Hi there,

I want to make a vector file from a picture. I have uploaded the picture, made it 50% opaque and with the Bezier tool starting following the contour.

The result... is not good. I can't get curvy nice lines. Look

Look at the red line, specially on the parrots beak.

How can I make smooth curved lines? any tips/tools?

I attach the file

thanks

https://i.imgur.com/HqsMSl7.png

http://i.imgur.com/xvTUasS.png

Less is more: I'd use just 7 nodes for the beak alone. Can we see a screenshot when Node tool is active please?

exactly! i always try to pay so much attention to detail that I overdo it.

Here is the screenshot:

You can try to Path->Simplify and work with the result.

Too much simplified

I'll do it again with "less nodes"

thanks!

A quick shot:

much nicer than my current version!
could you show the nodes or share the SVG?

Actually it's the Inkscape SVG. Right-click to save or download or drag onto your desktop depending what OS you're using.

A powerful feature of the node tool is free-form sculpting of bezier curves. [click-drag] the path segments to match the underlying shape. [double-click] to add a smooth node.

Link to screen recording. (My forum quota is running low). https://imgur.com/gallery/UrTRd7D

Cool that you can upload the SVG directly and see the image on the post here!

In the Bezier tool, what mode do you use?

I've been moving the nodes but I see you guys move the lines. You get a better, smoother result

cheers

The first mode is for Bézier Paths; that's what I use exclusively.

Interesting. 
I was using the BSpline path (for no reason, just what I had by default).

I see in Paddy_CADs video it is the same mode he uses. Good to know!

thanks