TexHouse Plain comparisons of 3D printing and maker tools

AutoTrace vs VTracer in 2026: DXF Converter Guide

AutoTrace and VTracer compared for makers using image-to-DXF converters: tools, prices, setup, and questions to check before choosing.

By TexHouse ยท

TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.

VTracer converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into vector graphics in SVG format. [1] AutoTrace has no tool facts published in the sources used for this page. VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes and lets you save the result in formats including DXF. [2] [2]

OptionWhat it doesPriceWhere it runs
AutoTracenot publishednot publishednot published
VTracerConverts raster images such as JPG and PNG into vector graphics in SVG format [1]not publishedDesktop app for Windows [3]
VectorMagikTraces a picture into vector shapes and exports SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [2] [2]Free for everyone; business use needs a licence [2]Windows x64, macOS, Linux x64, plus a browser version [2]

The short answer

VTracer converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into vector graphics in SVG format. [1] AutoTrace has no tool facts published in the sources used for this page. VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes and lets you save the result in formats including DXF. [2] [2]

VTracer's page says it can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace curves to output compact vector files. [1] VectorMagik's claims say it can simplify curves, edit nodes, and limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [2] [2] [2] The sources for AutoTrace do not provide details to compare here.

What AutoTrace, VTracer is built for

AutoTrace details are not published in the sources used for this page, so there are no tool details to list here.

VTracer is software that converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into vector graphics in SVG format. [1] It can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace curves to output compact vector files. [1] Its image processing pipeline can handle coloured images. [1]

VTracer was originally designed for processing high resolution scans of historic blueprints up to gigapixels. [1] It can also handle low resolution pixel art for retro game artworks. [1] The page offers a Download as SVG option. [3]

What VectorMagik is built for

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [2] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2]

A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture. [2] You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting. [2] You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [2]

It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [2] You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [2]

Pricing and fees

| Option | Price | |---|---| | AutoTrace | not published | | VTracer | not published | | VectorMagik | Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [2] |

The sources used here do not publish a price for AutoTrace or VTracer. VTracer's facts given here do not state a price for the software or desktop app. VectorMagik says it is Free for everyone and that business use needs a licence. [2] No card fee or add-on fee is published for these tools in these sources.

Setting it up and printing

AutoTrace setup details are not published in the sources used for this page.

VTracer promotes a desktop app for Windows with native speed, curve simplification, and higher tracing quality. [3] The desktop app includes an A/B comparator to compare the trace against the original and a curve inspector to inspect fitted curves up close. [1] [1]

VectorMagik has downloads for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [2] It installs with a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian/Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases. [2] A version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [2]

For a cutter, plotter or other workflow, VectorMagik can export SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG files. [2]

Things to check before you choose

Ask which output file you need, such as SVG or DXF, and check whether the tool supports the format required for the next step. VTracer's page offers SVG download. [3] VectorMagik says it exports DXF and other formats. [2]

Ask which computer you use and whether a desktop tool or browser tool matches your workflow. VTracer promotes a Windows desktop app. [3] VectorMagik lists desktop downloads and a browser version. [2]

Check whether you need curve changes, colour limits or shape edits after tracing. VectorMagik claims these options are available. [2] [2] [2]

How to choose

If you need to convert JPG or PNG images into SVG vector graphics, VTracer's source says it does that. [1] If you work with coloured images, its page says its image processing pipeline can handle them. [1]

If you need DXF export along with SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, EMF or PNG, VectorMagik says it supports those formats. [2] If you want to adjust curves after tracing, VectorMagik says its tolerance slider and node editing tools can do that. [2] [2]

If you want a browser version, VectorMagik says a version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Is VTracer free to use?

The VTracer facts gathered for this page do not state a price, so no price is given here. Its repository is released under the MIT license. [1] Its page promotes a VTracer Desktop App for Windows but does not give a price for it. [3] Check its own page for current pricing.

Does VTracer export to DXF?

VTracer's page offers a Download as SVG option. [3] The facts here do not mention DXF export for VTracer. VectorMagik says the result can be saved as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2] Check the required file format before choosing.

What computers can run VTracer?

VTracer promotes a desktop app for Windows with native speed, curve simplification, and higher tracing quality. [3] The facts here do not list other systems for that desktop app. VectorMagik lists Windows x64, macOS, Linux x64 and a browser version. [2]

Does VectorMagik need to be installed?

VectorMagik has downloads for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [2] It installs with a Windows installer, portable zip, macOS zip, Debian/Ubuntu .deb or Linux tar.gz. [2] A version also runs in the web browser using the same engine. [2]

Can VTracer handle coloured images?

VTracer's page says its image processing pipeline can handle coloured images. [1] It can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace curves to output compact vector files. [1] VectorMagik says the result can be limited to between 1 and 64 colours. [2]

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [2]

Try VectorMagik

Sources

  1. VTracer, github.com/visioncortex/vtracer, read 2026-10-07
  2. VectorMagik's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  3. VTracer, visioncortex.org/vtracer, read 2026-10-07

Related comparisons