AutoTrace
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- No
- Runs on
- Linux, Mac, Windows
Summary
AutoTrace is a free desktop program that converts bitmap images into vector graphics. It can trace shape outlines or centerlines, reduce colors, and despeckle images to reduce noise. Listed input formats include PNG, BMP, TGA, PNM, and GF; adding ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick extends input support to JPEG, TIFF, GIF, and other formats. Output formats include SVG, EPS, PDF, AI, DXF, CGM, EMF, MIF, ER, and Fig. The project documents command-line conversion and use through the libautotrace library. Users can install it through package managers on macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, use Windows installers, or build it from source. A source build needs a C compiler and GLib 2.58 or newer; libpng and ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick are optional dependencies. The program uses GPL v2 or later, while the library uses LGPL v2.1 or later. The project README describes the graphical frontend as inactive.
Who it is for
AutoTrace suits users who want to convert bitmap art to vector formats through command-line workflows or the library. It is available for desktop systems including Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What is good
- Traces both outlines and shape centerlines.
- Offers color reduction and despeckling.
- Exports to SVG, EPS, PDF, and other vector formats.
- Free, with documented command-line and library use.
What to know first
- The graphical frontend is described as inactive.
- Some input formats require ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick.
- Building from source requires a C compiler and GLib 2.58 or newer.
Verdict
AutoTrace offers bitmap tracing and a broad set of vector outputs for command-line and library workflows. Users looking for a graphical interface should note that its frontend is inactive.
Compared on image vectorization software
- Free plan
- Yesgithub.com
- Tracing modes
- full-colorgithub.com
- Available platforms
- desktopgithub.com
- Vector output formats
- SVG, EPS, PDF, AI, DXF, CGM, EMF, MIF, ER, Figgithub.com
- Maximum color count
- 256 colorsgithub.com
Facts
- Purpose
- AutoTrace converts bitmap images to vector graphics.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Tracing
- It can trace outlines or centerlines of shapes.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Image cleanup
- It supports color reduction and despeckling to reduce image noise.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Input formats
- Listed input formats include PNG, BMP, TGA, PNM, and GF; ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick adds JPEG, TIFF, GIF, and other formats.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Output formats
- Listed output formats include SVG, EPS, PDF, AI, DXF, CGM, EMF, MIF, and Fig.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Usage
- The project documents command-line conversion and use through the libautotrace library.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Installation
- The README lists package-manager installation for macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, Windows installers, and building from source.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Build requirement
- Building from source requires GLib 2.58 or newer; libpng and ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick are listed as optional dependencies.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- License
- The program is licensed under GPL v2 or later, and the libautotrace library under LGPL v2.1 or later.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Support and contributions
- The README directs users to the issue tracker and welcomes contributions including bug fixes, documentation, format support, and image-editor plugins.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Release note
- The 0.31.10 release notes list ImageMagick 7 support, addressed HKUST CVEs, and Windows 32-bit and 64-bit installers.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Author
- The README names Martin Weber as the original developer and lists him under Author.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires a C compiler and GLib 2.58 or newer; libpng and ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick are listed as optional.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Licensing
- The program is licensed under GPL v2 or later and the library under LGPL v2.1 or later.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- The README directs users to the GitHub issue tracker and welcomes contributions.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Notable limitation
- The README describes the GUI frontend as inactive.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Release
- The releases page lists version 0.31.10 as the latest release.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Company
- Founded
- 1998github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Best AutoTrace alternatives
See all 20
Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi
Is AutoTrace yours?
Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.
Sources
- github.com/autotrace/autotrace· checked 28 Sept 2026
- github.com/autotrace/autotrace/releases· checked 28 Sept 2026