]

thank you