PathSnapper

Guide Guide 3 of 4

Output: curves, points and export

Tune how closely the curves follow the image, check them against the original, edit single points, and export the right file.

The Output step is the finished vector. Here you decide how it is drawn, check it, tidy individual points with the node editor, and export.

For what every setting and file format means, see Output options explained.

Tune the curves

  1. Turn on Points above the canvas to see every anchor.
  2. Drag Curve complexity towards Fewer points for smoother, lighter curves, or towards More detail to follow the image closely.
  3. Path smoothing decides how sharp a turn must be to stay a corner; towards Smoother, gentle corners become curves.

The Result panel counts the anchors, curves and file size as you go.

Check it against the original

  1. Choose Compare with a slider (the view buttons above the canvas) and drag the handle across the artwork.
  2. Side by side shows the original and the vector next to each other.
  3. Ghost (O) lays the original under the vector in violet: wherever violet shows, the paths have missed some ink.

See how faithful it is

  1. The Fidelity panel scores every trace against your image: how much of it the vector really reproduces, area by area.
  2. If any area is under 90%, the Honesty check opens and says why, usually strokes too thin for the image to show their shape, and how much larger an image of the same artwork would trace faithfully.
  3. Show on the result outlines those areas, with their scores. Nothing stops you exporting: the check tells you, it does not decide for you.

Edit points with the node editor

  1. Choose Nodes (A). Click a point, or drag a box round several.
  2. Drag points and their handles. With Snap on (U), a point lines up with the others and handles lie flat; hold Ctrl (⌘) to move freely.
  3. Double-click a curve to add a point. Double-click a point, or use Corner and Smooth, to switch its type.
  4. Delete removes a point and refits the curve through where it was.

Shapes that share an edge share its points, so moving one never opens a gap.

Shared edges: edit once, nothing to repair

PathSnapper traces every boundary once and shares it between the shapes on either side, so neighbouring shapes always meet exactly.

  1. Choose Nodes (A) and double-click an edge where two colours meet to add a point, or pick one already on it.
  2. Drag it. Both shapes follow the same edge: one grows as the other gives way, with no gap and no overlap.
  3. Switch to Outline to see why: where two colours meet there is one line, not two.

Preserving shared boundaries means you don't have to spend your time repairing the artwork after editing. It matters most where colours meet edge to edge, as with Cut-outs (under Advanced) for vinyl and screen printing.

Export the right file

  1. Set Made for: Print and design offers PDF first, Web and screens SVG, and Cutting and plotting DXF with flat colours and closed outlines only.
  2. Open the export menu to choose PDF, AI, EPS, SVG or DXF. Each format notes anything it can’t keep.
  3. Use Save as project to come back later with every edit in place.

Try it on your own artwork

Every technique here works on the sample in the app, or on your own logo.

Try it free

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