Inkscape is a free vector graphics program with which I've had a lot of fun manipulating art made in Gimp. My experience with Inkscape is very limited-- I understand the bare minimum required to vector graphics, and I am still learning how to use the program to its full capacity. When a picture is "vectored" the data is saved in such a way that you can scale your image up and down without loss in clarity and resolution. Raster images (like photos) become pixellated if you grow or shrink them too far because the computer does not know how to fill in the missing information, and by approximating the values the image becomes blurry. I may not be taking advantage of the practical applications for vector images but I have a lot of fun using the filters to manipulate images I already have in new and interesting ways.
Let's get going
Instructions, condensed:
* Open image with Inkscape
> I use "link image" option
* Click to select your image
* Path> Trace Bitmap
* Play with settings in dialog box until desired effect is reached
> Execute Trace
* Object> Ungroup
* Move picture to the side and delete original from background
* Ctrl+A to select all of the layers and move back into picture area
* Save As (file name) .svg
* OR File> Export Bitmap-- pick how large or small you want the image to be and it will export as a .png or .jpg
(You can now choose to play with the image effects, the picture will look different depending on whether you group or ungroup)
* Open image with Inkscape
> I use "link image" option
* Click to select your image
* Path> Trace Bitmap
* Play with settings in dialog box until desired effect is reached
> Execute Trace
* Object> Ungroup
* Move picture to the side and delete original from background
* Ctrl+A to select all of the layers and move back into picture area
* Save As (file name) .svg
* OR File> Export Bitmap-- pick how large or small you want the image to be and it will export as a .png or .jpg
(You can now choose to play with the image effects, the picture will look different depending on whether you group or ungroup)
In the slideshow below I take you through my process of vectoring a strawberry face needlepoint I made. The first half takes place in Gimp as I fix up my existing image, then all of the above instructions are featured over screenshots of my work.
This is all great stuff, but you don't need to have any artistic skill to make excellent images. The slideshow below shows what I can do with some simple flowers painted in Gimp.
Learning some Inkscape basics will only add to your repertoire of skills and creating interesting art by bouncing between Gimp and Inkscape is easy. What I find most impressive are the dimensional effects Inkscape is able to render. Though at this time I am only scratching the surface of this programs capabilities I am certainly enjoying the learning experience.