How to get panels into VCarve Pro 7.5

[gorbo]

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

[EddyCurrent]

I'm pleased it works for you and I too have used it for small items but how far away from the existing panel template would you need to be to get a photograph without lens distortion ?

[JAZZCNC]

I'm pleased it works for you and I too have used it for small items but how far away from the existing panel template would you need to be to get a photograph without lens distortion ?

Eddy these panels have HUGE margin for error in CNC terms so it's not a problem.! . . . How do I know.? Because I did exactly what I suggested when I upgraded our Ducato Van at work. It was same Shape Van as previous model so ripped out old knackerd panels for templates and took Pic. Worked like a charm dropped a pencil in spindle drew shape on board for comparison and was within mm's.

[EddyCurrent]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[njhussey]

You can import a jpg file into most cad programs as a reference image and then on a different layer trace round the outline of the panel with lines, arcs etc. If you measure one straight edge of the template you can then scale your drawing after you've drawn it. I use this for converting old RC plane plans to CAD drawings...scan them in, trace round the lines, scale and then you're done...simples

[EddyCurrent]

@calibanman, how did it finally work out for you ?