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Potrace(TM) for Linux 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 format), and the default output is an encapsulated PostScript file (EPS). 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.

Potrace for Linux can currently produce the following output formats: EPS, PostScript, PDF, SVG (scalable vector graphics), Xfig, Gimppath, and PGM (for easy antialiasing). Additional backends might be added in the future.

License

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.

Usage

potrace 1.12. Transforms bitmaps into vector graphics:

Usage: potrace [options] [filename...]
General options:
-h, --help - print this help message and exit
-v, --version - print version info and exit
-l, --license - print license info and exit
File selection:
filename - an input file
-o, --output filename - write all output to this file
-- - end of options; 0 or more input filenames follow
Backend selection:
-b, --backend name - select backend by name
-e, --eps - EPS backend (encapsulated PostScript) (default)
-p, --postscript - PostScript backend
-s, --svg - SVG backend (scalable vector graphics)
-g, --pgm - PGM backend (portable greymap)
-b pdf - PDF backend (portable document format)
-b pdfpage - fixed page-size PDF backend
-b dxf - DXF backend (drawing interchange format)
-b geojson - GeoJSON backend
-b gimppath - Gimppath backend (GNU Gimp)
-b xfig - XFig backend
Algorithm options:
-z, --turnpolicy policy - how to resolve ambiguities in path decomposition
-t, --turdsize n - suppress speckles of up to this size (default 2)
-a, --alphamax n - corner threshold parameter (default 1)
-n, --longcurve - turn off curve optimization
-O, --opttolerance n - curve optimization tolerance (default 0.2)
-u, --unit n - quantize output to 1/unit pixels (default 10)
-d, --debug n - produce debugging output of type n (n=1,2,3)
Scaling and placement options:
-P, --pagesize format - page size (default is letter)
-W, --width dim - width of output image
-H, --height dim - height of output image
-r, --resolution n[xn] - resolution (in dpi) (dimension-based backends)
-x, --scale n[xn] - scaling factor (pixel-based backends)
-S, --stretch n - yresolution/xresolution
-A, --rotate angle - rotate counterclockwise by angle
-M, --margin dim - margin
-L, --leftmargin dim - left margin
-R, --rightmargin dim - right margin
-T, --topmargin dim - top margin
-B, --bottommargin dim - bottom margin
--tight - remove whitespace around the input image
Color options, supported by some backends:
-C, --color #rrggbb - set foreground color (default black)