An SVG of your dog or your kids on a mug is a great keepsake or gift, so one of the first craft projects many people try to make with a Cricut is a decal or stencil using a personal photo.
So, why not use an online photo to SVG converter? Free and just one click, right? But the thing about creating a custom piece of art is that each photo is different, and if you put them through the same processor, you can’t count on consistent, or even good results.
If you really want to make a special keepsake of your beloved dog, or when you’re being paid to create a tribute to a lost loved one, a mediocre graphic will undercut the whole project.
Overview of online one click photo to SVG tools:
If you are looking for a quick and dirty photo to svg conversion, here are the top 5 tools most recommended by other bloggers and YouTubers:
Let’s just get a visual representation of what each service offers. I’ll use a photo of myself (with the background removed) to test every tool. (If you need help with this step, check out this overview of my favorite background removal tools)
picsvg.com
This site is usually the first one recommended when you search for “convert photo to svg”. It’s very simple: just input your picture and choose from 7 different filter options. Your main options are choosing an outline vector (Edge 1-4) or a filled black vector (Internal 1-3).
I have seen this site recommended so many times and I feel like I’m being gaslit. The quality of this image looks like a photocopy of a photocopy (x10). Even if you are creating something with sincere intentions, this is a bad graphic. This is my honest reaction to picsvg’s output:
I’m not just choosing the worst example to make fun. All results can be described generously as crude. There may be instances where you get good results, but I would not use this to create a project for anyone I loved or who was paying me.
If you think I’m being overly harsh to get laughs, here are all of the other output options:
Verdict: this had better be free.
Seriously, unless you are making graphics mocking your friends from the 90s, there has got to be a better option.
PNGtoSVG.com
This photo-to-vector converter is a slightly more sophisticated option, but it is still very rudimentary. There are three main control functions that allow you to create a multi-layer SVG from a photo:
- Number of colors (ie. number of layers)
- Simplicity adjustment scale (0 = most detail; 10 = least detail)
- Color merge (post-conversion edit to combine layers)
The SVG can be downloaded in 2 formats, either as a full image (all layers grouped to form the complete image) or as a cut file, where each layer includes registration marks and is arrayed in a grid.
My results were once again disappointing. I had to add 7 layers before I got reasonable results, but I’m not interested in making a 7 layer decal. Seven layers belong in a dip, not on a water bottle.
And even if I was up for the challenge of cutting and layering a 7 layer image, take a close look at the output. Trying to cut this on any vinyl cutter would be impossible.
More to the point, imagine trying to assemble this as a series of knockout layers. Impossible, yet the site promotes this as a feature!
Additionally, using the Simplify scale creates noise (unwanted micro shapes) that requires additional cleanup.
Verdict: Even though you get more design options, the results you get with PNGtoSVG.com aren’t remotely usable with a vinyl cutter. Too difficult to cut, too difficult to weed, too difficult to assemble. If you want something that is remotely make-able, you have to simplify the image beyond recognition, and then, what’s the point?
cutecutter.com
First off, I had difficulties loading this site in a Chrome browser (on a Mac). It worked fine in Safari (Mac) and Windows using Chrome. You can create a vector using the CuteCutter tool for free, but in order to download it, you need to create an account on the site. (I actually created 2 accounts, because the reset password function didn’t work).
Cutecutter offers 4 main edit features to help you transform your photo:
- Blur – controls the amount of detail and the simplicity/complexity of the edges
- Edge contrast – controls how much inner detail is shown in the design
- Threshold – amount of black or white fill inside the design
- Remove Speckles – removes small objects within the design
There is also a touchup feature that allows you to make adjustments with a paintbrush tool, and this actually lets you make some reasonable edits to your design. There is also a paint bucket tool that allows you to fill in entire elements in your design, but even though it looks like you are erasing, you are actually covering up, making duplicate layers of your SVG.
