Image Tracing Advice Needed

[budwzr]

Can somebody try and trace this image into an SVG? I'm having a hard time. I just want the actual sign outline, sans the noise. Thanks for any advice too.

[poisondeathray]

Go to Google images and find a clean sign (there are plenty). Use that to autotrace

Or use Google
http://www.vecteezy.com/signs-symbols/39025-sign-vector-for-las-vegas-sign-

[budwzr]

Yeah, true.

But the real sign has a star animation that loops, and I was thinking to replicate that. I have three stills each with a different part of the star. Hahaha, maybe not worth the effort though.

[pandy]

Despeckle (remove isolated pix) + Erode(Gimp) - normally Dilate

[budwzr]

Despeckle (remove isolated pix) + Erode(Gimp) - normally Dilate

Thanks, but no luck. I do like Gimp though.

[pandy]

in other words - remove isolated pixels (noise), make lines thicker (like Gaussian blur + treshold), perhaps additionally erode (which works in gimp like normally dilute works - perhaps error in gimp)


also for tracing high resolution bitmap should be used - perhaps some resizing algorithm for bitonal - palette-pixel art graphics can be used (Sal, Eagle etc) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_scaling#Pixel_art_scaling_algorithms

[poisondeathray]

Were you more interested in how to get a good trace ?
-unless the source is perfect, you usually have to make some small manual adjustments
-even if the source is "perfect" - all autotracing algorithms make mistakes especially on curves and fine intersections - so you still have to make adjustments

Or were you more interested in ways to do the animation ? What is this for ?

[budwzr]

Or were you more interested in ways to do the animation ? What is this for ?

It's a learning experience. I was thinking to skin SVG's of each element, but my source images are not working out. I think the main problem is I'm out of the normal range of doability. The images are too murky, not crisp and clean.

[budwzr]

....also for tracing high resolution bitmap should be used - perhaps some resizing algorithm for bitonal - palette-pixel art graphics can be used (Sal, Eagle etc) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_scaling#Pixel_art_scaling_algorithms

Over my head...zoop... Thanks anyway.

[budwzr]

Actually, this is a better idea. Maybe cartoon it? And then just use the video. I want something surreal, but highly recognizable. This look also solves the "dirty tint" issue with the white background.

[budwzr]

Here we go, BINGO! I moved the Bright/Contrast ahead of the convolve. Love it, perfect.

[budwzr]

Me Likey. The YT version is soft, but the link is sharp. It's good for looping.

[budwzr]

Wow! I really love this Gimp program. I'm not an artist, but it lets me make art easily. Unbelievable, the tools and options.