Vectorizer AI Options! The BEST FREE alternatives for Print on Demand?!

Detour Shirts
27 Jan 202432:30

TLDRIn this video, Juna from Detour Shirts addresses the recent change in pricing for Vectorizer.AI, a tool she frequently used for converting images into vectors for her designs. As Vectorizer.AI is no longer free, she explores seven alternative tools for vectorization, comparing their results to Vectorizer.AI's output. Juna provides a detailed walkthrough of each alternative, including Dgb.lol, Vectorizer.decom, SVG Converter, AutoTracer.org, Rerto Vector, and even using existing software like Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer (KD). She evaluates the quality and usability of the free alternatives, highlighting that while some come close, Vectorizer.AI still offers superior quality. The video concludes with a recommendation to try all the free options and utilize paid software if already owned, as they can provide results comparable to Vectorizer.AI.

Takeaways

  • πŸ“ˆ Vectorizer.AI is no longer free, prompting the search for alternatives.
  • πŸ” The video compares seven different alternatives to Vectorizer.AI for vector conversion.
  • πŸ’° Vectorizer.AI now costs $9.99 a month or offers a pay-per-use credit system.
  • πŸ†“ Dgb.lol is a free option for upscaling images but not for vector conversion.
  • 🎨 Vectorizer.decom and SVG Converter.app are highlighted as potential free alternatives.
  • πŸ–₯️ Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW (KD) are effective but are not free alternatives.
  • πŸ“‰ AutoTracer.org and rasterizerVector.com did not perform well in comparison.
  • πŸ“ˆ Photopea's image to vector feature showed promise but may require further tweaking for better results.
  • πŸ€” The decision to pay for Vectorizer.AI depends on the quality needed and the frequency of use.
  • πŸ‘ For those who already own Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, using their built-in vectorization tools can be cost-effective.

Q & A

  • Why did Juna decide to look for alternatives to Vectorizer.AI?

    -Juna decided to look for alternatives to Vectorizer.AI because it is no longer free, and she has been using it for a long time as part of her design process.

  • What is the monthly subscription cost for Vectorizer.AI after it became a paid service?

    -The monthly subscription cost for Vectorizer.AI after it became a paid service is $9.99.

  • What is the main difference between a pixelated PNG and a vectorized SVG?

    -A pixelated PNG is a raster image made up of pixels, which can become blurry when zoomed in, while a vectorized SVG is a scalable image that maintains its quality at any size due to its use of geometric shapes and paths.

  • Which tool did Juna find to be the closest free alternative to Vectorizer.AI?

    -Juna found the SVG Converter app to be the closest free alternative to Vectorizer.AI in terms of quality.

  • What is the advantage of using Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature for vectorizing images?

    -The advantage of using Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature is that it allows for a high level of customization and control over the vectorization process, including the ability to adjust settings for corners, noise, and curves to achieve a smoother and more accurate result.

  • How does the quality of vectorization from the free tools compare to Vectorizer.AI?

    -The quality of vectorization from the free tools is generally less clean and crisp compared to Vectorizer.AI, with more jagged edges and sometimes color inaccuracies, but they can still be useful for simpler designs or when budget constraints are a consideration.

  • What is the significance of the 'High Fidelity Photo' preset in Illustrator's Image Trace feature?

    -The 'High Fidelity Photo' preset in Illustrator's Image Trace feature is designed to provide a higher quality vectorization that is more faithful to the original image, with more colors and smoother curves.

  • Why might someone choose to use Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW (KD) for vectorizing images even if they have to pay for the software?

    -Someone might choose to use Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW (KD) for vectorizing images because they may already have the software, and these programs offer advanced tools and features that can produce high-quality results, especially for complex designs.

  • What does Juna suggest for someone who is deciding between paying for Vectorizer.AI and using a free alternative?

    -Juna suggests considering the quality of the vectorization and whether the user is doing a lot of vector designs that would justify the monthly cost. If high-quality vectorization is essential and frequently needed, Vectorizer.AI may be worth the cost, but for those on a budget or with less complex design needs, a free alternative could suffice.

  • How does the process of vectorization work in CorelDRAW (KD)?

    -In CorelDRAW (KD), users can use the Background Remover tool to eliminate the background of an image and then use the Image Vectorizer to convert the image into a vector format, allowing for the selection of up to 16 colors and the ability to adjust and change colors within the program.

  • What is the main takeaway from Juna's comparison of different vectorization tools?

    -The main takeaway is that while free tools can provide decent vectorization results, paid tools like Vectorizer.AI generally offer higher quality and more precise results. Users should weigh the importance of quality against the cost when choosing a vectorization tool.

Outlines

00:00

πŸ“’ Introduction to Vectorizer.AI Pricing and Alternatives

Juna from Detour Shirts introduces the topic of the video, discussing the change in pricing for Vectorizer.AI, a tool she frequently used to convert images into vectors for her designs. She mentions that viewers will be shown seven alternatives to Vectorizer.AI and how they compare to the original, both in terms of quality and cost.

05:05

πŸ” Comparing Vectorizer.AI with Dgbl LOL

Juna compares the quality of Vectorizer.AI's vectorization with that of Dgbl LOL, a free alternative. She notes that despite using the highest settings in Dgbl LOL, the results are not as clean or smooth as those from Vectorizer.AI, indicating that it may not be a suitable replacement.

10:11

πŸ–₯️ Testing Vectorizer Decom and SVG Converter

Juna tests two additional tools: Vectorizer Decom and SVG Converter. She observes that Vectorizer Decom adds an unwanted black line to the design, while SVG Converter provides results closer to Vectorizer.AI, although still not as good. She emphasizes the importance of a clean and crisp vector for print quality.

