vectorcraft/docs/image-trace-quality.md

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Image Trace quality

Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 · Last updated: 2026-10-13 · Change: minor (Shapes: 57 to 62% of plain shapes come out as shapes when asked for; sharp corners kept 69% to 76% on Default)

What Image Trace (crates/trace) makes of images whose right answer is known, measured by a harness and compared with the numbers before each change. Nothing here is a judgement by eye, and nothing is compared with any other product except the open tracer named under Yardstick.

How it is measured

crates/trace/tests/quality draws its own inputs from vector art (no image files), traces each with every built-in preset, and measures the result:

TRACE_QUALITY_REPORT=report.md cargo test --release -p vectorcraft-trace --test quality -- --ignored

Inputs (drawn anti-aliased at 128, 256 and 512 px, and at 256 px also blurred, with compression-like noise, as a scan of ink on cream paper with uneven light and grain, and aliased: one hard sample per pixel, no anti-aliasing):

kind inputs
curved shapes a circle; two ellipses; a rounded badge with a round hole; a letter D with its counter
polygons a triangle, a turned square and a hexagon; a five-pointed star; a letter A with its counter
thin lines five lines 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 units wide (of a 256-unit square), a few degrees off the pixel grid
askew shapes a rectangle, a plus sign and two lines, each 1 to 2 degrees off level and upright
plain shapes a circle, a rectangle, a square, a rounded rectangle, an ellipse and a hexagon, each alone on white (measured from the Shapes change on, not at the baseline)
flat colour art a disc of two halves in different colours that touch; a badge of four colours on white
gradient, photo a smooth two-way gradient with a glow; a photo-like image (soft-edged shaded objects, texture, sensor noise)

The letters are drawn by hand from lines and curves: the repository has no font to set them in.

Columns

column meaning
ΔE the trace drawn again against the source: mean colour difference in Oklab × 100 (black to white is 100)
edge ΔE the same, weighted by how strong an edge the source has at each pixel
off mean, off max distance (px) from the traced outlines to the art's true outlines: wobble and staircase
missed max largest distance (px) from a true outline to the nearest traced one: what was lost
paths, anchors counts, the background's frame aside
× art anchors per anchor point of the art itself (1.00 is as economical as the original)
lines % share of the outline length made of straight segments (100 is right for polygons, 0 for a circle)
upright % share of the outline length that is exactly level or upright
corners % share of the art's sharp corners with a traced corner within 1.5 px
kinks anchors where the outline turns by 10° or more away from any true corner
odd colours, odd px paths (and their area) in a colour the art doesn't have: slivers along anti-aliased edges
gap px, overlap px area no path covers, and area covered twice (abutting traces with a white background only)
specks paths under 6 px of area
centre off, width off, anchors a stroke stroked centre lines (Create: Strokes) against the thin lines they trace: mean distance (px) from the true line's centre line, mean error (px) of the stroke width, anchors per stroked path
shapes % with Shapes on, the share of the plain shapes that came out as that shape (a shape, not a path, whose outline lies within 0.6 px of the true one)
outside px how far the trace reaches outside the image: a curve that strays

Black-and-white presets trace black: on the scanned variant their ΔE includes the paper's and ink's own colours. – means the measure does not apply; all that nothing was traced.

Baseline and now

Each preset on the inputs it is meant for, all sizes and variants.

Baseline (before any change, main at baf9693f)

preset inputs ΔE edge ΔE off mean off max missed max paths anchors × art lines % upright % corners % kinks odd colours odd px gap px overlap px specks outside px centre off width off anchors a stroke
Default circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, polygons, star, letter A 2.79 17.15 0.313 1.51 2.52 1.9 14 1.45 34 5 76 1.4 – – 63.5 67.0 0.0 0.0 – – –
High Fidelity Photo gradient, photo-like 2.30 2.63 – – – 3652.6 46866 – 84 29 – – – – 0.0 – 1169.4 0.3 – – –
Low Fidelity Photo gradient, photo-like 2.61 2.94 – – – 128.3 3867 – 42 22 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.7 – – –
3 Colors two touching halves 4.93 11.38 0.482 2.35 89.09 2.1 14 2.31 12 8 29 2.1 1.6 15418 118.0 87.3 0.0 0.0 – – –
6 Colors two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.78 8.82 4.383 83.10 30.11 21.2 270 30.18 51 40 98 213.8 2.4 272 198.8 194.6 0.0 0.3 – – –
16 Colors two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.74 9.02 5.115 86.21 4.32 69.9 923 102.80 58 47 100 765.9 5.9 670 293.7 329.9 0.0 0.5 – – –
Shades of Gray gradient, photo-like 9.29 9.16 – – – 90.8 1921 – 42 27 – – – – 0.0 – 0.2 0.5 – – –
Black and White Logo circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, polygons, star, letter A 2.76 15.96 0.270 1.76 2.53 1.4 31 3.78 90 17 81 15.3 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – –
Sketched Art circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, lines 2.85 17.04 0.302 1.63 105.63 1.8 14 1.34 28 8 18 1.4 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – –
Silhouettes circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D 3.04 21.41 0.573 2.88 2.89 1.2 10 1.16 9 7 86 1.4 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – –
Line Art lines 2.77 12.51 0.158 1.13 105.76 5.4 25 1.27 90 6 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – –
Technical Drawing polygons, star, letter A, lines, askew shapes and lines 2.73 13.67 0.210 1.43 105.76 4.7 31 2.01 100 9 85 5.9 – – – – 0.1 0.0 – – –
Flat Logo two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.43 3.53 3.106 88.50 0.78 69.9 352 38.92 38 10 80 237.0 0.0 0 13.8 – 59.1 0.2 – – –