IMO, Cutecutter works better than PICSVG or PNGtoSVG, but the drawbacks are obvious. I wasn’t able to create a very good SVG of my self portrait, but I was happy with the results when I made an SVG of this dog:
Verdict: I think CuteCutter is better than other conversion tools. Your mileage may vary depending on your source photo (the dog is from a professional stock photo), but my journey ended up in in Ugly Town.
VectorDad.com
There are a suite of conversion tools on VectorDad.com, including a photo to stencil tool (single layer SVG) that is similar to CuteCutter, and a photo to multi-layer image converter similar to PNGtoSVG.com.
In keeping with the other services I’ve reviewed, the VectorDad tools are OK, and easy-ish to use, but the results are middling at best (single layer) or impossible to cut with a Cricut (multi-layer). This is disappointing because VectorDad specifically mentions that its vectors are great to use as vinyl decals that you can make with Cricut or Silhouette machines. This is false!
The multi-layer vectors created by the VectorDad tool are too complex to be cut with a vinyl cutter. Even if you could cut these SVGs with a Maker/Cameo/Juliet machine, you must cut them as knockout layers, meaning each complex layer has to fit inside the edges of its neighbor, or else you get gaps showing.
The single layer conversion is OK, but I would prefer to have some editing tools to manually adjust shading, etc. But to me, you have to make the image overly simplistic to get rid of the small speckles and noise. The only practical application for using this tool with Cricut or any other craft cutter is to use these conversions for print then cut.
Verdict: Sorry VectorDad, these images are not gonna cut the mustard.
Design Space Convert to Layers tool
Cricut added a “Convert to Layers” tool to allow Design Space users to separate a multi-color PNG or JPG file into a layered cut file. Cricut recommends using this tool to convert illustrations and drawings to cut files, but it can be used with photographs as well.
Out of all the tools I reviewed for this article, I think the DS Convert to Layers function works best, but it’s still not perfect, and it’s not free for everyone to use. If you select “Photo” as the uploaded image style, DS automatically creates a 9 layer image.
There are also features for Smoothing, Noise Reduction and Simplification. When you choose the Photo setting, DS will automatically apply “Reduce Noise > Low” and “Simplify > Low” in the Advanced settings pulldown menu.
As I’ve said before, cutting and stacking 9 layers is not a reasonable or simple task, IMO. BUT, at least Design Space gives the option of creating stackable layers or knockout (sliced) layers so if you do choose a more difficult multi-layer design, you don’t have to meticulously fit each layer like a jigsaw puzzle.
(A word of warning though, if you do want to create a sliced image, there will be gaps between the layers)
What would make this tool better is if you could select the colors you want for each layer, then you could select highlight colors for eyes or teeth, but DS only offers a palette ranging from most common to least common color.
Not that I hate this image, but I would be disappointed if I paid money for this. (Technically I am though, because the Convert to Layers tool is only available to Cricut Access subscribers).
If I used an image with this low level of resolution on a personalized gift, I would be very worried that the recipient would be disappointed in the lack of detail. I also look at this and seriously consider my tooth whitening options.
There’s got to be a better way!
To no one’s surprise, I am not endorsing anyone’s free, online, one-click photo to vector converter. There are too many variables to account for within a single image, let alone creating one tool that can do it for every image.
If you are a beginner at designing cut files, I get it, this is frustrating. Your better option might be using the original photo as a print and cut file.
BUT…if you are interested in learning how to make your own SVG files from photos, I can show you how to do it with basic, easy to understand free online tools. (Spoiler: it’s NOT Inkscape!)
Check out my step by step tutorial where I will show you how to create both single layer and multi layer SVG recreations of your favorite photos.
Learning this skill will elevate your crafting and allow you to create truly treasured gifts and personalized crafts!
Before you go…
Obviously I’m hoping you’ll want to check out my updated tutorial on converting photos to SVG files, but since you’ve stuck around to the end of this article, here are some other design tutorials you might find useful as well:
