Scan2CAD vs Vector Magic in 2026
Scan2CAD and Vector Magic compared for makers who need image-to-vector and DXF conversion: what each does, price, setup, and what to check before you pick one.
TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.
Scan2CAD offers two license options, Standard and Floating Network. [1] Vector Magic traces bitmaps into vector shapes online or on the desktop, with SVG, EPS, PDF, AI and DXF output. [2] [2] VectorMagik traces bitmaps into vector shapes and exports to DXF among other formats, free for everyone. [3] [3] [3]
| Option | What it does | Price | Output formats | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scan2CAD | Provides a Python API for automation [1] | Two license options: Standard and Floating Network; price not published [1] | not published | not published |
| Vector Magic | Traces bitmaps into vector shapes online or as a desktop application [2] | Online Edition $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime; Desktop Edition $295 per license, one-time charge [4] [4] | Online: SVG, EPS, PDF; Desktop: also AI and DXF [2] [2] | Online in Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge; Desktop is a stand-alone application [2] [4] |
| VectorMagik | Traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine [3] | Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [3] | SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF, PNG [3] | Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version [3] |
The short answer
Vector Magic traces bitmaps into vector shapes online or as a desktop application, producing SVG, EPS, PDF, AI and DXF output. [2] [2]
VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine and can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3] [3]
Scan2CAD's source says it offers two license options, Standard and Floating Network. [1] Vector Magic's source says it converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online. [2] VectorMagik's claims say it runs in a browser and on Windows, macOS and Linux, and is free for everyone, though business use needs a licence. [3] [3] [3]
What Scan2CAD and Vector Magic are built for
It offers two license options, called Standard and Floating Network. [1]
Vector Magic traces bitmaps into vector shapes. [2] Its online edition converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF, with no software to install. [2] The desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output. [2] There is currently no image byte size limit. [2]
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. [3] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3]
A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture. [3] You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting. [3] You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [3]
You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [3] It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [3] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys. [3]
A command-line version does the same work without a window and lets an AI assistant trace pictures on your computer. [3] A version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [3]
Pricing and fees
Vector Magic's Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, with unlimited use, and you can cancel anytime. [4] The Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license, with unlimited use. [4] It accepts all major credit cards and PayPal but not purchase orders, and does not issue invoices. [4]
Scan2CAD does not publish a price for its two license options, Standard and Floating Network. [1] Check its own page for current pricing.
VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, and that business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [3] No card fee or add-on fee is published for VectorMagik.
Setting it up and printing
Vector Magic's online edition runs in a browser with no software to install. [2] It officially supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge on desktops and laptops. [2] The desktop edition is a stand-alone application. [4] The desktop edition has full transparency support. [2]
Scan2CAD's page is the place to check the operating systems it runs on and how it is installed.
VectorMagik has downloads for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), and Linux x64, plus a browser version. [3] 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. [3] Once you have a vector file from any of these tools, you can open it in your slicer if the slicer accepts that format.
Things to check before you choose
Ask which output formats you need. Vector Magic's online edition produces SVG, EPS and PDF, while its desktop edition also produces AI and DXF. [2] [2] VectorMagik says it exports SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF and PNG. [3] Scan2CAD does not publish its output formats here, so check its page.
Ask how large your images are. Vector Magic's source says there is currently no image byte size limit. [2] Check Vector Magic's own page for its current size rules before you upload large files.
Ask which computer you use. Vector Magic's online edition supports Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. [2] VectorMagik lists Windows, macOS and Linux downloads plus a browser version. [3] Check Scan2CAD's page for the systems it runs on.
Ask whether you need automation. VectorMagik offers a command-line version. [3]
How to choose
If you want to trace bitmaps online with no install, Vector Magic's source says it converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF to SVG, EPS and PDF in a browser. [2]
If you need DXF output, Vector Magic's desktop edition produces it. [2] VectorMagik says it exports DXF along with SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, EMF and PNG. [3] If you want a free tool, VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, with business use needing a licence. [3]
If you want to edit curve nodes or limit colours, VectorMagik says you can move or delete nodes and limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [3] [3] If you want a sticker cut outline, VectorMagik says it can add one. [3] If you want to drive tracing from a command line or an AI assistant, VectorMagik says its command-line version does that. [3]
Frequently asked questions
Is Vector Magic free to use?
The Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, with unlimited use and you can cancel anytime. [4] The Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license. [4]
Does VectorMagik export DXF files?
VectorMagik says you can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3] It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [3] The tool is free for everyone, though business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [3]
What is the maximum image size in Vector Magic?
There is currently no image byte size limit [2]. The desktop edition has full transparency support. [2] If your images are large, check Vector Magic's own page for its current size rules before you upload them.
Does Scan2CAD have an API for automation?
Scan2CAD's own page is the place to check its automation options, since this page does not describe them. Scan2CAD offers two license options, Standard and Floating Network. [1] Check its page for what each option includes before you decide, and for the current price of each option.
Does VectorMagik run in a web browser?
A version of VectorMagik runs in the web browser using the same engine. [3] Downloads also exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux x64. [3] It installs from GitHub releases as a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian/Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz. [3]
Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [3]
Try VectorMagikSources
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