Wintopo
Encyclopedia
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
.
It has a freeware
version as well as a non-free pro version.
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
, TIFF, PNG, GIF
or JPEG
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.
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.
in May 1999 by the original author Bong Khin Fah of Malaysia. The software implemented the skeletonization
techniques of two published algorithms, plus a pixel-following algorithm to output vectors
representing the original image.
Later that year the English software company SoftSoft Ltd collaborated with the original author to enhance the software and a number of improved versions were released. SoftSoft Ltd became involved when looking for an inexpensive yet 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 too expensive for the purposes that was required).
The first release of WinTopo, although capable in the skeletonization functionality, did not produce vectors that were useful for CAD usage. SoftSoft Ltd was experienced in the production of CAD systems, and so collaborated to develop the software up to a standard which they believed would make it as useful as the incumbent expensive systems. Both parties agreed that the resulting software should be maintained as freeware
.
Alongside 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.
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.
industry and Bong Khin Fah in the GIS
field, WinTopo has been utilized for a wide range of other disciplines. Here are some examples:
Raster graphics
In computer graphics, a raster graphics image, or bitmap, is a data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or other display medium...
image into a vector
Vector graphics
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics...
drawing. It exists primarily for the Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
platform, but can also be operated under Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
.
It has a freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
version as well as a non-free pro version.
WinTopo Freeware
WinTopo Freeware automates a two stage method, which firstly uses mathematical algorithms to skelotonize the pixelPixel
In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
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
Bitmap
In computer graphics, a bitmap or pixmap is a type of memory organization or image file format used to store digital images. The term bitmap comes from the computer programming terminology, meaning just a map of bits, a spatially mapped array of bits. Now, along with pixmap, it commonly refers to...
, TIFF, PNG, GIF
GIF
The Graphics Interchange Format is a bitmap image format that was introduced by CompuServe in 1987 and has since come into widespread usage on the World Wide Web due to its wide support and portability....
or JPEG
JPEG
In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
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.
WinTopo Pro
WinTopo Pro is the non-free version and it 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
Image scanner
In computing, an image scanner—often abbreviated to just scanner—is a device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of the desktop scanner where the document is placed on a glass...
into raster
Raster graphics
In computer graphics, a raster graphics image, or bitmap, is a data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or other display medium...
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.
History
WinTopo was first released as freewareFreeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
in May 1999 by the original author Bong Khin Fah of Malaysia. The software implemented the skeletonization
Topological skeleton
In shape analysis, skeleton of a shape is a thin version of that shape that is equidistant to its boundaries. The skeleton usually emphasizes geometrical and topological properties of the shape, such as its connectivity, topology, length, direction, and width...
techniques of two published algorithms, plus a pixel-following algorithm to output vectors
Vector graphics
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics...
representing the original image.
Later that year the English software company SoftSoft Ltd collaborated with the original author to enhance the software and a number of improved versions were released. SoftSoft Ltd became involved when looking for an inexpensive yet 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 too expensive for the purposes that was required).
The first release of WinTopo, although capable in the skeletonization functionality, did not produce vectors that were useful for CAD usage. SoftSoft Ltd was experienced in the production of CAD systems, and so collaborated to develop the software up to a standard which they believed would make it as useful as the incumbent expensive systems. Both parties agreed that the resulting software should be maintained as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
.
Alongside 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.
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.
Uses
Although developed by SoftSoft Ltd in the CADComputer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
industry and Bong Khin Fah in the GIS
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
field, WinTopo has been utilized for a wide range of other disciplines. Here are some examples:
- Robotics A robot portrait painter.
- 3D Ground modeling Creation of a DEMDigital elevation modelA digital elevation model is a digital model or 3-D representation of a terrain's surface — commonly for a planet , moon, or asteroid — created from terrain elevation data....
from a contour mapContour lineA contour line of a function of two variables is a curve along which the function has a constant value. In cartography, a contour line joins points of equal elevation above a given level, such as mean sea level...
. - CNC Cutting Preparation of raster images for CNC cutting machines.
- Embroidery Preparation of raster images for digital embroideryEmbroideryEmbroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins....
sewing machineSewing machineA sewing machine is a textile machine used to stitch fabric, cards and other material together with thread. Sewing machines were invented during the first Industrial Revolution to decrease the amount of manual sewing work performed in clothing companies...
s. - Clothing Creation of clothing designs from raster images.
- Medicine Diagnosis of Burst Fracture of the SpineVertebral columnIn human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
on Plain RadiographsRadiographyRadiography is the use of X-rays to view a non-uniformly composed material such as the human body. By using the physical properties of the ray an image can be developed which displays areas of different density and composition....
. - Woodcutting CNC Milling of raster images.
- Ancient Art Analysis of ancient rock paintings.
- Photo Engraving Preparation of a photo for a CNC engravingEngravingEngraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
machine.