this post was submitted on 07 Mar 2024
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I know this might be a bit too specific, but I'll ask anyway.

Is there any FOSS app for Android that supports tracing photos that can export the trace to SVG? I suppose this means it would have to support layers, and also support the ability to export individual layers instead of the whole project as SVG.

The intent is to use my Galaxy Tab with S-pen to trace objects in a photo in order create an SVG I can import into an app like Carbide Create (not FOSS either, but it's all I know how to sorta use at the moment) for cutting on a CNC. An example is a photo of one of my chickens. I wanted to turn this photo into a silhouette of said chicken and be able to cut that on a plank of wood. I did try Inkscape, but due to the background elements it would not pick up just the chicken during the "Trace Bitmap" operation. And honestly seems like a shame to not be able to use the S-pen for this type of project.

I run Linux on my home PC and I'm not sure if it will support using the tablet like a drawing tablet (Wacom type) like Windows can, but I suppose that is an option.

I looked at Infinite Design (not FOSS) but could not seem to find a free trace tool. There is a "pen" tool, but it wants to constrain it to a line and then you sorta pull the curves out of it. I apologize, I'm not really sure what all of the terms are.

I also looked at Excalidraw, which while being web app, runs reasonably well on Android. But some of the functions either don't work at all or I'm doing something wrong. I was able to import a photo and trace it, but couldn't find a way to export just the trace outline.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

See? This is why I asked. I figured if nothing else, someone would have a better idea than what I've been trying! That totally works! I'll have to try it more to see if it can do what I want. Thanks!

EDIT: yep, this idea works!