I am hoping someone can help me quick. Here is what I am trying to do. My brother sent me a picture of his newborn son's footprint, which I am trying to convert to a SVG. However, when I open it in inkscape it is very grainy and choppy (obviously because it is a footprint) so I am trying to fill it in so it will create a smoother SVG and so that my cutter won't go crazy trying to cut this out. I can't figure it out, though....someone please help!!

Hi there!

Your first two post may show up a bit delayed so much for a quick solve of your problem.
Anyway, you could have been a bit more clear describing it for a more focused answer.

By the picture you got I assume it was a photograph?
So you want to convert a raster image to a vector outline that you could cut with a machine?

For the best result you would need to trace it over with the pen tool.
If you want to use the automatic image tracing option, you will need a high-contrasted copy of the photograph.
So then you may use gimp -or other alike- before that to remove the background and any unnecessary parts, and to increase the contrast level.