Thread: Help with .jpg to .dxf

I am looking for a program or to have someone convert a picture for me to an autocad drawing,

I need to engrave a derby cover with a picture of a navy medal and am having trouble with the program I downloaded, Acme TraceArt is what I am trying to use.

here is the picture I need to convert to a line drawing.

It requires a Raster to Vector type file conversion (which I don't have). There are some free ones out there but are not that good..... and a good one isn't really cheap. Maybe someone here can convert for you...

Thats what I was hoping for was that someone could convert it for me.

Here is another picture of the same medal.
[/url]

I've never had good results trying to convert an image like yours directly using any of the raster to vector programs. We had that option in mastercam with Art and I have tried a bunch of others including ras 2 vec. The main problem is, how the image looks to you and how it looks to the converter are 2 different things. Especially with gray scale images of organic shapes there is a vast difference in what you get from these programs and what you want. I have found that I save time by importing the image into Autocad (I'm now using the free 2D version of Solid Edge because it's parametric) and tracing it. Even if you do get a good conversion (or at least usable) with these organic shapes you will generate so many entities that your engraving file will be quite large as will your nc file.

micro's advice is good. I've tried a dozen different converters and your jpg looks like a nightmare to convert. Even if you do get a decent start from it, you'll spend a lot of time trying to clean it up enough to use. The only time I saw it work well was when the .jpg was line art to begin with. Unless there's a program that's miles ahead of all the rest - if there is, I'd like to know about it.

If you need to write a DXF file, you'll have to import the image into autocad and write the output using that program.

The DXF file format is proprietary to autocad, and they won't license it to other companies.

Their bad.

- Leigh

Originally Posted by The real Leigh

If you need to write a DXF file, you'll have to import the image into autocad and write the output using that program.

The DXF file format is proprietary to autocad, and they won't license it to other companies.

Their bad.

- Leigh

That's the first I've heard of that. Guess I've been breaking the law for years by creating dxf files with CADMAX and Solid Edge and Smartcam and Edgecam.

Originally Posted by Mudflap

That's the first I've heard of that. Guess I've been breaking the law for years by creating dxf files with CADMAX and Solid Edge and Smartcam and Edgecam.

I expect they've purchased licenses from Autocad (actually AutoDesk IIRC).

I thought the OP was looking for an INEXPENSIVE way to accomplish his task.

If he wanted to purchase an expensive program, I'm sure he would have done so rather than posting here.

- Leigh

Yes I was looking to do this VERY inexpensively.... my Brother in Law wants me to engrave that logo on the derby cover of his Harley, I suppose since if I do it for free it will cost him less to have it done as well!

I thought about importing the jpeg into autocad and tracing over it, that free version of Acme Traceart puts their logo all over it if you do not register, seems like a pretty good program to trace though.

I have EZCam and they must have a license to create .dxf too huh? cmon guys, is a file extension that old not going to be open source by now?

Originally Posted by The real Leigh

I expect they've purchased licenses from Autocad (actually AutoDesk IIRC).

I thought the OP was looking for an INEXPENSIVE way to accomplish his task.

If he wanted to purchase an expensive program, I'm sure he would have done so rather than posting here.

- Leigh

Not quite, AutoCAD's native DWG file format is proprietary. AutoCAD developed the DXF, Data eXchange Format, to interchange with other systems. They MIGHT require a license to use it, but they seem to be quite willing to license it, as many other products will read and write to it. Not so with the DWG format.

Dennis

What is the medal called?

Have you checked the internet for line art or existing line drawings?

Originally Posted by The real Leigh

If you need to write a DXF file, you'll have to import the image into autocad and write the output using that program.

The DXF file format is proprietary to autocad, and they won't license it to other companies.

Their bad.

- Leigh

Originally Posted by The real Leigh

I expect they've purchased licenses from Autocad (actually AutoDesk IIRC).

- Leigh

Traced the original photo in OneCNC just for the heck of it (I never get to use this function for anything). First, opened the file in Camedia, sharpened the image and improved the contrast. This is the result, although I had no idea what size you wanted this traced at. You can get in touch with me if you want me to send you a dxf, with details on approximate sizing you require.

Originally Posted by HuFlungDung

Traced the original photo in OneCNC just for the heck of it (I never get to use this function for anything). First, opened the file in Camedia, sharpened the image and improved the contrast. This is the result, although I had no idea what size you wanted this traced at. You can get in touch with me if you want me to send you a dxf, with details on approximate sizing you require.

That looks good. How does that function operate?

Copied the file onto the hard drive.
Opened V Carve pro from Vectric
Set the material size to 150mm x 70mm
imported the file as a jpg
Told V carve to convert it to a dxf and close all entities [ one click ]

Moved to the CAM side, selected an engraving tool, set depth at 0.5mm and told it to process.

Depending on whether the outside box is selected or not determines whether you get an engraving or a relief.

Here's the relief


And heres the engraving



The code is automatic and can be posted to many different machines.

Resizing this is a snap, shout up if you want either and the size and machine.

Took longer to type this than do it.

John S.

Snocat

My neighbor is using the Rhino/ArtCAM combination for router-engraving and laser marking. He also typically gets the artwork as either a scanned image or just the hard copy. In either case there is a considerable amount of work involved getting them ready for one or the other processs.
I think he is applying different filters based on what he's intending to do, engrave or mark.

There also was a fella around here pushing Vcarve-Pro, I think his screenname is Tony Mac.


Leigh
DXF is an Autodesk initiated format, but I do not believe there is any licensing involved. You can get plugin modules royalty free for just about any programming languages.
Also, while DWG might be a proprietary format, I don't believe there is any licensing involved for the ability to read/write them.
There is no such mention in the free DWG-Editor from Solidworks, nor is there any mention from the free A9CAD CAD developers.
Surely I don't know the laws regarding file formats, but there seem to be a plethora of softwares that have all kinds of cross conversions available for anything from graphics, spreadshet and worprocessor to databases, and noone seems to be crying foul.
I think that even applies to music files as there seem to be a few music players nowadays with Ipod format compatibility.
As far as DXF, AutoCad has a rather complete description of the format, how to write, how to read and what is or is not conforming. Couple that with the plain ASCII-text nature, I'm quite sure anyone can read/write DXF, even with smokesignals.

On Edit: Seemingly Mr. Stevenson beat me to VCarve-Pro

trace the image in autocad..... draw over the top of the photo with lines, splines, arcs, etc. output the file to cam, machine with an engraving tool.

Originally Posted by Mudflap

That looks good. How does that function operate?

In OneCNC its fairly simple for the user, import the image, adjust a "threshold" setting which probably does enhance sharpness and contrast, then set size and position, click ok and its completed.

The V-carve approach may be quicker and better for an actual duplicate of the image, I would agree.

Originally Posted by Rancher Bill

What is the medal called?

Have you checked the internet for line art or existing line drawings?

Its a pin for enlisted personnel (surface warfare).

Originally Posted by micro

Its a pin for enlisted personnel (surface warfare).

you really need a better image to work with. I tried to convet in both Corel X3 and Bobart. they both look pretty bad