Now (with the Shapes change)

preset inputs ΔE edge ΔE off mean off max missed max paths anchors × art lines % upright % corners % kinks odd colours odd px gap px overlap px specks outside px centre off width off anchors a stroke shapes %
Default circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, polygons, star, letter A 2.60 10.05 0.091 1.02 2.18 1.9 17 1.73 30 6 76 0.4 – – 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.55 4.99 0.141 1.33 1.21 4.0 51 3.19 39 16 91 6.0 0.0 0 1.5 1.2 0.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo gradient, photo-like 1.75 1.98 – – – 120.7 9929 – 38 36 – – – – 0.0 – 10.1 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo gradient, photo-like 2.45 2.69 – – – 37.1 2134 – 43 37 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors two touching halves 0.42 3.98 0.104 0.91 0.91 2.0 11 1.81 39 6 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.55 4.99 0.140 1.34 1.19 4.0 49 3.07 39 16 91 6.1 0.0 0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.55 4.91 0.142 1.31 1.19 4.2 63 3.87 40 16 91 7.7 0.0 0 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray gradient, photo-like 9.26 9.06 – – – 16.6 700 – 51 40 – – – – 0.0 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, polygons, star, letter A 2.59 9.46 0.064 1.02 2.17 1.4 27 2.68 42 11 76 0.3 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, lines 2.71 12.02 0.185 1.00 105.61 1.8 16 1.42 19 8 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D 2.98 19.30 0.524 2.19 2.19 1.2 14 1.64 12 9 93 0.4 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art lines 2.62 9.49 0.056 0.99 105.72 5.4 43 2.14 40 0 – – – – – – 0.1 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing polygons, star, letter A, lines, askew shapes and lines 2.71 12.14 0.178 4.21 105.64 4.7 38 2.55 81 24 78 0.8 – – – – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Outline lines 2.60 9.16 0.055 2.94 105.75 5.0 14 0.71 95 4 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.053 0.02 2.4 –
Flat Logo two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.43 3.53 3.106 88.50 0.78 69.9 352 38.92 38 10 80 237.0 0.0 0 13.8 – 59.1 0.2 – – – –
Default with Shapes plain shapes 3.18 9.53 0.102 1.00 1.00 6.0 40 1.32 41 27 – – – – 15.8 11.5 0.0 0.0 – – – 57
6 Colors with Shapes plain shapes 0.91 6.82 0.089 0.99 0.99 6.0 43 1.43 49 33 – – 0.0 0 10.2 10.9 0.0 0.0 – – – 62

The sections below are the numbers now (with the Shapes change).

1. Each preset on the inputs it is meant for

All sizes and variants (clean, aliased, blurred, noisy, scanned) of those inputs.

preset inputs ΔE edge ΔE off mean off max missed max paths anchors × art lines % upright % corners % kinks odd colours odd px gap px overlap px specks outside px centre off width off anchors a stroke shapes %
Default circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, polygons, star, letter A 2.60 10.05 0.091 1.02 2.18 1.9 17 1.73 30 6 76 0.4 – – 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.55 4.99 0.141 1.33 1.21 4.0 51 3.19 39 16 91 6.0 0.0 0 1.5 1.2 0.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo gradient, photo-like 1.75 1.98 – – – 120.7 9929 – 38 36 – – – – 0.0 – 10.1 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo gradient, photo-like 2.45 2.69 – – – 37.1 2134 – 43 37 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors two touching halves 0.42 3.98 0.104 0.91 0.91 2.0 11 1.81 39 6 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.55 4.99 0.140 1.34 1.19 4.0 49 3.07 39 16 91 6.1 0.0 0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.55 4.91 0.142 1.31 1.19 4.2 63 3.87 40 16 91 7.7 0.0 0 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray gradient, photo-like 9.26 9.06 – – – 16.6 700 – 51 40 – – – – 0.0 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, polygons, star, letter A 2.59 9.46 0.064 1.02 2.17 1.4 27 2.68 42 11 76 0.3 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D, lines 2.71 12.02 0.185 1.00 105.61 1.8 16 1.42 19 8 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes circle, ellipses, badge with a hole, letter D 2.98 19.30 0.524 2.19 2.19 1.2 14 1.64 12 9 93 0.4 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art lines 2.62 9.49 0.056 0.99 105.72 5.4 43 2.14 40 0 – – – – – – 0.1 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing polygons, star, letter A, lines, askew shapes and lines 2.71 12.14 0.178 4.21 105.64 4.7 38 2.55 81 24 78 0.8 – – – – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Outline lines 2.60 9.16 0.055 2.94 105.75 5.0 14 0.71 95 4 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.053 0.02 2.4 –
Flat Logo two touching halves, four-colour badge 0.43 3.53 3.106 88.50 0.78 69.9 352 38.92 38 10 80 237.0 0.0 0 13.8 – 59.1 0.2 – – – –
Default with Shapes plain shapes 3.18 9.53 0.102 1.00 1.00 6.0 40 1.32 41 27 – – – – 15.8 11.5 0.0 0.0 – – – 57
6 Colors with Shapes plain shapes 0.91 6.82 0.089 0.99 0.99 6.0 43 1.43 49 33 – – 0.0 0 10.2 10.9 0.0 0.0 – – – 62

