how can i draw gate decorations

[ittayd]

How do I draw decorations such as in this: http://3.imimg.com/data3/OD/QG/MY-4217235/shahi-gate-500x500.jpg?

 

My main objective it to get propotions right and the "flow" of the curvatures (and not the exact thickness of lines or the endings).

[ReMark]

Attach an image to your drawing and trace over them is one option.

[Tiger]

I have not had much luck in getting SPLINE to do exactly what I want, but perhaps you would have better luck.

 

I think I would get the image into AutoCAD (copy-paste or import or just drag-n-drop) and start tracing over it with LINEs and ARCs and see what can be done with that.. then just fiddle away.

 

Good luck!

[ReMark]

Another option is to design your own. Do a search on "wrought iron gates", look at some images, roughly sketch out ideas on paper than bring it all together in CAD. It's your gate so let your imagination run wild. Personalize it. Then come back here and share your creation with us. Go...think...do.

[eldon]

I did this and it still looks a bit bumpy in places. I use a polyline for tracing, with short strait legs and curve fit afterwards.

 

The advantages are that you can trace one detail and copy it about. And you can draw one side and mirror it to get the other side. And you can get the spacing equal.

[Bill Tillman]

Check out this website. They have just about everything you could ever want for fence and gate appurtances. And they have CAD drawings available for downloading, although sometimes you have to call their salespeople and ask them to email you it to you. There are many other sites out there like this I'm sure but this is the one I've used mostly.

[Quik&Easy]

What do you want to do with it? Simply for detail in your presentations or are you sending the final result to be cut by laser or some such? Raster to vector conversion programs will save you a lot of effort if this is not a one time thing. May not be spot-on but still a time saver. Or, do a single picket and repeat as needed as has already been mentioned. Image quality will be key if you are tracing. Low resolution distorts quickly when you zoom in; best to use high resolution images for best results.

[ReMark]

The quality of raster to vector conversion is suspect at best. I wouldn't waste my time.

[Quik&Easy]

I've got 10+ years working with this very problem and I can tell you that the "Cutting Shop" program from Arbor Image excels at what he's wanting to do. I've mentioned this program before. I don't know if they still have a free trial download or not but I think if you spent some time with this program you might change your mind a bit. The OP specifies working from a JPEG and I do this often. He doesn't specify how often he needs to do this or why he needs this ability. I know I'm an AutoCAD novice but raster to vector is something I have a fair bit of experience with. If this is going to be a regular project for him, it will save him lots of time. Again, the quality of the image being converted is key no matter which way you try it.

[ReMark]

Is he actually working from a jpeg or using it as a reference so we know what he is talking about (i.e. - a wrought iron gate)?

 

Cutting Shop v4.5 can be purchased here...http://www.arborimage.com/cutgshop.htm

 

I'm from Missouri so I'd have to see it to believe it.

 

Oops...I see there is a free trial. Maybe I'll give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

Wow...those are some steep prices. I hope the OP plans on doing a lot of this type of work. If the gate is a one-off then he would be better off following one of the other suggestions offered.

[Quik&Easy]

I went back and re-read his post and I think you're right, he's not converting from an existing image but seems like wanting to create from scratch. More info from him would be helpful. Cutting shop does have a free-hand tool, similar to drawing in MS Paint, that adds vertex's as you go, which you can easily manipulate and smooth out as needed later.

[ReMark]

Most people will tend to look for the free conversion programs rather than shell out any cash for something that might actually work as advertized especially if it is a one time need.