Image resolution reduced on editing in Designer

[bpedit]

I'm importing high resolution images into Designer for using as templates. When first imported the image looks fine. But as soon as I use the Erase tool to cull portions the resolution is automatically reduced. I suspect this new resolution is that of the document which is 96 DPI. I must use this resolution to have my exported SVG's sized properly for CNC work. But my final output is scalable vectors at far higher than 96 DPI. Is my supposition correct or is this a bug? If not deemed a bug how do I override and maintain full resolution?

As a side note, this seems like aberrant behavior either way. If the image is degraded to a lower resolution at the onset of the first manipulation it seems that if moved a non-integral displacement, interpolations will occur that will further degrade the image. What not leave the information intact until output time?

[walt.farrell]

I am a bit confused by your description, since you mention importing "high resolution images" but then also that your output is "scalable vectors".

Images typically means (to me) raster, so it would be useful to know what kind of documents you're referring to. Also, please confirm what you mean by "importing".

Can you show us what you're doing with some screenshots or screen recordings, @bpedit? And perhaps provide some sample documents to help us experience it ourselves?

 

[bpedit]

On further testing, I see a bit more detail on this issue. The Placed image, when subjected to a paint operation is "rasterized". This was happening automatically by "the assistant".  If I disable this assistant and rasterize manually, I get the same result. If I change the document resolution to a much higher DPI, the original image quality remains after rasterization. But when I reduce the DPI back to 96, the image resolution is degraded accordingly. So I'm guessing this a limitation restricting images, except those freshly placed without having been manipulated, to the document DPI. 

I understand how this should be so in the Photo app but is an inconvenience in Designer, at least for me. It's ironic that I must use the 96 DPI for vector output, not because of any raster content but to make the size correct for use in creating gcode for CNC! 

 

[NotMyFault]

You can edit a placed image nondestructively, and keep its original resolution

• to erase, add a mask to the file, and erase from mask
• to paint over, add a pixel  layer above the image and paint there.

this will use the 96dpi from your document. Resizing these layers should be avoided.

The best approach would be to open the image in native resolution in a separate Designer document,

• and add pixel layers and mask there.
• then place the designer file into your original document.

This keeps the original high dpi, and allows resizing at any time.