2. Each preset on each kind of input (clean, three sizes)

preset inputs ΔE edge ΔE off mean off max missed max paths anchors × art lines % upright % corners % kinks odd colours odd px gap px overlap px specks outside px centre off width off anchors a stroke shapes %
Default curved shapes 0.09 3.40 0.060 0.38 0.38 1.8 14 1.57 14 14 100 0.0 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default polygons 0.06 2.37 0.041 0.47 1.26 2.0 14 1.26 88 5 95 0.0 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default thin lines 0.54 4.46 0.049 0.47 105.72 3.3 25 1.27 40 0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default askew shapes 0.16 3.29 0.044 0.34 36.06 3.7 23 0.94 100 3 – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default plain shapes 0.13 2.63 0.055 0.35 0.35 6.0 40 1.34 53 48 – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Default flat colour art 19.91 17.97 0.172 0.51 179.34 1.5 16 1.17 14 14 0 0.0 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default gradient, photo 39.03 38.64 – – – 3.2 595 – 55 41 – – – – 18.8 35.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color curved shapes 0.06 2.43 0.043 0.27 0.28 1.8 16 1.77 16 16 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color polygons 0.06 2.42 0.041 0.42 1.39 2.0 16 1.43 87 7 93 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color thin lines 0.70 5.57 0.066 0.50 105.72 5.0 38 1.88 43 3 – – 4.0 3225 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color askew shapes 0.64 3.76 0.047 0.36 9.49 4.0 24 1.00 100 3 – – 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color plain shapes 0.10 2.07 0.043 0.30 0.26 6.0 42 1.41 59 49 – – 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Auto Color flat colour art 0.13 2.72 0.057 0.31 0.30 3.0 28 2.00 43 19 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color gradient, photo 2.07 2.39 – – – 159.3 4441 – 21 8 – – – – 37.6 46.7 0.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo curved shapes 0.04 1.63 0.026 0.15 0.15 1.2 19 2.11 21 21 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo polygons 0.06 2.33 0.039 0.50 1.32 1.7 17 1.47 88 7 93 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo thin lines 0.35 6.05 0.085 0.90 4.35 40.3 348 17.42 35 9 – – 27.3 4505 0.0 – 19.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo askew shapes 0.17 3.97 0.100 0.94 1.73 8.7 157 6.54 71 5 – – 4.3 3998 0.0 – 1.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo plain shapes 0.08 1.66 0.035 0.25 0.28 6.0 50 1.68 62 51 – – 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
High Fidelity Photo flat colour art 0.14 4.16 0.029 0.20 0.20 3.5 73 4.59 35 34 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo gradient, photo 1.80 2.05 – – – 134.7 11212 – 39 37 – – – – 0.0 – 7.3 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo curved shapes 0.07 2.74 0.048 0.31 0.31 1.2 13 1.44 18 18 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo polygons 0.06 2.49 0.042 0.42 1.39 1.7 14 1.28 86 7 93 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo thin lines 0.49 5.70 0.082 0.70 45.31 7.0 56 2.80 49 11 – – 4.0 3985 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo askew shapes 0.23 4.65 0.059 0.70 21.55 6.0 42 1.76 85 3 – – 2.3 2630 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo plain shapes 0.11 2.25 0.047 0.30 0.28 6.0 41 1.38 58 48 – – 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Low Fidelity Photo flat colour art 0.15 4.25 0.044 0.28 0.28 3.5 54 3.38 31 29 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo gradient, photo 2.53 2.80 – – – 42.7 2307 – 43 37 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors curved shapes 0.07 2.74 0.048 0.31 0.31 1.8 16 1.67 15 15 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors polygons 0.06 2.49 0.042 0.42 1.39 2.0 16 1.42 86 7 93 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors thin lines 0.43 4.48 0.117 1.04 45.31 5.0 43 2.13 54 13 – – 2.0 308 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors askew shapes 0.18 3.58 0.054 0.70 14.59 4.0 25 1.04 97 3 – – 0.7 23 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors plain shapes 0.11 2.25 0.047 0.30 0.28 6.0 41 1.38 58 48 – – 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
3 Colors flat colour art 1.31 3.61 0.125 0.90 60.25 2.5 25 1.86 45 21 100 0.0 1.0 9914 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors gradient, photo 7.49 7.60 – – – 5.7 524 – 48 40 – – – – 6.9 8.7 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors curved shapes 0.06 2.43 0.043 0.27 0.28 1.8 16 1.77 16 16 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors polygons 0.06 2.40 0.041 0.42 1.39 2.0 16 1.45 86 7 93 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors thin lines 0.49 4.76 0.108 0.70 45.31 4.0 30 1.50 63 19 – – 1.7 413 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors askew shapes 0.19 3.72 0.058 0.73 36.06 4.0 25 1.06 90 3 – – 0.3 11 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors plain shapes 0.10 2.07 0.043 0.30 0.26 6.0 42 1.41 59 49 – – 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
6 Colors flat colour art 0.13 2.72 0.057 0.31 0.30 3.0 28 2.00 43 19 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors gradient, photo 5.00 5.28 – – – 13.0 829 – 37 28 – – – – 6.9 8.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors curved shapes 0.05 2.21 0.038 0.24 0.25 1.8 17 1.83 16 16 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors polygons 0.06 2.34 0.039 0.42 1.39 2.0 16 1.48 86 7 93 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors thin lines 0.39 3.90 0.113 0.70 23.53 8.7 52 2.58 56 17 – – 5.7 322 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors askew shapes 0.18 3.65 0.062 0.73 21.55 4.3 28 1.17 87 3 – – 0.7 17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors plain shapes 0.09 1.92 0.041 0.30 0.26 6.0 44 1.46 60 49 – – 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
16 Colors flat colour art 0.12 2.53 0.051 0.31 0.30 3.0 28 2.11 43 19 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors gradient, photo 3.00 3.30 – – – 47.2 2126 – 30 16 – – – – 15.2 19.6 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray curved shapes 0.07 2.70 0.047 0.31 0.31 1.2 13 1.45 18 18 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray polygons 0.06 2.28 0.039 0.41 1.26 1.7 13 1.18 89 5 95 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray thin lines 0.56 7.08 0.088 0.68 45.31 10.3 73 3.65 55 11 – – 8.0 4319 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray askew shapes 0.25 4.95 0.049 0.73 21.52 6.0 39 1.61 95 3 – – 2.3 2638 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray plain shapes 0.12 2.31 0.048 0.31 0.28 6.0 42 1.39 54 48 – – 0.0 0 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Shades of Gray flat colour art 7.33 11.24 0.257 1.47 179.39 4.7 199 18.39 22 22 50 0.3 3.7 173367 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray gradient, photo 9.71 9.55 – – – 18.3 753 – 51 41 – – – – 0.0 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo curved shapes 0.03 1.48 0.024 0.16 0.16 1.2 20 2.12 21 21 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo polygons 0.06 2.36 0.040 0.47 1.26 1.7 14 1.24 93 8 95 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo thin lines 0.59 6.00 0.105 0.50 77.21 10.3 44 2.18 90 10 