How to get panels into VCarve Pro 7.5

**martin54** · 27-08-2014

As I said on the vectric site, easy enough with a good photo, I've recently done a front window for an airport bus from 6mm acrylic because they couldn't get hold of a glass panel for several weeks.
Both front windows were same so used the one that wasn't broken, masking taped round the edge to give me good contrast, took photo, imported photo into software, drew round the edge to give my shape (don't generally use an auto trace) & plotted the shape to a large bit of paper. Cut out the shape & compared to original window, was a bit out in one or to places so noted where & made alterations to nodes. Plotted & cut out again but was still a little out on one edge so repeated the procedure & third template was spot on.
Your panels aren't fitted to the vehicle so you could draw on new stock with pen as Jazz has said.

**phill05** · 27-08-2014

Originally Posted by calibanman

Hi Blackrat

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.

You have done the hardest part now all you need to do is tweak the Node edits until you have a perfect fit.

**Boyan Silyavski** · 28-08-2014

What about fitting a probe on the machine and measuring only the critical points? Wouldn't be easier for you?

**phill05** · 22-08-2014

This is something I have done with irregular shapes, I cut a piece of white paper as large as possible and mark the size on it (this helps when you are doing different shapes), line it to one edge of ply that is straight and tape or glue it in place.
Take a photo of the ply (must be square to the camera) preferably with a contrasting background.

Import bitmap for tracing in VC pro7, trace bitmap, select Black/White, move Bitmap fading to 0 press Preview, press Apply.
Select & delete image, create a box/ rectangle to given size of White paper and position 1 corner to a corner of the white paper vector, select all then deselect box/rectangle re-size outline vectors to fit to box/rectangle.

This is a quick & easy way to do it but you might have spend some time to clean up the vector lines a little.

Another way If you have a large amount to convert is buy a Image to Vector program that will provide you with much cleaner vectors to work with and produce better cutouts on the cnc.

Phill

**Ger21** · 22-08-2014

I've been doing this on a semi regular basis for almost 20 years now. My preference for large items is to measure and draw in CAD. For small stuff, I'll scan, and import into CAD, and hand trace.
This gives the most efficient code, and there's no cleanup required. It does require decent CAD skills, though.

**EddyCurrent** · 22-08-2014

Originally Posted by phill05

Another way If you have a large amount to convert is buy a Image to Vector program that will provide you with much cleaner vectors to work with and produce better cutouts on the cnc. Phill

This is a good free program it also exports to dxf; http://www.wintopo.com/

**Boyan Silyavski** · 22-08-2014

Hi,
i happen to be a pro

photographer, apart from all.

FYI the real proper way to this is the following:
You need camera, tripod, contrasting wall/best buy from ebay proper green background/ or paint a wall dark electric green, Photoshop, Vcarve.

1. Do a Google search and find what is lens calibration. Download from adobe site the lens calibration utility. Go to a print shop and print one of the sample square grids.
Hang it on the wall. Make all the necessary photos in camera raw using tripod, camera squared to the center of the grid hanging. Follow their instructions precisely and at the end you will have a lens profile for that particular lens on that particular camera sensor.

The end result would be that when you make photo in RAW format with that setup, Camera raw will apply the profile automatically and you will have perfectly dimension rectified photo.

2. then use v carve trace.

that simple.

PS. Resources / i did the search for you as lens calibration could mean other things too/. Dont use ready lens profiles, as if you aim precision of distortion correction it could be lens and camera specific, not always, but better be sure.
http://www.computer-darkroom.com/blo...tion-profiles/
http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/dig...html#resources
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/art...20779&seqNum=7

PS2. Lens calibration could be done even on mobile phone lens, but then you will definetely need some knowledge of camera Raw and Photoshop.

PS3. List of supported lens/ that have already profiles/
http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/m...ghtroom-4.html

PS4. the photo could be taken as JPG, though RAW is better. You can open the JPG as Raw format, in Lightroom and Camera Raw browser. Ctrl+R comand

**EddyCurrent** · 22-08-2014

silyavski, good one.

It looks like RawTherapee works with the profiles, and it's free !
http://rawtherapee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5565
http://rawtherapee.com/downloads

With regard to the panels, I'd still be measuring and drawing I think, even if it's just for the practice.

**cropwell** · 22-08-2014

I often wondered what use RAW format files were. My camera files images as JPG and RAW and I have never had a real use for it so far. Thanks Silyavski !

**Lee Roberts** · 22-08-2014

Raw is what the pro's work from in photography, its basically a lossless format, any other format typically means the photo loses details and so on.

.Me