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[JAZZCNC]

Hi David,

Well you have the best tools for the job with both photoshop and inkscape. Either will allow you to trace a Bit map and turn it into vector graphics which you can export as a DXF file that you'll need for Plasma Cam software. I've never used Cut2D but I'm pretty sure it won't work for Plasma.

SheetCam is what I use for plasma. My process goes something like this.

If I need to trace a image like a photo then I'll use Inkscape which I then turn into a DXF, I then load this into SheetCam to create the toolpaths and G-code file.

If it's a part I need to cut which as been drawn in Cad package, in my case Solidworks I'll export the part or sketch out as DXF which then goes straight into Sheet Cam for toolpaths. . . . . Which I was actually doing before I got distracted with this...Lol

[dawahar]

Hi JAZZCNC,

Thanks for replying,
I forgot to mention that we also have sheetcam, so I have converted a couple of brackets etc into files for cutting.
I tried again tonight adding a logo into cut2dpro and the image was pretty rough, so I converted to svg file then opened in cut2dpro and now the image looks so much smoother than before.
When I have the logo open I highlight it and then go to add vectors, but I don't seem to be able to add the vectors, so that if I save the logo as a dxf file, sheet cam doesn't recognise it because of the lack of vectors (Ithink..lol)

David

[JAZZCNC]

Ok well here's a little trick I do to quickly get Vectors from things like logo images etc in Inkscape when I don't want to trace around things.

Import the image then create a new layer and call it something like vectors. Next, select the Fill bounded area's tool, the icon looks like a pouring bucket, and click on the logo or the areas you want to turn into vectors. Set a small fill Stroke something like 0.1mm as it will add this around the area.

Now on your Vector layer when you click on it with the select tool you'll see it says something like "84 nodes in layer vector".
If you turn off the vector layer and use the select tool on layer 1 you'll see it says something like "Image 1050x 1250 embedded in layer 1". This is your original image without vectors which you don't need anymore so now turn the Vector layer back on and turn off Layer1.

Now you can just save this as a DXF and away you go, this will load straight into sheet cam. It's very easy and quick.