Vector Tracing in Aspire and VCarve v12 without the Curve tool!

Vector tracing in the new Vectric v12 software is causing some angst amongst existing users now that the "Curve" tool has been removed. I was never a fan of the curve tool, preferring the polyline workflow descried in this video. It's fast, it's effective, and it creates much simpler vector tracings of bitmap images.
Here is a link to the slides I use at the beginning of the tutorial that cover "Some Observations", "The Principles", and "Some VCarve and Aspire v12 Tips"
github.com/mha...

[@AHackOfAllTrades]

The new v12 releases of Aspire and VCarve Pro no longer have the Curve tool! This video shows how to vector trace photos and drawings without it using techniques that I learned from professional graphic artists and CAD modelers. If you'd like to learn more about vectorizing and 3D modeling, leave a comment! And please subscribe to keep up to date when I publish new videos.

[@wdnick]

Another Pro Tip: When tracing those straight lines it's super helpful to use the X and Y shortcuts in node editing mode. You can box pick the nodes and or handles and press X to align all selected points in the X direction making them all in a vertical line or Y will align them horizontally.

[@AHackOfAllTrades]

Excellent tip! Thanks Doug, I’ll be using this one for sure.

[@jims11762]

I agree with your strategy of tracing vectors. I also can understand why people are upset about using a tool they feel comfortable using.
Sometimes people find ways to use tools that the creators of the software never even thought of.
I really think they should put the Draw Curve tool back in. Or give an option how you want the FreeHand drawing tool to function.
V12 has some great inovations but it also has some draw backs.
I'm sure Vectric's will make the proper changes to make people happy.
Thank you. Jimmy

[@AHackOfAllTrades]

I agree, it doesn't seem like there would be harm in leaving the Curve tool in. I like the idea of adding it to the Freehand tool as an option. Overall, I REALLY like the new UI that combines the 2D vector and 3D modeling tools on on panel, the new 3D view enhancements that allows editing of vectors in the 3D view, showing the vectors, keep out zones, etc, and the overall simplification of importing art under one button. I've gotten so used to these in just a few weeks that when I went back to look at 11.5 for this video I noticed how much the workflow had changed in such a positive way.

[@RobSandstromDesigns]

Well done explanation if using polyline tool for tracing.

[@AHackOfAllTrades]

Thank you! I have some videos that in the works on greyscale conversion for generating 3D carvings and to improve ability to vector trace. Stay tuned.

[@michaelbeckwith977]

Excellent video... one of the most helpful / easy to understand I've watched regarding bitmap tracing and curves. And I've watched alot of them... LOL. As a brand new Vcarve Pro user, I started on V12 and so I have no experience with the famed draw curves tool. They have brought it back in V12.007, but after watching this video, I don't think I even want to use it.

[@AHackOfAllTrades]

Thank you for the feedback Michael. Yeah, as I say in the video, I was not a fan of the Draw Curves Tool. I learned how to do vector tracing from professional CAD and graphic designers and most of them go about it like I describe here. But it is good to have options. If you learn this technique, it is applicable to nearly any CAD or drawing/painting software.

[@richardbaynes3862]

The Curve tool is back in V12

[@AHackOfAllTrades]

Yeah, I installed the release. I wasn’t a fan of using it but this should make some people happy!

[@brettfarrell4818]

Have they put out a manual for v 12

[@AHackOfAllTrades]

Yes, you access it from the Help menu.