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo askew shapes 0.89 20.99 0.613 4.21 9.63 4.0 25 1.03 98 98 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo plain shapes 0.08 1.56 0.033 0.31 0.30 6.0 55 1.84 58 52 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Black and White Logo flat colour art 19.90 17.76 0.157 0.30 179.51 1.0 18 1.12 23 23 0 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo gradient, photo 38.97 38.53 – – – 9.0 634 – 73 54 – – – – – – 1.2 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art curved shapes 0.14 5.71 0.110 0.46 0.46 1.2 12 1.37 16 16 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art polygons 0.12 4.71 0.085 0.37 1.08 1.7 13 1.16 86 5 93 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art thin lines 0.47 5.70 0.113 0.96 52.59 4.3 29 1.45 64 3 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art askew shapes 0.32 6.03 0.091 0.45 35.94 3.3 23 0.94 96 4 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art plain shapes 0.30 5.84 0.107 0.47 0.47 6.0 40 1.32 53 47 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Sketched Art flat colour art 20.25 19.55 0.146 1.15 179.63 1.5 26 1.53 16 16 0 0.3 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art gradient, photo 45.42 45.21 – – – 1.0 244 – 46 35 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes curved shapes 0.35 14.53 0.281 0.69 0.69 1.2 12 1.33 16 16 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes polygons 0.34 13.44 0.251 0.64 1.67 1.7 14 1.28 74 6 86 0.1 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes thin lines 0.99 13.74 0.266 0.77 18.26 5.0 30 1.50 67 12 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes askew shapes 0.58 14.93 0.297 0.55 0.55 4.0 24 1.01 95 3 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes plain shapes 0.76 15.17 0.291 0.69 0.69 6.0 39 1.29 54 46 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Silhouettes flat colour art 23.83 33.06 0.200 0.69 188.27 1.0 11 0.77 25 25 0 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes gradient, photo 61.57 61.32 – – – 0.2 2 – 47 21 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art curved shapes 0.04 1.83 0.031 0.22 0.22 1.2 16 1.70 20 20 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art polygons 0.05 2.11 0.036 0.47 1.26 1.7 14 1.26 89 5 95 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art thin lines 0.52 4.09 0.040 0.47 105.72 3.3 29 1.45 40 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art askew shapes 0.12 3.13 0.044 0.48 9.60 4.0 24 1.01 98 3 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art plain shapes 0.09 1.76 0.038 0.30 0.29 6.0 47 1.56 56 51 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Line Art flat colour art 19.90 17.83 0.162 0.42 179.43 1.0 18 1.30 21 21 0 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art gradient, photo 38.98 38.54 – – – 7.7 472 – 58 44 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing curved shapes 0.03 1.48 0.024 0.16 0.16 1.2 20 2.12 21 21 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing polygons 0.06 2.36 0.040 0.47 1.26 1.7 14 1.23 94 8 95 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing thin lines 0.50 5.46 0.109 0.50 55.93 15.3 62 3.12 86 14 – – – – – – 3.3 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing askew shapes 0.88 20.92 0.611 4.21 4.19 4.3 26 1.08 98 98 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing plain shapes 0.08 1.63 0.035 0.33 0.33 6.0 55 1.82 60 52 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Technical Drawing flat colour art 19.90 17.76 0.157 0.30 179.51 1.0 18 1.12 23 23 0 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing gradient, photo 38.94 38.51 – – – 20.0 659 – 73 51 – – – – – – 11.7 0.0 – – – –
Outline curved shapes 23.38 44.76 0.499 0.71 0.52 1.2 16 1.70 20 20 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Outline polygons 17.94 44.26 0.494 0.94 0.76 1.7 14 1.26 89 5 95 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Outline thin lines 0.52 3.89 0.038 2.94 105.73 3.3 7 0.35 100 7 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.056 0.02 2.1 –
Outline askew shapes 23.68 36.71 0.425 1.50 6.62 4.0 20 0.83 100 3 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Outline plain shapes 34.32 43.23 0.495 0.73 0.51 6.0 47 1.56 56 51 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Outline flat colour art 26.69 32.18 0.494 0.92 178.93 1.0 18 1.30 21 21 0 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Outline gradient, photo 39.38 39.18 – – – 7.5 445 – 59 43 – – – – – – 3.3 0.5 – – – –
Flat Logo curved shapes 0.06 2.14 0.036 0.25 0.25 1.8 31 3.38 19 6 100 0.0 0.0 0 6.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo polygons 0.09 3.44 0.060 0.35 1.03 2.0 35 3.17 67 0 94 0.0 0.0 0 6.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo thin lines 1.17 11.78 0.050 0.49 all 3.0 189 9.45 28 9 – – 0.0 0 5467.1 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo askew shapes 0.15 3.78 0.058 0.43 0.50 4.0 114 4.76 39 0 – – 0.0 0 6.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo plain shapes 0.16 3.09 0.061 0.30 0.27 6.0 70 2.32 57 4 – – 0.0 0 6.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
Flat Logo flat colour art 0.07 1.53 0.065 0.31 0.27 3.0 36 3.51 47 11 100 0.0 0.0 0 6.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo gradient, photo refused
Default with Shapes curved shapes 0.08 3.19 0.058 0.38 0.38 1.8 13 1.44 14 14 100 0.0 – – 12.2 7.4 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default with Shapes polygons 0.06 2.34 0.040 0.47 1.26 2.0 14 1.26 88 5 95 0.0 – – 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default with Shapes thin lines 0.54 4.53 0.049 0.52 105.72 3.3 25 1.27 40 0 – – – – 0.0 18.3 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default with Shapes askew shapes 0.17 3.85 0.050 0.37 36.06 3.7 23 0.94 100 3 – – – – 0.0 42.1 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default with Shapes plain shapes 0.13 2.62 0.055 0.35 0.34 6.0 38 1.28 55 48 – – – – 16.4 8.2 0.0 0.0 – – – 72
Default with Shapes flat colour art 19.91 17.91 0.176 0.51 179.34 1.5 16 1.01 14 14 0 0.0 – – 14.0 7.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default with Shapes gradient, photo 39.03 38.64 – – – 3.2 595 – 55 41 – – – – 18.8 35.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors with Shapes curved shapes 0.05 2.24 0.041 0.27 0.28 1.8 15 1.59 16 16 100 0.0 0.0 0 9.7 5.1 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors with Shapes polygons 0.06 2.35 0.040 0.42 1.39 2.0 16 1.45 86 7 93 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 6.1 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors with Shapes thin lines 0.49 4.78 0.108 0.70 45.31 4.0 30 1.50 63 19 – – 1.7 413 0.0 10.8 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors with Shapes askew shapes 0.20 4.24 0.064 0.73 36.06 4.0 25 1.03 99 3 – – 0.3 11 0.0 49.7 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors with Shapes plain shapes 0.10 2.00 0.042 0.30 0.26 6.0 40 1.33 59 49 – – 0.0 0 8.5 6.4 0.0 0.0 – – – 78
6 Colors with Shapes flat colour art 0.13 2.71 0.057 0.31 0.30 3.0 28 2.00 43 19 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.5 9.1 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors with Shapes gradient, photo 5.00 5.28 – – – 13.0 829 – 37 28 – – – – 7.1 8.2 0.0 0.0 – – – –

