1 Potrace is a utility for tracing a bitmap, which means, transforming
2 a bitmap into a smooth, scalable image. The input is a bitmap (PBM,
3 PGM, PPM, or BMP), and the default output is one of several vector
4 file formats. A typical use is to create EPS files from scanned
5 data, such as company or university logos, handwritten notes, etc.
6 The resulting image is not "jaggy" like a bitmap, but smooth. It can
7 then be rendered at any resolution.
9 Potrace can currently produce the following output formats: EPS,
10 PostScript, SVG (scalable vector graphics), PGM (for easy
11 antialiasing of pixel-based images), and XFig. An experimental
12 Gimppath backend is also provided. Additional backends might be added
15 A separate program, mkbitmap, is also provided. This program can act
16 as a pre-processor for potrace, applying scaling and various filters
17 to an image before converting it to a bitmap. This is useful for
18 potracing greyscale and color images.