Wintopo
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[edit] WinTopo
WinTopo is a computer software application for converting a raster image into a vector drawing. It exists primarily for the Microsoft Windows platform, but can also be operated under Linux. The software is notable for having a freeware version as well as a non-free pro version.
[edit] WinTopo Freeware
WinTopo Freeware automates a two stage method, which firstly uses mathematical algorithms to skelotonize the pixel image to single width pixel lines, and secondly employs a pixel following algorithm to produce the vector lines from the pixel skeleton.
WinTopo Freeware imports raster images of either bitmap, png, gif or jpg format. After conversion the result can be saved in various vector file formats, primarily DXF for CAD applications, and ArcView Shapefile for GIS applications. WinTopo has become widely used in the CNC industry due to the vector lines being output joined up in continuous polylines, which is beneficial to minimize tool movement of the CNC machinery.
[edit] WinTopo Pro
WinTopo Pro is the non-free version of the software. This version is the same as the freeware version, but includes additional functionality to clean up the raster image to better prepare it for the raster to vector conversion process. It also has additional vectorisation possibilities, and functions to allow editing of the vector after conversion.
Many raster images which require conversion to vector format are produced from paper originals which have been scanned into raster file format. It is common for the paper original to show various blemishes and background discoloration. The scanning process can often introduce similar image defects. For this reason there are a number of functions within WinTopo Pro to remove image defects and isolate the wanted detail.
[edit] History of WinTopo
Back in 1998 the people at SoftSoft Ltd were looking on the internet for a inexpensive and capable raster to vector conversion program to convert an image for another project. They found at that time that the only software that was capable cost thousands of dollars (far to expensive for the purposes that was required).
Bong Khin Fah had recently made his software available for free download. This version, although capable in the skeletonization functionality, did not produce vectors that were useful for CAD usage. The programmers at SoftSoft Ltd were highly skilled in the production of CAD systems, and so collaborated with the original author to develop the software up to a standard which they believed would make it as useful as the incumbent expensive systems. Both parties also agreed that the resulting software should be maintained as freeware.
Along side the freeware project, SoftSoft Ltd and Bong Khin Fah developed the WinTopo Pro version into which much research was expended into advancing the skeletonization and image processing.
Since 1999 both versions been developed by the English software company SoftSoft Ltd in association with Bong Khin Fah. The bulk of the software development being then authored by Matthew Heaton.
In 2003 the WinTopo Freeware project and the WinTopo Pro project were combined into a single code base, mainly for the purpose of simplifying on-going development, though this had the side-effect of providing the freeware version with professional quality algorithms and user interface, and so benefiting the millions of users of WinTopo Freeware.