3. Each preset on its inputs, by variant (256 px)

preset variant ΔE edge ΔE off mean off max missed max paths anchors × art lines % upright % corners % kinks odd colours odd px gap px overlap px specks outside px centre off width off anchors a stroke shapes %
Default clean 0.07 2.96 0.052 0.47 1.26 1.9 14 1.43 46 10 96 0.0 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default aliased 0.37 20.23 0.233 1.02 1.35 1.9 15 1.45 21 8 96 0.0 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default blurred 0.81 16.55 0.077 0.98 2.18 1.9 24 2.39 7 5 23 1.3 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default noisy 1.74 4.55 0.056 0.46 1.25 1.9 15 1.48 40 0 96 0.0 – – 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Default scanned 15.06 20.16 0.118 0.74 2.14 1.9 25 2.49 3 0 30 1.3 – – 1.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color clean 0.13 2.72 0.057 0.31 0.30 3.0 28 2.00 43 19 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color aliased 0.29 10.43 0.298 1.00 1.00 3.0 27 2.05 43 43 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color blurred 0.61 9.30 0.211 1.33 1.21 6.0 118 6.51 41 11 50 21.0 0.0 0 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color noisy 0.85 2.62 0.075 0.32 0.32 3.0 28 2.04 35 0 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Auto Color scanned 1.73 4.43 0.230 1.20 0.94 7.0 102 5.72 30 0 88 21.0 0.0 0 9.6 7.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo clean 1.80 2.05 – – – 134.7 11212 – 39 37 – – – – 0.0 – 7.3 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo aliased 1.78 2.01 – – – 73.0 8021 – 40 38 – – – – 0.0 – 5.5 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo blurred 1.59 1.95 – – – 72.0 7450 – 40 39 – – – – 0.0 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo noisy 2.02 2.19 – – – 155.5 10670 – 33 31 – – – – 0.0 – 18.5 0.0 – – – –
High Fidelity Photo scanned 1.45 1.55 – – – 140.5 9723 – 36 35 – – – – 0.0 – 24.5 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo clean 2.53 2.80 – – – 42.7 2307 – 43 37 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo aliased 2.53 2.78 – – – 36.5 1505 – 46 38 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo blurred 2.35 2.75 – – – 29.0 1990 – 44 37 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo noisy 2.70 2.86 – – – 32.0 1972 – 43 38 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Low Fidelity Photo scanned 1.95 2.05 – – – 34.5 2550 – 42 33 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors clean 0.06 2.00 0.070 0.31 0.30 2.0 11 1.78 39 0 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors aliased 0.13 8.77 0.242 0.91 0.91 2.0 12 2.00 39 39 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors blurred 0.34 7.83 0.073 0.24 0.24 2.0 9 1.50 39 0 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors noisy 0.71 2.03 0.114 0.32 0.32 2.0 11 1.83 39 0 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
3 Colors scanned 1.57 3.22 0.089 0.30 0.30 2.0 12 2.00 39 0 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors clean 0.13 2.72 0.057 0.31 0.30 3.0 28 2.00 43 19 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors aliased 0.29 10.43 0.298 1.00 1.00 3.0 27 2.05 43 43 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors blurred 0.62 9.31 0.208 1.34 1.19 6.0 100 5.61 41 11 50 21.5 0.0 0 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors noisy 0.85 2.59 0.075 0.32 0.32 3.0 28 2.04 35 0 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 – – – –
6 Colors scanned 1.74 4.42 0.229 1.20 0.94 7.0 102 5.80 30 0 88 21.0 0.0 0 0.8 1.6 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors clean 0.12 2.53 0.051 0.31 0.30 3.0 28 2.11 43 19 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors aliased 0.29 10.38 0.290 1.00 1.00 3.0 31 2.25 43 43 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors blurred 0.62 9.36 0.216 1.31 1.19 7.0 139 7.53 44 13 50 25.5 0.0 0 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors noisy 0.85 2.57 0.074 0.32 0.32 3.0 29 2.15 34 0 100 0.0 0.0 0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 – – – –
16 Colors scanned 1.72 4.44 0.257 1.09 0.96 7.5 158 8.81 32 0 88 28.5 0.0 0 3.4 3.6 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray clean 9.71 9.55 – – – 18.3 753 – 51 41 – – – – 0.0 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray aliased 9.71 9.52 – – – 11.0 647 – 57 41 – – – – 0.0 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray blurred 9.66 9.32 – – – 11.5 585 – 55 41 – – – – 0.0 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray noisy 9.74 9.44 – – – 19.5 648 – 46 37 – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Shades of Gray scanned 6.58 6.46 – – – 19.0 764 – 47 37 – – – – 0.0 – 1.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo clean 0.04 1.86 0.031 0.47 1.26 1.4 17 1.74 52 15 96 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo aliased 0.38 20.25 0.172 1.02 1.35 1.4 22 2.32 53 14 96 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo blurred 0.80 16.26 0.050 0.83 2.17 1.4 39 3.84 22 12 23 1.1 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo noisy 1.73 4.15 0.038 0.46 1.25 1.4 18 1.80 45 7 96 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Black and White Logo scanned 15.05 20.00 0.099 0.76 2.07 1.4 57 5.56 17 1 30 1.1 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art clean 0.20 5.71 0.111 0.96 52.59 1.9 16 1.39 26 14 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art aliased 0.47 19.58 0.213 1.00 105.54 1.6 11 1.10 26 9 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art blurred 1.04 19.04 0.229 0.81 105.58 1.6 17 1.49 13 8 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art noisy 1.76 6.07 0.113 0.97 1.06 2.0 17 1.44 17 0 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Sketched Art scanned 15.10 22.33 0.406 0.78 105.61 1.6 21 1.74 2 0 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes clean 0.35 14.53 0.281 0.69 0.69 1.2 12 1.33 16 16 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes aliased 0.39 21.69 0.289 1.00 1.00 1.2 9 0.99 12 9 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes blurred 1.23 28.62 0.814 1.41 1.41 1.2 14 1.64 13 10 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes noisy 2.12 11.10 0.285 0.68 0.69 1.2 12 1.30 9 0 100 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Silhouettes scanned 16.04 30.09 1.439 2.19 2.19 1.2 28 3.56 3 0 50 2.8 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art clean 0.52 4.09 0.040 0.47 105.72 3.3 29 1.45 40 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art aliased 0.67 14.44 0.112 0.73 55.44 14.0 59 2.95 87 1 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art blurred 1.56 16.06 0.061 0.99 105.72 3.0 53 2.65 22 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art noisy 1.03 4.10 0.035 0.44 56.07 8.0 50 2.50 43 0 – – – – – – 1.0 0.0 – – – –
Line Art scanned 13.54 19.55 0.062 0.92 105.68 3.0 51 2.55 8 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing clean 0.31 6.70 0.168 4.21 55.93 4.9 26 1.58 93 27 95 0.0 – – – – 0.7 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing aliased 0.56 20.39 0.275 2.42 55.44 6.2 31 1.85 96 28 94 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing blurred 1.12 17.47 0.168 2.41 105.64 2.4 49 3.84 47 19 30 2.7 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing noisy 1.68 6.90 0.160 2.13 31.79 7.0 34 1.98 93 26 95 0.0 – – – – 1.4 0.0 – – – –
Technical Drawing scanned 14.69 20.15 0.136 1.17 105.57 2.4 73 5.42 49 12 39 3.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Outline clean 0.52 3.89 0.038 2.94 105.73 3.3 7 0.35 100 7 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.056 0.02 2.1 –
Outline aliased 0.62 13.33 0.169 0.88 55.55 11.0 51 2.55 64 9 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.154 0.01 4.6 –
Outline blurred 1.57 16.26 0.032 0.86 105.75 3.0 6 0.30 100 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.013 0.03 2.0 –
Outline noisy 0.95 3.50 0.029 0.72 55.94 8.0 16 0.80 100 2 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.010 0.02 2.0 –
Outline scanned 13.53 19.37 0.044 0.88 105.64 3.0 6 0.30 100 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 0.027 0.03 2.0 –
Flat Logo clean 0.07 1.53 0.065 0.31 0.27 3.0 36 3.51 47 11 100 0.0 0.0 0 6.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo aliased 0.13 5.87 0.218 0.65 0.65 3.0 31 1.96 44 19 50 0.0 0.0 0 5.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo blurred 0.54 8.33 0.052 0.62 0.78 3.0 28 1.78 43 16 50 0.0 0.0 0 5.8 – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo noisy 0.81 1.77 0.076 0.39 0.32 3.5 44 2.63 31 0 100 1.0 0.0 0 6.9 – 0.5 0.0 – – – –
Flat Logo scanned 1.31 4.15 21.204 88.50 0.66 470.5 2251 255.53 11 0 62 1658.0 0.0 0 58.0 – 413.5 0.2 – – – –
Default with Shapes clean 0.13 2.62 0.055 0.35 0.34 6.0 38 1.28 55 48 – – – – 16.4 8.2 0.0 0.0 – – – 72
Default with Shapes aliased 0.63 16.01 0.264 1.00 0.90 6.0 31 1.03 45 31 – – – – 19.2 17.7 0.0 0.0 – – – 33
Default with Shapes blurred 1.58 15.95 0.096 0.81 1.00 6.0 51 1.70 17 17 – – – – 8.0 7.6 0.0 0.0 – – – 33
Default with Shapes noisy 2.63 4.94 0.063 0.38 0.38 6.0 34 1.13 53 0 – – – – 25.3 22.4 0.0 0.0 – – – 83
Default with Shapes scanned 17.04 21.98 0.125 0.52 0.60 6.0 46 1.53 8 0 – – – – 8.8 8.2 0.0 0.0 – – – 33
6 Colors with Shapes clean 0.10 2.00 0.042 0.30 0.26 6.0 40 1.33 59 49 – – 0.0 0 8.5 6.4 0.0 0.0 – – – 78
6 Colors with Shapes aliased 0.62 15.75 0.234 0.99 0.99 6.0 37 1.23 46 32 – – 0.0 0 7.5 10.1 0.0 0.0 – – – 17
6 Colors with Shapes blurred 1.55 15.53 0.114 0.57 0.61 6.0 46 1.53 49 49 – – 0.0 0 12.8 23.1 0.0 0.0 – – – 67
6 Colors with Shapes noisy 1.78 3.44 0.047 0.28 0.29 6.0 36 1.20 54 0 – – 0.0 0 6.7 15.9 0.0 0.0 – – – 83
6 Colors with Shapes scanned 2.13 7.02 0.101 0.53 0.60 6.0 62 2.07 17 0 – – 0.0 0 19.3 8.2 0.0 0.0 – – – 33

