Vector Magic

Vector Magic converts bitmap images into vector graphics, a useful format when an illustration or logo needs to be resized for different uses. Its main service runs in a browser: upload an image, let the software process it, and download a vector file to continue working with.

The online edition accepts JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF files and can produce SVG, EPS, and PDF output. The company describes its technology as automatic full-color tracing: rather than simply enlarging pixels, it identifies shapes and edges to create an image that can be scaled more flexibly.

The workflow has three steps: upload an image, review and edit the result, and download it. The software applies settings automatically, but users can also inspect the conversion and adjust options when the first result needs changes. The process combines automation with a review step before saving the file.

For people who prefer to work outside a browser, Vector Magic offers a desktop application for Windows and Mac. This edition processes images without uploading them to the online service and provides additional controls; depending on the platform, it can save formats such as AI and DXF alongside the vector formats shared with the web edition.

The tool is aimed at work where crisp edges help with production: preparing artwork for printing, embroidery, or signage, adapting logos to different sizes, and bringing scanned material into a graphic design layout. The site also offers examples, tutorials, and explanations of vector formats to help users understand the process.

The company says the technology grew out of an artificial intelligence research project at Stanford. James Diebel and Jacob Norda founded Vector Magic in December 2007; in 2013, the company’s legal name changed from Vector Magic, Inc. to Cedar Lake Ventures, Inc.

The product is available as an online service and an installable program, and the two editions do not use the same processing engine. The desktop page recommends trying its evaluation version before buying a license because its features and results may differ from the web tool.

Cedar Lake Ventures lists a corporate address in Excelsior, Minnesota, along with a phone number. The product itself, however, is a digital service and desktop application, not an in-person design studio for client projects. The support pages and tutorials explain compatibility, file formats, and how to use it.