vector tracing for Mac

BunyanFilms · Post by **BunyanFilms** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:31 pm

This is not specifically a question regarding AS.

Does anyone know of a good vector tracing program for the Mac that handles batches. After upgrading to my Intel Macs I am a little lost when it comes to making traditional cell animation and Flash and AS animation where I need to convert scanned drawings to vector. I used to love Adobe Streamline which was so simple and easy to convert sequenced drawings very quickly, but alas it is no longer is supported and is a relic of OS9.

Thanks

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:43 pm

I still use Streamline, that's why I keep my G5 PPC.

But sorry, don't know of any software for your problem.

Rasheed · Post by **Rasheed** » Wed May 07, 2008 2:04 pm

Inkscape does a reasonable job. It is an X11 application, because it was originally written for Linux (X windows) and ported to Mac OS X, using the X11 interface. It's free open source software. However, it doesn't do sequences.

JCook · Post by **JCook** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:41 pm

If you're using Illustrator CS3, I think Live Trace has replaced Streamline as the way to vectorize something. It takes tweaking to get it good, but it's part or Illustrator now, not a separate program. I think they put it in in CS or CS2.
Don't think it'll do batches, though.

Jack

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:04 pm

I needed to use streamline some time ago...

WOW... had to fire up an ancient Mac I dragged out of my closet because I couldn't find my streamline installer.... FLOPPIES. It was very annoying using that mouse with an actual ball. A real blast from the past.

I was wondering if I couldn't use "Timbuktu" or some kind of "controller" application to use my really old applications over a network? One of those programs that allow you to see and run one computer from another one?

Quite frankly... Streamline even the old old version I had... works PERFECTLY.

-vern

BunyanFilms · Post by **BunyanFilms** » Thu May 08, 2008 1:53 am

I find it amazing that there doesn't seems to be any applications that replaced Streamline. Adobe I remember when they decided to no longer support it and incorporate it into Illustrator said that the features of it would go as well but they seem to have forgotten batch conversions.

Luckily we have an older Imac that still has OS9 installed. I fired up Streamline and a complicated 95 drawing sequence was traced, saved, and in the right format within 5 mins. I would hate to try and do that with Illustrator CS3.

Keep that old Mac Slowtiger and Vern!