VectorEZ FAQ

General Questions

What is image vectorization?

Vectorization, sometimes called image tracing, is the process of converting a raster image, meaning an array of pixels (or a bitmap image), to vector graphics.

Vector grahics images are defined mathematically by a set of curves, points and vectors. They are usually very light-weight compared to bitmaps, and can be scaled in or out indefinitely. Vector graphics image formats, such as SVG, are convenient for logos, icons, cartoon drawings, technical drawings, etc.

Who is using vectorization?

There are many use cases for vectorization. Professionals, hobbyists, and tinkerers all use vector graphics in their work, including:

  • Graphic designers to create logos, illustrations, icons that scale perfectly.
  • Web designers who need SVG images because they are both very lightweight and they work across all screen sizes.
  • Artists who want to create a vector illustration from a sketch or simple drawing
  • Print shops. The printing process (on paper or on fabric) often require a clen vector file as input
  • DIY creators:
    • Laser cutting and laser engraving machines read a vector file as input.
    • A common use case in 3D-printing is to extract a 2D silhouette in vector format, then extrude it to obtain a 3D model.

Why do I need to register to this website?

Registration is required to buy our products so that we can provide you, the user, with the following services:

  • Access to a download page to update the purchased software in the future.
  • Generate a private license key, required to use the product.
During the registration process we collect only the personnal data that is necessary to identify the user and provide those services. The data are processed by us only to the extent which is necessary to provide our services. For more information please read the Data Privacy Policy section of the terms of service.

About VectorEZ

How to pronounce VectorEZ?

It is pronounced "vector easy"!

What is the vectorization algorithm used in VectorEZ?

We developped our own vectorization algorithm for the purpose of VectorEZ. Our results will therefore differ from those of other image tracing tools. Many vectorization methods exist, ours performs an edge-detection filter on the image to identify contours (which are always closed in our application), discretize those countours, and finally fit mathematical curves to them (Bezier curves).

Our algorithm aims at a fast user experience. Modifying the precision of the curve fitting only recomputes the last steps of the vectorization, and lets the user watch how that affects the result in close to real-time.

What are the supported image formats?

We currenty support the following format:

Input image formats: BMP, JPEG, PNG, TGA and TIFF.

Output vector formats: SVG.

Which version of SVG is supported?

VectorEZ exports SVG 1.1 files: Scalable Vector Format (SVG) 1.1 Specification.

Product Installation

How to enter the license token?

VectorEZ is a commercial product that requires the user to purchase a license. The first time the application starts, the user is requested to copy a license token in order to use the application. The license token is saved locally and the user will only have to perform that procedure once on that machine.

To correctly register the license token please follow this procedure:

  1. Purchase the application. The license token belongs to the user that made the purchase.
  2. Go to the download page which requires the user to log in.
  3. Press the Generate token button to produce a token.
  4. Copy the token. It is a simple line of text.
  5. Download, install and launch VectorEZ application on the desktop computer.
  6. A "User License" window opens up when lauching the application. Paste the token in the text field of that window.
  7. Press the OK button, and it is done!

You can now use the full capabilities of VectorEZ.

Bug reporting

In case you notice a bug or an issue with VectorEZ, please report it by email at the following address: contact@asteridesoftware.com

  • Indicate "bug report" in the title.
  • In the core of the email indicate the platform the issue occured on, and a clear description of what happened.
  • If the issue is related to a particular input, please attach it to the email.
  • It will be most helpful to provide the log files of the application to the bug report. To do so, please locate the application data folder on your system (Please refer to the table below), zip that folder and attach it to the email.
OS Application data folder
Windows 
%LOCALAPPDATA%\AsterideSoftware\VectorEZ\
macOS 
~/Library/Application Support/AsterideSoftware/VectorEZ/
Locate the Library folder on macOS

Some folders are usually hidden to macOS users. Here is how to access the Library folder with the Go To Folder command of the Finder application:

  1. Launch the Finder app
  2. Open the menu Go → Go to folder...
  3. Input ~/Library in the Go to folder field