Scaning or Digitizing a sticker?

[scot w.]

Well I think what i'm asking would be pretty simple to do but I can't seem to have any luck. I'm trying to take a Sticker / Emblem and convert it to a line drwaing of it in a DXF format. I was wondering if there is Anything out there that can take a Sticker or an emblem and have it scaned and produce a nice smooth line drawing.

 

I'm having some stuff Laser Engraved and the engraver first said it wasn't a problem and now once he scaned a sticker and the lines don't look smooth magnafyied at 800% he said it won't work and that I need to have CAD drawings before he can continue.

 

He recently gave me a REALLY OLD copy of KeyCAD (94) and told me to try and draw them and send him the DXF files. LOL I NEVER even looked at a CAD software in my life. In two days already I have drawn 4 drawings that have turned out just awsome!

BUT there has to be an easyier way to take a flat drawing of something and create another from it. ( Is there?)

 

Here is some examles of material with the paterns on with what I want to re-create in DXF line drawing Filled in with black.

 

Scot W.

[ReMark]

I'm partial to digitizing but you have to have a digitizer and a puck to do it. When I digitize I use polylines. Curves are a problem because after using polylines you have to "fit" the curve. Sometimes I can substitute an arc and it will work out just fine.

[rustysilo]

At this point I think we've come to the conclusion (at cadtutor anyway) that there really isn't a way to automate this process. Most of us would end up just scanning the image, importing it into cadd, and then tracing it for the best result (or digitizing as ReMark said).

 

There are a handful of softwares that propose to convert a raster file to a vector file, but you would still have to do extensive cleanup after the conversion in most every case. Since yours are just black and white logos maybe they would work better, but not sure. You could always go download a trial of one and give it a whirl before spending the money.

[rustysilo]

Here is one such software that appears to allow you to do it online at a price as well as the option to buy the software. If I read it right you can try one for free.

http://vectormagic.com/

 

NOTE: Doesn't look like it supports .dxf output.

[rustysilo]

Here's something to try. Download and install Inkscape if you don't have it already. Open it. Go to File > Import. Then Shift-Alt-B (or Path > Trace Bitmap) for the "trace bitmap" function (might toy with the settings). Click OK. Saveas .dxf and see how that works. I am unable to open the file in AutoCAD 2008, but maybe his software or your KeyCAD will. It appears to do a good job on the image you posted though and I'm sure that your actual scanned images are even better to work with.

[rkent]

I believe using Illustrator can help with this, but in the end enough editing is required that you may as well just trace it. A little tip that might help some, draw/trace the object at a very large size, like 100X what you want, then scale it down when are ready to make the DXF. Somthing I learned years ago prepping a plate for offset printing.

[Coosbaylumber]

 

There are a handful of softwares that propose to convert a raster file to a vector file, but you would still have to do extensive cleanup after the conversion in most every case. Since yours are just black and white logos maybe they would work better, but not sure. You could always go download a trial of one and give it a whirl before spending the money.

 

I have used the Freeware WinTopo (out of the U.K. by Softsoft Ltd.) for past few years. They have a group over at Yahoo set up for Q&A. It is a memory hog, but works good on lines, not so well on big text.

 

Wm.

[rustysilo]

Yeah I've tried that one out before a few years ago. The quality of the conversion was pretty bad, but then my scans weren't very good quality to begin with. I haven't tried it with a good quality scan.

[scot w.]

Some great info guy's thanks! I wasn't aware that an image could be scaned and then opened into the CAD program and traced! That would work out great I think.

 

Thanks for the links and the great help guy's! I'm going to go try this and see what happens.

 

Oh one other thing! How do I pull up an image to paste in the program for tracing?

 

Scot W.

[rustysilo]

Glad to help.

 

Not sure how to bring an image into KeyCAD. With AutoCAD the user would type in IMAGE and then insert.

[ReMark]

In Key CAD? Not sure. In AutoCAD one way is to type -image at the command line. Does Key CAD use a command line? Does Key CAD have an Import command?

[MaxwellEdison]

You can always try copy (ctrl+c) and paste (ctrl+v)

[Coosbaylumber]

Rusty....

 

The freebie WinTopo does not too good on big solid objects, like can be found on bold text, but better on lines. I would think the latest version would not do so well in the bold text areas, but good in the linework arena. Most of the improvements over past two years now have been in compatibility to MS operating systems.

 

Wm.

 

Wm.

[rustysilo]

Here's an addendum to my previous post about using Inkscape that you might give a try.

 

http://www.sinogowitz.ch/pdf/dxf_freeware_tutorial.pdf

[rustysilo]

I just gave it a shot and it came out sorta OK. I imported the dxf into cademia. I first generated only centerlines with pstoedit and that didn't work worth a hoot in a hollar. Then I generated outlines and it produced better results. It might work with some testing and troubleshooting with different settings. I'm gonna have to try it with AutoCAD at work when I get a chance.

[baobei816]

Water pipes

 

 

I am thinking about buying some wholesale water pipes from this company in China but I am not sure if they are legal to bring in to the states? What are the laws on water pipes, bongs, and pipes?