15:16

πŸ” Assessing AutoTrace and Rerto Vector

Juna evaluates AutoTrace and Rerto Vector as potential free alternatives. She finds that AutoTrace creates a very large file with jagged edges and numerous shapes, which is not ideal. Rerto Vector, on the other hand, provides poor results quickly, with pixelation and incorrect colors, leading her to discard both as viable options.

20:21

🎨 Using KD and Illustrator for Vectorization

Juna explores using KD (Krita) and Adobe Illustrator for vectorization. She demonstrates that both programs can effectively convert images into vectors, with KD offering the ability to change colors within the program and Illustrator providing a detailed Image Trace feature. She concludes that both are good options if one already has the software.

25:27

πŸ–ŒοΈ Illustrator's Image Trace and Photopea's Vectorization

Juna uses Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature and Photopea's vectorization tool to convert the same image into vectors. She finds that while Illustrator's result is comparable to KD and slightly better than SVG Converter, it still does not match the quality of Vectorizer.AI. Photopea's result is smooth but has some color overlap and less precision.

30:29

πŸ“ Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Juna summarizes the findings of her tests. She acknowledges that while Vectorizer.AI is no longer free, it still provides the highest quality vectors. She suggests that if the monthly cost is not an issue, Vectorizer.AI is worth the investment. Otherwise, she recommends trying the free alternatives, especially if viewers already own KD or Illustrator.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Vectorizer AI

Vectorizer AI is a software that converts images into vector format, which is a scalable and editable form of graphic design. In the video, Vectorizer AI is mentioned as a tool that the speaker used to create designs by converting text-based stickers into vector images. However, it is no longer free, prompting the search for alternatives.

πŸ’‘Print on Demand

Print on Demand (POD) is a service used by designers and entrepreneurs where products are only produced when a customer orders them, reducing the need for inventory and upfront costs. The video discusses alternatives to Vectorizer AI in the context of POD, which suggests that the vector images are used for designing products like t-shirts that can be printed on demand.

πŸ’‘PNG

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics and is a type of image file format known for its high-quality and lossless compression. In the video, the speaker uses a 'gumbo PNG' from chat GPT as an example to demonstrate how different vectorizing tools handle the conversion from raster (PNG) to vector graphics.

πŸ’‘SVG

SVG is an acronym for Scalable Vector Graphics, which is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics that supports interactivity and animation. The video compares the output of various vectorizing tools by looking at the SVG files they produce, focusing on their quality and usability for design purposes.

πŸ’‘Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a professional graphic design software used for creating vector graphics, illustrations, and UI designs. In the video, it is used as a platform to open and compare the quality of the vector images produced by different tools against the original Vectorizer AI output.

πŸ’‘Image Trace

Image Trace is a feature found in graphic design software that automatically converts raster images into vector format. Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace is specifically mentioned in the video as a potential alternative to Vectorizer AI for converting complex images into clean vector graphics.

πŸ’‘dgb.lol

dgb.lol is mentioned as one of the free alternatives to Vectorizer AI. It is used to upscale images, and the video shows a comparison of its vectorizing capabilities against Vectorizer AI, noting that it is not as clean or crisp.

πŸ’‘Vectorizer Decom

Vectorizer Decom is another tool explored in the video as an alternative to Vectorizer AI. The speaker tests its vectorizing capabilities and compares the results, noting some jagged edges and additional colors that were not as clean as Vectorizer AI's output.

πŸ’‘Krita (KD)

Krita (referred to as KD in the video) is a free and open-source digital painting program that also has vectorizing capabilities. The video demonstrates using Krita to vectorize an image and compares its results to those of Vectorizer AI, suggesting it as a cost-effective alternative for those who already own the software.

πŸ’‘Photopea

Photopea is an online photo editor that offers various tools, including an image to vector feature. The video includes a brief exploration of Photopea's vectorizing capabilities, comparing its output to Vectorizer AI and noting that with the right settings, it can produce reasonably good results.

πŸ’‘Free Alternatives

The concept of free alternatives is central to the video's theme. The speaker is looking for free tools that can match the functionality of the now-subscription-based Vectorizer AI. Various tools are tested, and their effectiveness in providing free vectorizing services is evaluated in the context of POD design needs.

Highlights

Vectorizer.AI, a previously free tool for converting images to vectors, is no longer free, prompting the search for alternatives.

The video presents seven alternatives to Vectorizer.AI for creating vector designs.

Comparisons are made between Vectorizer.AI's output and the alternatives to determine their effectiveness as replacements.

The current pricing for Vectorizer.AI is $9.99 a month or a pay-as-you-go credit system.

Dgb.lol is suggested as a free tool for upscaling pixel images rather than converting to vectors.

Vectorizer.decom is explored as a potential alternative, offering a slick interface and quick conversion times.

SVG Converter is highlighted as the closest free alternative to Vectorizer.AI in terms of quality.

AutoTracer.org is tested but found to produce overly complex and jagged vector images.

Rertovector.com is quick but results in pixelated and inaccurate vector conversions.

Krita (KD) is shown to be a viable option for vectorization if you already own it, with the ability to adjust colors within the software.

Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature is demonstrated as a powerful tool for vectorization, even for complex images.

Photopea's image to vector feature is a lesser-known option that offers a good balance between quality and ease of use.

The decision between using free alternatives or subscribing to Vectorizer.AI depends on the quality needed and the volume of work.

The video concludes that while free alternatives exist, Vectorizer.AI still offers superior quality for those willing to pay.

The presenter encourages viewers to try different tools and settings to find the best vectorization option for their needs.

A direct comparison is made between Vectorizer.AI and alternatives within Affinity Designer to visualize differences.