4. Yardstick

Inkscape 1.4.2's Trace Bitmap, run as a black box through its object-trace action (two scans, background removed, its other settings as they come) on the same one-colour drawings, and its SVG output measured by the same code. Compare with the black-and-white presets on the same kinds of input in section 2 and 3.

inputs variant ΔE edge ΔE off mean off max missed max paths anchors × art lines % upright % corners % kinks odd colours odd px gap px overlap px specks outside px centre off width off anchors a stroke shapes %
curved shapes clean 0.25 11.05 0.198 0.97 0.97 1.0 15 1.98 11 7 83 1.8 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
curved shapes aliased 0.38 20.79 0.192 0.88 0.88 1.0 16 1.88 14 8 50 1.8 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
curved shapes blurred 0.79 16.57 0.182 0.86 1.14 1.0 15 1.84 6 5 0 1.8 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
curved shapes noisy 2.01 8.14 0.191 0.93 0.93 1.0 17 2.06 10 0 75 2.8 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
curved shapes scanned 15.31 20.22 0.191 0.97 1.14 1.0 16 1.98 7 2 0 2.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
polygons clean 0.16 6.45 0.124 1.26 2.36 1.0 21 1.93 27 4 34 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
polygons aliased 0.35 18.33 0.150 1.22 2.35 1.0 20 1.81 20 3 28 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
polygons blurred 0.90 17.54 0.190 1.20 2.56 1.0 19 1.75 0 0 0 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
polygons noisy 1.62 6.05 0.119 1.22 2.32 1.0 22 2.01 29 4 19 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
polygons scanned 14.75 20.30 0.170 1.49 2.55 1.0 21 1.90 4 0 3 0.0 – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
thin lines clean 0.44 6.05 0.109 0.98 76.81 1.0 34 1.72 2 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
thin lines aliased 0.74 16.37 0.099 1.17 55.97 1.0 22 1.10 6 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
thin lines blurred 1.72 18.80 0.254 0.81 106.00 1.0 18 0.90 0 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
thin lines noisy 1.02 6.25 0.112 1.00 37.89 1.0 25 1.25 0 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
thin lines scanned 28.94 46.83 12.147 43.11 20.79 1.0 2763 138.15 2 0 – – – – – – 0.0 0.1 – – – –
askew shapes clean 0.31 7.76 0.142 1.08 3.38 1.0 45 1.89 32 15 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
askew shapes aliased 0.45 14.06 0.149 1.14 1.35 1.0 47 1.96 30 4 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
askew shapes blurred 1.19 17.05 0.195 1.20 3.65 1.0 44 1.83 29 11 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
askew shapes noisy 2.03 6.74 0.116 0.85 1.04 1.0 62 2.58 37 7 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
askew shapes scanned 15.69 20.78 0.217 1.47 3.65 1.0 44 1.83 26 8 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – –
plain shapes clean 0.56 11.27 0.218 1.00 1.02 1.0 46 1.54 46 36 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
plain shapes aliased 0.57 14.69 0.239 1.00 1.00 1.0 49 1.63 47 25 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
plain shapes blurred 1.68 17.28 0.262 1.14 1.14 1.0 45 1.50 31 8 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
plain shapes noisy 2.94 9.59 0.234 0.98 0.98 1.0 53 1.77 50 25 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0
plain shapes scanned 17.09 22.56 0.281 0.99 1.10 1.0 51 1.70 31 8 – – – – – – 0.0 0.0 – – – 0

