Vectorizer AI Options! The BEST FREE alternatives for Print on Demand?!

Detour Shirts
27 Jan 202432:30

TLDRIn this video, Juna from Detour Shirts discusses the transition of Vectorizer.AI from a free to a paid service and explores seven alternatives for vectorizing images for print on demand. Juna compares each alternative side by side with the original Vectorizer.AI results using a complex gumbo shrimp PNG. The alternatives tested include Dgb.lol, Vectorizer.decom, SVG Converter, AutoTracer.org, Rerto Vector, and even built-in tools in Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW (KD). Additionally, Photopea's image to vector feature is briefly examined. The video concludes that while Vectorizer.AI offers superior quality, free alternatives like SVG Converter app, Adobe Illustrator, and CorelDRAW provide satisfactory results for those unwilling to pay for a subscription.

Takeaways

  • 📈 Vectorizer.AI is no longer free, and the presenter has been using it for a long time to convert designs into vectors.
  • 🔍 The video compares seven alternatives to Vectorizer.AI, showing side-by-side comparisons to determine their effectiveness.
  • 💲 Vectorizer.AI now costs $9.99 a month or offers a credit-based payment option for users to access its features.
  • 🆓 Dgb.lol is a free tool that can upscale pixel designs but doesn't offer vector conversion as effectively as Vectorizer.AI.
  • 🖌 Vectorizer.decom is a close alternative to Vectorizer.AI, but it still has some jagged edges and added colors that aren't as clean as Vectorizer.AI's results.
  • 🎨 SVG Converter.app is identified as the closest free alternative to Vectorizer.AI, offering a good balance between quality and no cost.
  • 🛠 AutoTracer.org produced a very large and jagged vector file that was not as smooth or desirable as Vectorizer.AI's output.
  • 📐 Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature is a good option for those who already own the software, offering a comparable result to Vectorizer.AI.
  • 🖋️ Canva's image to Vector feature is easy to use and provides a smooth result, although it might not match the precision of Vectorizer.AI.
  • ✂️ Kido (KDP) has a built-in vectorization tool that works well, especially for those who already have the platform.
  • 📚 The presenter suggests that while Vectorizer.AI offers superior quality, the choice between paying for it or using free alternatives depends on the user's needs and budget.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is discussing and comparing different alternatives to Vectorizer.AI for creating vector designs, especially after it became a paid service.

  • Why did the author feel the need to find alternatives to Vectorizer.AI?

    -The author needed to find alternatives because Vectorizer.AI, which they had been using for a long time, is no longer free and now requires a monthly subscription or the purchase of credits.

  • What is the pricing for Vectorizer.AI after it became a paid service?

    -Vectorizer.AI costs $9.99 a month for a subscription or users can buy credits to use the service.

  • How many alternatives to Vectorizer.AI does the author discuss in the video?

    -The author discusses seven different alternatives to Vectorizer.AI in the video.

  • What is the name of the first alternative the author tries?

    -The first alternative the author tries is called Dgb.lol.

  • What is the author's opinion on the quality of the vectorized image from Dgb.lol?

    -The author finds that the quality of the vectorized image from Dgb.lol is not as good as Vectorizer.AI, noting that it has extra lines and colors and is not as smooth.

  • Which alternative is considered by the author as the closest to Vectorizer.AI in terms of quality?

    -The author considers SVG Converter as the closest alternative to Vectorizer.AI in terms of quality among the free options discussed.

  • What is the author's final recommendation for those who need vectorized images?

    -The author suggests that if users need high-quality vectorized images and do a lot of these designs, the $9.99 monthly subscription for Vectorizer.AI might be worth it. However, for those who are okay with slightly less quality, free alternatives like SVG Converter or using existing software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW (KD) could be suitable.

  • Does the author provide a direct comparison of the results from the alternatives to Vectorizer.AI?

    -Yes, the author provides a side-by-side comparison of the results from each alternative to Vectorizer.AI using the same image to ensure a fair comparison.

  • What is the author's final verdict on using Adobe Illustrator for vectorizing images?

    -The author concludes that Adobe Illustrator, especially when already owned by the user, can be a good option for vectorizing images, as it provides a quality comparable to Vectorizer.AI.

  • What is the name of the tool that the author discovered as an additional option after the main video recording?

    -The author discovered Photopea as an additional option for vectorizing images after the main video recording.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introduction to Vectorizer.AI and Alternatives

Juna from Detour Shirts introduces the video's purpose, which is to find alternatives to Vectorizer.AI now that it's no longer free. She mentions her past use of the tool for converting chat GPT-generated images into vector art for her designs. The video aims to compare Vectorizer.AI's output with seven other alternatives, showcasing side-by-side comparisons to determine if the paid version is worth it or if free alternatives can suffice.

05:05

🔍 Comparing Vectorizer.AI with DGb.LOL

The video compares the quality of Vectorizer.AI's vectorization with DGb.LOL, a free online tool. Despite using the highest settings in DGb.LOL, the results are not as clean or smooth as Vectorizer.AI's. The extra lines and colors in DGb.LOL's output make it a less desirable alternative, even though it's free.

10:11

🖥️ Testing Vectorizer Decom and SVG Converter

Juna tests two more vectorization tools: Vectorizer Decom and SVG Converter. Vectorizer Decom adds an unwanted black line to the design, which can be removed, but the result is still not as crisp as Vectorizer.AI's output. SVG Converter performs better than Decom, with results closer to Vectorizer.AI, making it a promising free alternative.

