Textile-Grade
Vectorization
Not a generic tracer. A specialized engine built for rotary screens and digital print heads. Guarantees 95%+ SSIM accuracy.
Technical Specifications
Core Engine
- Potrace Hybrid KernelCombines center-line tracing with edge detection.
- Residual Tile LayerEmbeds 95% quality fallback patches for complex textures.
- Color QuantizationK-Means clustering with CIELAB perceptual distance.
Process Limits
| Format | Type | Optimization |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Input | Lossless |
| TIFF | Input | CMYK Aware |
| JPEG | Input | Artifact Removal |
| SVG | Output | Path Simplification |
Color prep before vectorization
- Limit spot color count
HiveForge works best under 256 spot colors. Collect approved HEX values in a tech pack and merge near-duplicates before vectorizing.
- Simplify flat areas
Noisy textures and JPEG artifacts create extra paths. Prefer PNG/TIFF uploads and reduce soft blends on critical areas when possible.
- sRGB approval → vector
This tool is sRGB screen math. Move approved HEX values into Vectorizer Studio; read the guide for the SSIM ≥ 0.85 print-safe threshold.
Repeat prep before vectorization
- Lock repeat dimensions
Use the same rapport cm/inch values in your tech pack, RIP, and vector file. Copy the cm ↔ inch conversion from this tool into approval notes.
- Calculate print pixels first
The px width × height at target DPI shows minimum source resolution before vectorizing. Plan for 300+ DPI at final print size.
- Verify seamless tile edges
Misaligned rapport edges break paths when tiled. Check exports with Seamless Checker, then move tile-safe art into Vectorizer Studio.
Panel pixel prep before vectorization
- Lock target px in the tech pack
Keep the width × height px values from this tool identical in your tech pack, RIP, and vector file. Copy size into approval notes — it clarifies panel DPI targets before vectorizing.
- Preserve aspect ratio in source art
Source files that do not match the panel aspect ratio break vector paths. Align source px dimensions to this tool’s ratio; upscale toward target px first when needed.
- Vectorize at 300+ DPI targets
Close-up fashion panels often need 200–300 DPI in digital textile print. After validating target px here, move art into Vectorizer Studio; read the guide for the SSIM ≥ 0.85 threshold.
Fabric weight prep before vectorizing for print
- Lock weight in the tech pack and cost sheet
Convert oz/yd² quotes to g/m² in this tool and paste into the GSM field on the Fabric Cost Calculator. Roll-weight estimates and landed cost should sit on the same PO line — wrong weight skews path density in HiveForge.
- Match GSM to spot colors and path density
Heavier GSM (≥220 g/m²) means more ink mass and fewer fine paths for the same repeat area. Simplify spot color count against your GSM lock-in before uploading to HiveForge — lighter fabrics vectorize fine lines more cleanly.
- Vectorize after cost is clear
Once landed cost and waste % are locked, convert the same patterns to RIP-safe SVG in Vectorizer Studio. Sample approval should precede PO signature — read the Vectorization guide for the SSIM ≥ 0.85 threshold.
Landed cost → vectorization prep
- Lock landed cost in PO approval
Paste total cost, meters with waste and cost per piece from this tool into sourcing quotes. Copy summary for mill comparisons — simplify spot color count against PO cost before vectorizing.
- Match GSM and m² cost to path density
Higher landed cost usually means more spot colors and fewer fine paths. Align oz/yd² quotes with the GSM Converter, then simplify the palette against your cost lock-in before uploading to HiveForge.
- Vectorize to RIP-safe SVG after cost lock-in
Once landed fabric cost and waste % are locked, convert approved panel art to RIP-safe SVG in Vectorizer Studio. Sample approval should precede PO signature — read the Vectorization guide for the SSIM ≥ 0.85 threshold.
Vector prep after cut planning
- Lock marker yield in the tech pack
Paste yield %, pieces/m and linear meters from this tool into cut approval. Copy meters into purchasing notes — it clarifies panel count and orientation before vectorizing.
- Align piece size to the vector canvas
Match panel art width × length to the dimensions in this tool before vectorizing. If rotated orientation yields better efficiency, use the same orientation in the vector file.
- Move approved panel art into Vectorizer
After validating marker yield and waste %, upload panel designs into Vectorizer Studio. Limit spot color count; read the vectorization guide for the SSIM ≥ 0.85 threshold.