Programmes which handle vector graphics - functions

zoomable art | auto-tracing | manual tracing | pen tool | brush tool | text on a path

So I thought I'd try in a normal vector graphics program, though vector graphics is not something I've done a lot with. in the manual of FreeHand 7 The handbook for the vector program I've had for five years, Macromedia's FreeHand 7, claims that it can make a serious job of automatic tracing while the other programmes are useless at it, and indeed shows an illustration of it working very well indeed ...