How to get panels into VCarve Pro 7.5

**calibanman** · 21-08-2014

Help.......Could someone please help me with a problem that I have.

I work for a firm that fits panels made out of plywood to the inside of vans (ply lining).

We have just acquired a CNC machine and I have been given the job of getting the templates that we have made of plywood panels into VCarve Pro 7.5. I have tried taking photographs of the panels and using the trace option and also drawing free hand. Is measuring the panels my only option left? The trouble with that option is that most of the panels are made up of irregular, complex shapes and are not easy to measure, if at all giving my lack of geometry skills.

Thanks for any help received , however small, as I am a complete novice at this.

The machine is a Spartan 1325 from Radecal.

**Blackrat** · 21-08-2014

Originally Posted by calibanman

I have tried taking photographs of the panels and using the trace option and also drawing free hand.

why doesnt this method work ?

**EddyCurrent** · 21-08-2014

You need some CAD software ideally, such as Sketchup or there are others. As it's just flat sheets it should be very easy to draw up. I think VCarve Pro does include CAD facilities so you may be able to draw your panels just using that software.
Sorry to sound harsh, but it's similar to what someone said here recently, if you struggle to measure up and draw some flat panels you might need to think twice about using a CNC machine.

There's a list of software here that may have something you could use for CAD; http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/6707-...D-CAM-Software

Here's a video of someone drawing gears using VCarve Pro;

**gorbo** · 21-08-2014

I would go for the trace way but you need datum points to keep scale of the piece, trace function works best with clear defined edges to work to try using black and white photos

**EddyCurrent** · 21-08-2014

Originally Posted by gorbo

I would go for the trace way but you need datum points to keep scale of the piece, trace function works best with clear defined edges to work to try using black and white photos

That's the last thing I would do but maybe that's just me ?

**GEOFFREY** · 21-08-2014

Me too Eddy. Just draw out an accurate grid on the pattern, measure and transfer the dims from the grid to a matching grid on the cad screen. Good luck. G.

**gorbo** · 22-08-2014

Originally Posted by EddyCurrent

That's the last thing I would do but maybe that's just me ?

I have used this method with success, but that's just me

**calibanman** · 26-08-2014

Originally Posted by Blackrat

why doesnt this method work ?

Hi Blackrat

When I take a photograph, we're attaching the template to a wall at its centre of the panel, then keeping it square with the spirit level. The camera is set up on a tripod and the centre of the lens is the same height as the centre of the template. I then move the tripod with camera backwards or forwards on the centre line to get the image full frame, not using the zoom. I then adjust it to get a good contrast between the wall and the template in Photoshop.

I then import it into VCarve. I've used the trace function, but being plywood the outline didn't come out all that well (jagged). I now zoom in and draw round the shape with a Wacom tablet and pen. Having measured the maximum x and y values, I then scale my vector shape up to them measurements and create the toolpath. When cut, the shape is always about 1mm to 2mm out and not dead on.

I need them to be spot on because otherwise I will have to re-cut a corner or shave an edge which then takes time and we did buy the machine so we didn't have to cut them by hand, saving time. We then intend to nest them cutting down on waste as well.

**EddyCurrent** · 26-08-2014

Originally Posted by calibanman

I need them to be spot on because otherwise I will have to re-cut a corner or shave an edge which then takes time and we did buy the machine so we didn't have to cut them by hand, saving time. We then intend to nest them cutting down on waste as well

Can't you import them into Inkscape for example and edit the vectors ?

**JAZZCNC** · 26-08-2014

Originally Posted by calibanman

When cut, the shape is always about 1mm to 2mm out and not dead on.

You won't get them any better than that using this method without getting deeper into it like Silviski mentioned .!. . . .or drawing them from scratch.
BUT I don't see the problem here.? Get your basic shape imported then tweak the error out in CAD. It's a one time deal after that intial first import and tweak you have perfect templates.
You don't need to waste material for the intial test just put felt tip pencil in the spindle and draw out the shape and compare against your original template. You see the error and it takes 5mins to correct and away you go perfect parts every time.!!