Operation Manual

Tracing bitmaps and editing traced results | 581
To increase the number of colors in a traced result, you need to change the preset style or increase the amount of detail. For
information about how to change the preset style and the amount of detail, see “To fine-tune traced results” on page 577.
Setting default tracing options
You can enable any of the following tracing options.
• Quick Trace method — You can change the default Quick Trace settings to any preset style, or to the most recently used settings.
• Performance — This option determines how source bitmaps between 1 and 5 megapixels in size are handled, and how the quality of
the traced results is affected. The performance of PowerTRACE depends on the size and color depth of the source bitmaps as well as on
the available system memory. High-quality traced results require high-quality source bitmaps, which are often quite large. The larger the
source bitmap, the more resources are required. Bitmaps that are too large need to be downsampled before tracing, which may decrease
the image quality. To trace large bitmaps without sacrificing quality, you can set PowerTRACE to trace images as large as 5 megapixels
(provided RAM is sufficient). To achieve maximum performance, you can set PowerTRACE to prompt you to downsample bitmaps larger
that 1 megapixel.
• Merge colors — You can choose whether to merge colors in a traced result by averaging their values or by replacing the colors to be
merged with the first color you select.
To set default tracing options
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Workspace list of categories, click PowerTRACE.
3 Perform any of the following tasks.

To Do the following
Choose a Quick Trace method From the Quick Trace method list box, choose a preset style or the
most recently used settings.
Determine performance level and quality of a traced result Move the Performance slider to the left to increase performance,
or to the right to increase the quality of the traced results. The
lowest value prompts you to downsample all bitmaps that exceed
1 megapixel. The highest value prompts you to downsample all
bitmaps that exceed 5 megapixels.
Choose how to merge colors in a traced result In the Merge colors area, enable an option. The Average merging
colors option replaces the colors to be merged with a color of their
average value. The Merge to first color selected option replaces
the colors to be merged with the first selected color.
You can also access the PowerTRACE page in the Options dialog box by clicking Options in PowerTRACE.
Tips for tracing bitmaps and editing traced results
The following tips can help you achieve high-quality trace results.
• Use high-quality source bitmaps. If dithering or JPEG compression was used in the source bitmap, the bitmap may contain additional
noise. For best traced results, remove the noise before tracing the bitmap.