5. Cost

One trace at a time on this machine (all cores); memory is the peak allocated above the image itself. A trace of more than 2,000,000 anchors is refused, as in the app.

preset image megapixels result
Default photo-like 1 0.07 s, 29 paths, 6278 anchors, 12 MB
Default four-colour badge 1 0.04 s, 3 paths, 64 anchors, 12 MB
Auto Color photo-like 1 0.22 s, 732 paths, 45265 anchors, 21 MB
Auto Color four-colour badge 1 0.08 s, 5 paths, 84 anchors, 12 MB
High Fidelity Photo photo-like 1 0.30 s, 968 paths, 117041 anchors, 108 MB
High Fidelity Photo four-colour badge 1 0.08 s, 6 paths, 172 anchors, 23 MB
Low Fidelity Photo photo-like 1 0.17 s, 129 paths, 23014 anchors, 106 MB
Low Fidelity Photo four-colour badge 1 0.08 s, 6 paths, 136 anchors, 23 MB
3 Colors photo-like 1 0.12 s, 9 paths, 3341 anchors, 18 MB
3 Colors four-colour badge 1 0.08 s, 4 paths, 88 anchors, 13 MB
6 Colors photo-like 1 0.12 s, 78 paths, 9076 anchors, 24 MB
6 Colors four-colour badge 1 0.08 s, 5 paths, 84 anchors, 12 MB
16 Colors photo-like 1 0.15 s, 178 paths, 20470 anchors, 31 MB
16 Colors four-colour badge 1 0.08 s, 5 paths, 88 anchors, 12 MB
Shades of Gray photo-like 1 0.12 s, 81 paths, 6698 anchors, 43 MB
Shades of Gray four-colour badge 1 0.09 s, 10 paths, 725 anchors, 35 MB
Black and White Logo photo-like 1 0.06 s, 71 paths, 4933 anchors, 8 MB
Black and White Logo four-colour badge 1 0.03 s, 1 paths, 47 anchors, 6 MB
Sketched Art photo-like 1 0.06 s, 5 paths, 2873 anchors, 8 MB
Sketched Art four-colour badge 1 0.03 s, 2 paths, 114 anchors, 6 MB
Silhouettes photo-like 1 0.06 s, 2 paths, 556 anchors, 9 MB
Silhouettes four-colour badge 1 0.03 s, 1 paths, 24 anchors, 6 MB
Line Art photo-like 1 0.07 s, 54 paths, 4495 anchors, 8 MB
Line Art four-colour badge 1 0.03 s, 1 paths, 38 anchors, 6 MB
Technical Drawing photo-like 1 0.07 s, 221 paths, 6258 anchors, 8 MB
Technical Drawing four-colour badge 1 0.03 s, 1 paths, 47 anchors, 6 MB
Outline photo-like 1 0.08 s, 45 paths, 4110 anchors, 16 MB
Outline four-colour badge 1 0.05 s, 1 paths, 38 anchors, 11 MB
Flat Logo photo-like 1 refused after 0.22 s (not flat art), 40 MB
Flat Logo four-colour badge 1 1.64 s, 5 paths, 78 anchors, 146 MB
Default with Shapes photo-like 1 0.07 s, 29 paths, 6278 anchors, 12 MB
Default with Shapes four-colour badge 1 0.04 s, 3 paths, 63 anchors, 12 MB
6 Colors with Shapes photo-like 1 0.13 s, 78 paths, 9076 anchors, 24 MB
6 Colors with Shapes four-colour badge 1 0.08 s, 5 paths, 84 anchors, 12 MB
Default photo-like 4 0.26 s, 48 paths, 14438 anchors, 49 MB
Default four-colour badge 4 0.13 s, 3 paths, 72 anchors, 48 MB
Auto Color photo-like 4 0.69 s, 1469 paths, 149389 anchors, 93 MB
Auto Color four-colour badge 4 0.29 s, 5 paths, 92 anchors, 46 MB
High Fidelity Photo photo-like 4 1.09 s, 4479 paths, 337884 anchors, 605 MB
High Fidelity Photo four-colour badge 4 0.32 s, 6 paths, 200 anchors, 97 MB
Low Fidelity Photo photo-like 4 0.54 s, 299 paths, 61601 anchors, 417 MB
Low Fidelity Photo four-colour badge 4 0.32 s, 6 paths, 152 anchors, 97 MB
3 Colors photo-like 4 0.44 s, 20 paths, 8473 anchors, 72 MB
3 Colors four-colour badge 4 0.29 s, 4 paths, 122 anchors, 53 MB
6 Colors photo-like 4 0.44 s, 115 paths, 23295 anchors, 100 MB
6 Colors four-colour badge 4 0.29 s, 5 paths, 92 anchors, 46 MB
16 Colors photo-like 4 0.47 s, 353 paths, 52770 anchors, 125 MB
16 Colors four-colour badge 4 0.30 s, 5 paths, 96 anchors, 46 MB
Shades of Gray photo-like 4 0.44 s, 137 paths, 18823 anchors, 166 MB
Shades of Gray four-colour badge 4 0.37 s, 10 paths, 1256 anchors, 137 MB
Black and White Logo photo-like 4 0.27 s, 208 paths, 13546 anchors, 32 MB
Black and White Logo four-colour badge 4 0.12 s, 1 paths, 57 anchors, 24 MB
Sketched Art photo-like 4 0.25 s, 9 paths, 5387 anchors, 32 MB
Sketched Art four-colour badge 4 0.12 s, 2 paths, 196 anchors, 24 MB
Silhouettes photo-like 4 0.23 s, 2 paths, 1465 anchors, 36 MB
Silhouettes four-colour badge 4 0.12 s, 1 paths, 28 anchors, 24 MB
Line Art photo-like 4 0.27 s, 127 paths, 11330 anchors, 32 MB
Line Art four-colour badge 4 0.12 s, 1 paths, 42 anchors, 24 MB
Technical Drawing photo-like 4 0.27 s, 931 paths, 20628 anchors, 32 MB
Technical Drawing four-colour badge 4 0.12 s, 1 paths, 57 anchors, 24 MB
Outline photo-like 4 0.36 s, 113 paths, 10815 anchors, 64 MB
Outline four-colour badge 4 0.19 s, 1 paths, 42 anchors, 44 MB
Flat Logo photo-like 4 refused after 0.24 s (not flat art), 40 MB
Flat Logo four-colour badge 4 1.64 s, 5 paths, 69 anchors, 146 MB
Default with Shapes photo-like 4 0.26 s, 48 paths, 14438 anchors, 49 MB
Default with Shapes four-colour badge 4 0.13 s, 3 paths, 72 anchors, 48 MB
6 Colors with Shapes photo-like 4 0.43 s, 115 paths, 23295 anchors, 100 MB
6 Colors with Shapes four-colour badge 4 0.29 s, 5 paths, 92 anchors, 46 MB
Default photo-like 16 1.13 s, 127 paths, 34034 anchors, 199 MB
Default four-colour badge 16 0.59 s, 3 paths, 88 anchors, 184 MB
Auto Color photo-like 16 2.57 s, 5390 paths, 454670 anchors, 276 MB
Auto Color four-colour badge 16 1.21 s, 5 paths, 112 anchors, 185 MB
High Fidelity Photo photo-like 16 5.16 s, 31139 paths, 1192715 anchors, 880 MB
High Fidelity Photo four-colour badge 16 1.48 s, 6 paths, 264 anchors, 263 MB
Low Fidelity Photo photo-like 16 2.61 s, 2036 paths, 182778 anchors, 754 MB
Low Fidelity Photo four-colour badge 16 1.48 s, 6 paths, 180 anchors, 263 MB
3 Colors photo-like 16 1.68 s, 76 paths, 23024 anchors, 290 MB
3 Colors four-colour badge 16 1.22 s, 4 paths, 190 anchors, 205 MB
6 Colors photo-like 16 1.72 s, 470 paths, 60831 anchors, 298 MB
6 Colors four-colour badge 16 1.22 s, 5 paths, 112 anchors, 185 MB
16 Colors photo-like 16 1.71 s, 1973 paths, 145642 anchors, 304 MB
16 Colors four-colour badge 16 1.21 s, 5 paths, 114 anchors, 185 MB
Shades of Gray photo-like 16 2.29 s, 686 paths, 53654 anchors, 407 MB
Shades of Gray four-colour badge 16 1.83 s, 9 paths, 2208 anchors, 270 MB
Black and White Logo photo-like 16 1.23 s, 1128 paths, 45273 anchors, 129 MB
Black and White Logo four-colour badge 16 0.48 s, 1 paths, 69 anchors, 88 MB
Sketched Art photo-like 16 1.13 s, 15 paths, 11486 anchors, 128 MB
Sketched Art four-colour badge 16 0.49 s, 2 paths, 361 anchors, 88 MB
Silhouettes photo-like 16 1.40 s, 3 paths, 3350 anchors, 144 MB
Silhouettes four-colour badge 16 0.51 s, 1 paths, 32 anchors, 95 MB
Line Art photo-like 16 1.19 s, 713 paths, 37370 anchors, 129 MB
Line Art four-colour badge 16 0.49 s, 1 paths, 49 anchors, 88 MB
Technical Drawing photo-like 16 1.43 s, 4577 paths, 76559 anchors, 130 MB
Technical Drawing four-colour badge 16 0.48 s, 1 paths, 69 anchors, 88 MB
Outline photo-like 16 1.53 s, 632 paths, 34884 anchors, 256 MB
Outline four-colour badge 16 0.79 s, 1 paths, 49 anchors, 176 MB
Flat Logo photo-like 16 refused after 0.28 s (not flat art), 40 MB
Flat Logo four-colour badge 16 1.69 s, 5 paths, 67 anchors, 146 MB
Default with Shapes photo-like 16 1.07 s, 127 paths, 34034 anchors, 199 MB
Default with Shapes four-colour badge 16 0.52 s, 3 paths, 88 anchors, 184 MB
6 Colors with Shapes photo-like 16 1.14 s, 470 paths, 60831 anchors, 298 MB
6 Colors with Shapes four-colour badge 16 0.88 s, 5 paths, 112 anchors, 184 MB

