SVGit4Me

SVGit4Me is a high-performance TypeScript library for converting PNG/JPG images to SVG, right in your browser. It combines the power of two best-in-class vectorization engines:

• VTracer (WASM) for color and advanced vectorization
• Potrace (WASM, via esm-potrace-wasm) for crisp, high-quality black & white (B/W) tracing

All processing is fully client-side, making it perfect for static hosting (e.g., Vercel, Netlify) and privacy-focused applications. The library is ESM-first and works out-of-the-box in modern browsers and frameworks (React, Next.js, Vite, etc.).

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Features

• ⚡️ High-performance: Powered by Rust+WASM and C/WASM, runs fully client-side
• 🎨 Color & B/W support: Automatically selects the best engine for your needs
• 🛠️ Customizable: Fine-tune vectorization with VTracer and Potrace options
• ☁️ Vercel/static hosting ready: No backend or server required
• 🧩 Easy integration: Use in any TypeScript/JavaScript project (ESM only)
• 🔒 Privacy-first: Images never leave the browser
• 🧪 Unified API: One function, two engines, zero hassle

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How It Works

• Color images: Uses VTracer for advanced, multi-color SVG vectorization
• Black & White images: Uses Potrace (via esm-potrace-wasm) for optimal B/W tracing
• Unified API: You choose the mode with a simple option; the library handles the rest

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Installation

From npm:

npm install svgit4me

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Quick Start (Browser ESM)

1. Place VTracer WASM/JS Files

• Copy the following files from node_modules/svgit4me/wasm/ to your public/static directory:
  • vtracer_webapp.js
  • vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm
  • vtracer_webapp.d.ts (optional, for TypeScript)
• For most setups, place them in your project's public/ folder (e.g., public/vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm).

2. Import and Use

import { convertToSVG } from 'svgit4me';

// For color SVG (VTracer)
const svgColor = await convertToSVG(file, { color: true });

// For black & white SVG (Potrace)
const svgBW = await convertToSVG(file, { color: false });

3. Customizing WASM Path (for Vercel/Next.js/static hosting)

const svg = await convertToSVG(file, {
  color: true, // or false
  wasmPath: '/vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm' // Path relative to your public/static folder
});

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Detailed Usage & API

convertToSVG(image, options?): Promise<string>

• image: File, Blob, or ArrayBuffer (e.g., from a file input, drag-and-drop, or fetch)
• options: See below
• Returns: SVG as a string

Example: File Input Handler

fileInput.addEventListener('change', async (e) => {
  const file = e.target.files[0];
  // Use color or B/W based on your UI or user choice
  const svg = await convertToSVG(file, { color: false }); // Potrace for B/W
  // or
  // const svg = await convertToSVG(file, { color: true }); // VTracer for color
  // Do something with the SVG string (e.g., display or download)
});

Example: React Component

import { useState } from 'react';
import { convertToSVG } from 'svgit4me';

function SvgUploader() {
  const [svg, setSvg] = useState('');
  return (
    <div>
      <input type="file" accept="image/*" onChange={async e => {
        const file = e.target.files[0];
        if (file) {
          const svgString = await convertToSVG(file, { color: true });
          setSvg(svgString);
        }
      }} />
      <div dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{ __html: svg }} />
    </div>
  );
}

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Options

Option	Type	Default	Engine	Description
color	boolean	true	Both	true for color (VTracer), false for B/W (Potrace)
color_mode	string	'color'	Both	Alternative: 'color' or 'bw'
wasmPath	string		VTracer	Custom path to vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm
potraceOptions	object		Potrace	Options for Potrace (see below)
VTracer options	various		VTracer	See VTracer WASM options
...	...	...	...	See esm-potrace-wasm options

Potrace Options

• Any options supported by esm-potrace-wasm can be passed via potraceOptions.
• Example:

  const svg = await convertToSVG(file, {
    color: false,
    potraceOptions: {
      turdsize: 100,
      optcurve: true,
      alphamax: 1.0
    }
  });

VTracer Options

• See wasm/vtracer_webapp.d.ts for all available options.
• Common options:
  • mode: 'pixel' | 'polygon' | 'spline'
  • color_precision: number
  • corner_threshold: number
  • filter_speckle: number
  • gradient_step: number
  • hierarchical: 'stacked' | 'cutout'

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WASM File Handling & Static Hosting

• VTracer: You must serve vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm and vtracer_webapp.js from your public/static directory. Use the wasmPath option if your path is non-standard.
• Potrace: esm-potrace-wasm handles its own WASM loading. No manual copying required.
• Next.js/Vercel: Place WASM files in /public and use /vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm as the path.
• Vite/React: Use the default or specify the path as above.

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Troubleshooting

• 404 on vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm: Ensure the file is in your public/static directory and the path matches wasmPath if set.
• CORS errors: Serve your app with a local server (not file://). Use npx serve public or similar.
• TypeScript errors for esm-potrace-wasm: The library includes a type shim. If you see type errors, ensure your tsconfig.json uses moduleResolution: "bundler" or add a local src/esm-potrace-wasm.d.ts file as shown in the repo.
• Node.js support: This library is browser-first. Node.js WASM support is not guaranteed.

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File Structure

• wasm/ contains the VTracer WASM, JS, and type files.
• src/SVGit4Me.ts is the main TypeScript wrapper.
• src/esm-potrace-wasm.d.ts is a type shim for esm-potrace-wasm.

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Build & Publish

npm run build
npm publish --access public

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Contributing

Pull requests, issues, and feature requests are welcome!
Please open an issue or PR on GitHub.

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License

MIT

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Acknowledgements

• Powered by VTracer (MIT License)
• Powered by esm-potrace-wasm (LGPL License)
• Thanks to the Vision Cortex and Potrace teams for their amazing work!

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Next.js Compatibility

If you are using SVGit4Me in a Next.js app:

• Next.js does not allow direct ESM imports from the public/ directory, and static assets are not automatically executed in the global scope.
• The VTracer glue code (vtracer_webapp.js) must be loaded globally so its exports are available on window.

How to do this:

1. Place vtracer_webapp.js and vtracer_webapp_bg.wasm in your /public directory.
2. In your custom _app.tsx (or app/layout.tsx for Next.js 13+), add:

import Script from 'next/script';

export default function App({ Component, pageProps }) {
  return (
    <>
      <Script src="/vtracer_webapp.js" strategy="beforeInteractive" />
      <Component {...pageProps} />
    </>
  );
}

• This ensures ColorImageConverter and the glue code are available on window before your app runs.
• The SVGit4Me library will automatically use the global version if available, or fall back to dynamic import for other environments.

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