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Beginners' Questions Embedded Image
  1. #1
    jimdunn jimdunn @jimdunn

    When I import a jpeg image into Inkscape and select tracing how do I ensure the image is NOT embedded?ย 

  2. #2
    Xav Xav @Xav๐Ÿ‘น

    Edit > Preferences, then the Bitmaps panel. Under the "Import" section you can set whether you want bitmaps to be linked or embedded. My preference is to check the box labelled "Ask about linking and scaling when importing", as you then get a dialog to let you choose on a per-image basis.

    Once you've traced the bitmap Inkscape creates a path (or group of paths) which is sitting on top of the bitmap image. At this point you want to select the bitmap and delete it. There are a couple of approaches to selecting it, given that it's below the traced version:

    1. Move the traced version out of the way. I usually use Shift+arrow a few times, as I can then use the opposite arrow to precisely put the traced version back in place.
    2. Select the traced path or group by clicking on it. Hold Alt and click again to select the object below (i.e. the bitmap).

    I usually link the file to avoid bloating the SVG if I do forget to remove it, but regardless of how you select the bitmap, or whether you linked or embedded it, deleting it from the file will remove it from the SVG file.

  3. #3
    MaxHugen MaxHugen @MaxHugen

    FWIW, I use Layers a lot, they are incredibly useful for more complex design.

    One Layer (sometimes several) is for "Images"... so all my images are in this layer, which has a few advantages I frequently use:

    Lock/Unlock - helpful when you're drawing on top of it, and dragging something around, but you're inadvertently moving the image, just Lock the Layer.

    Hide/Show - I use a lot of images and it helps to hide the images when I don't need them

    Reorder - I can have different Layers for different sketches, which themselves can be in different Layers, and I've found it helps to be able to change the order of the Layers.

    HTH.

    ย