US Patent 7636097 Methods and apparatus for tracing image data

A system provides processes image data by obtaining a first image in a first data format such as a raster image. The system applies a tracing algorithm to the first image to produce a trace image of the first image. The trace image is maintained in a second data format such as a vector data format. The system displays, in an overlapping format, each of the first image in the first data format and the trace image in the second data format to allow the used to compare the differences between the two image formats. The system also provides a live trace feature that automatically applies changes to the first image in the first data format to the trace image.