Revision history

date change
2026-10-13 Shapes (off unless asked for): filled outlines that are a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle or a regular polygon come out as that shape; corners whose pixel is mostly outside the shape are corners; plain-shape inputs and a "shapes %" column
2026-10-13 Create: Strokes: centre lines placed in the middle of their ink and as wide as it, fitted as outlines are; centre-line distance, width error and anchors per stroke measured against the thin lines' truth
2026-10-13 Snap Curves To Lines levels lines within 2.5 degrees of level or upright; askew inputs and an "upright %" column, so the baseline was measured again with them (the tracer of main at baf9693f)
2026-10-13 Ignore Color; the Auto Color and Outline presets, measured from here on (Outline is the first measure of Create: Strokes)
2026-10-13 Thin lines: black and white read against the image's darkest black and the paper near each edge
2026-10-13 Memory: layers traced within the box of their pixels and a few at a time (16 megapixel photo: 3.9 GB to 0.9 GB)
2026-10-13 Shared edges: outlines are cut at their junctions and each piece is fitted once, the same from either side
2026-10-13 Photos: continuous-tone images are smoothed within their tones before quantising, and stacked layers go by lightness
2026-10-13 The palette: made of the picture's own colours, noise-made colours merged, blend pixels settled, cuts where colours differ most, colours compared in Oklab
2026-10-13 Sub-pixel edges and the outline fitter in Black and White, Grayscale and Color; the harness gains an aliased variant and an "outside px" column, so the baseline was measured again with it (same tracer, main at baf9693f)
2026-10-12 The harness and the baseline: every preset measured before any change to the tracer