black and white question??

[JAZZCNC]

Most decent programs like Aspire or V carve etc will have trace option which automaticly trace the outline using the contrast between black white and grey scales.
It's simple enough just load picture use the trace function. This then creates you vectors which you can use to create tool paths. Very quick to do, I could create simple pocket toolpath from start to finish in time it took to type this reply.

[AndrewMawson]

Load picture into Inkscape (a free program) and use 'trace bitmap'. Save as an .SVG file, and load it into Sheetcam (not free but demo available free to produce Gcode suitable for your chosen controller using one of the many inbuilt post processors

[aegir71]

thanks for this tip, another programme i was unaware of and free to boot! i'll be giving it a go, thanks very much

[aegir71]

Most decent programs like Aspire or V carve etc will have trace option which automaticly trace the outline using the contrast between black white and grey scales.
It's simple enough just load picture use the trace function. This then creates you vectors which you can use to create tool paths. Very quick to do, I could create simple pocket toolpath from start to finish in time it took to type this reply.

I've had a quick look at the Vectric products and they seem very well suited to the types of operations i would like to undertake, thank you for your reply