convert a bitmap image to a vectorized PDF using mkbitmap and potrace

Warning

This post is certainly obsolete...

  • it' a snap to install using MacPorts

    $ port info potrace
    potrace @1.8 (graphics)
    Variants:             a4_default, metric_default, universal
    
    Description:          Potrace is a utility for tracing a bitmap, which means, transforming a bitmap into a smooth, scalable image. The
                          input is a bitmap (PBM, PGM, PPM, or BMP), and the default output is one of several vector file formats. A
                          typical use is to create EPS files from scanned data, such as company or university logos, handwritten notes,
                          etc. The resulting image is not jaggy like a bitmap, but smooth. It can then be rendered at any resolution.
    Homepage:             http://potrace.sourceforge.net/
    
    Library Dependencies: zlib
    Platforms:            darwin
    License:              unknown
    Maintainers:          nomaintainer@macports.org
    manga:~ lup$ port variants potrace
    potrace has the variants:
       a4_default: compile potrace with A4 as the default page size.
       metric_default: compile potrace with centimeters as the default unit  instead of inches.
       universal: Build for multiple architectures
  • to install

    sudo port install potrace +a4_default +metric_default
  • check man pages and open your input for inspection

    man mkbitmap
    man potrace
    open dubout.png
  • you can use directly this workflow

    convert dubout.png ppm:- | mkbitmap -f 2 -s 2 -t 0.48 | potrace -t 5 --progress -b pdf -o dubout.pdf
  • but convert being what it is, first do

    convert dubout.png dubout.ppm
  • to take some more time fine tuning parameters:

    cat dubout.ppm | mkbitmap  -t 0.48 | potrace -t 15 --progress -b pdf -o dubout.pdf
  • in particular, the -x option resets defaults:

    cat dubout.ppm | mkbitmap  -x -s 2 -3 -t 0.5 | potrace -t 25 --progress -b pdf -o dubout.pdf
  • wait and ... enjoy!

Please Note
This is a code snippet.