15:16

🔍 Assessing AutoTrace and Rerto Vector

The video evaluates AutoTrace and Rerto Vector as potential free alternatives. AutoTrace creates a very large file with many jagged shapes and edges, making it unsuitable for clean vector art. Rerto Vector, on the other hand, produces pixelated results quickly, indicating a lack of detail and quality compared to Vectorizer.AI.

20:21

🎨 Using Existing Software: KD and Illustrator

Juna explores using existing software like KD and Adobe Illustrator for vectorization. KD's background remover and image vectorizer features perform well with limited colors, allowing for easy color changes within the software. Illustrator's Image Trace feature is also tested, showing a good conversion with the ability to adjust settings for better results.

25:27

🖌️ Illustrator's Image Trace and Photopea's Bitmap to Vector

The video concludes with tests on Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace and Photopea's Bitmap to Vector feature. Illustrator's result is comparable to KD's, with some minor differences in color handling. Photopea's tool, despite being less known for vectorization, provides a smooth conversion with the option to adjust settings for better results.

30:29

📝 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Juna wraps up the video by summarizing the findings. She notes that while Vectorizer.AI is no longer free, it still provides the highest quality in vectorization. However, free alternatives like SVG Converter app, KD, and Illustrator can be suitable options, especially for those who already have access to these programs. She encourages viewers to try different settings and tools to find the best solution for their needs.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Vectorizer AI

Vectorizer AI is a software tool that converts images, particularly those with pixel-based graphics, into vector format. In the video, Vectorizer AI is central as the presenter discusses its transition from a free service to a paid one and compares its functionality with other alternatives. The importance of Vectorizer AI is highlighted by its ability to create smooth, scalable designs suitable for print on demand services.

💡Print on Demand

Print on Demand (POD) is a service used by creators where products are manufactured and printed individually as orders are received, eliminating the need for creators to hold inventory. In the context of the video, POD is relevant as the presenter is exploring tools to create designs for products like t-shirts, emphasizing the need for high-quality vector images.

💡PNG

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics and is a file format used for high-quality image storage. It is mentioned in the script as the type of image file that the presenter uses as input for the vectorization process. The transition from a pixelated PNG to a vector format is a key focus of the video.

💡SVG

SVG refers to Scalable Vector Graphics, a vector image format that is resolution-independent and can be scaled to any size without losing quality. The presenter discusses the output format (SVG) from various vectorization tools, comparing them to Vectorizer AI's output for quality and usability in design applications.

💡Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a graphic design software used for creating and editing vector graphics. In the video, it serves as the platform where the presenter opens and compares the vectorized images from different tools to evaluate their quality and suitability for design purposes.

💡Image Trace

Image Trace is a feature found in graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, which converts raster images (like PNGs) into vector format. The presenter uses the Image Trace feature to test Adobe Illustrator's capability to vectorize images and compares the results with Vectorizer AI.

💡Pixelation

Pixelation refers to the appearance of digital images when viewed at sizes larger than they were intended, causing a mosaic-like display of pixels. The video discusses the issue of pixelation in the context of comparing the clarity and smoothness of vectorized images against the original pixel-based ones.

💡Bulk Upload

Bulk Upload is the process of uploading multiple files at once to a software or online service. The term is used when discussing the capabilities of one of the alternative vectorization services, emphasizing efficiency in converting multiple images to vector format simultaneously.

💡Subscription Pricing

Subscription Pricing is a business model where users pay a recurring fee, usually monthly or annually, to access a service or product. The video mentions Vectorizer AI's shift to a subscription pricing model as a reason for seeking alternative free tools for vectorization.

💡Image Quality

Image Quality refers to the clarity, sharpness, and overall visual appeal of an image. It is a critical aspect evaluated in the video as the presenter compares the results from different vectorization tools, focusing on how well they maintain or improve the quality when converting from PNG to SVG.

💡Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics editing software used for creating and modifying vector images. In the video, it is one of the tools tested for its ability to vectorize images through its Image Trace feature, and the results are compared to Vectorizer AI's output.

Highlights

Vectorizer.AI, a previously free tool, is now a paid service at $9.99 per month or with credit purchases.

The video compares Vectorizer.AI's output with seven free alternatives for vectorizing images.

The host, Juna from Detour Shirts, demonstrates the conversion process from PNG to vector using Vectorizer.AI and its alternatives.

Dgb.lol is suggested for upscaling pixel images up to six times, rather than vectorizing.

Vectorizer.decom provides a slick interface but adds an unwanted black line to the vectorized image.

SVG Converter.app is highlighted as the closest free alternative to Vectorizer.AI in terms of quality.

AutoTracer.org generates a very large file with many jagged shapes, making it less suitable for print designs.

Rasterizer.vector is criticized for its fast but poor conversion quality, resulting in pixelated and inaccurate vectors.

Krita (KD) is shown to be a viable option for vectorizing if one already owns the software, offering good color manipulation within the program.

Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace feature is demonstrated to provide a high-quality vector conversion, comparable to paid services.

Photopea's image to vector feature is tested and found to be a good free alternative, though not as smooth as Vectorizer.AI.

The host emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tool based on quality needs and budget considerations.

A detailed comparison of the vector quality from all tested tools is shown side by side in Affinity Designer.

Vectorizer.AI is still considered the best in quality, but free alternatives like SVG Converter.app and Adobe Illustrator provide a good balance between cost and quality.

The video concludes by encouraging viewers to try different tools and settings to find the best vectorization option for their needs.

A call to action is made for viewers to share their successful settings for tools like Photopea to improve vectorization results.

The host expresses gratitude for viewers' engagement and encourages continuous learning and creativity in design.