Some more ideas:
In CorelDraw import the bitmap (scan)
Setup a new layer and using the vector drawing tools in Corel
hand trace it.
Export in DXF using DXFTools Corel plugin (
www.coreldrawtools.com) to keep arcs and curves.
Once you can do that then skip the drawing by hand and scanning parts and draw in native vectors in CorelDraw. Import vector artwork (
www.Vectorart.com is a great source for high quality vector clipart). There are thousands of vector clipart files you can buy. Be careful because some are really ragged (cheap ones on E-BAY). Good ones will be in AI or EPS format.
CorelDraw Suite somes with Corel Trace, hundreds of Truetype Fonts, and a whole CD of clipart. Version 12 or higher is needed. There are still some low cost full versions of CorelDraw X3 Suite for sale. See EBay.
Pure CAD programs are not the best choice for doing decorative cutting. Inkscape has promise but is slow on big files locks up occasionally and has limited import and export file choices. It's based around SVG file formats that don't seem to import cleanly into other drawing programs that supposedly support SVG (?) It segments files on the DXF export (just like Corel) but there is no low cost solution like DXFTools for it.
Great source for line drawings you are allowed to trace and use for free (but not resell as clipart): Scroll saw patterns. There are books with B & W line patterns and CD's with bitmaps and this:
http://www.finescrollsaw.com/freepatterns.htm
Make sure any book, CD or file you buy and copy allows you to use the pattern and resell the products you make with it without limitations.
Since its made for scroll saws it's perfect for plasma cutting or routing.
If you keep your artwork in native CorelDraw (CDR) format then you always can go back and quickly modify a design. Since DXFTool does not require you convert fonts to curves proior to export your master keeps all of the font infomation intact and can be easily edited.
You can develop a library of complex "objects" and use them. (Hint: learn to use the WELD and TRIM tools on objects in CorelDraw!). You can buy nice collections of fancy designs (borders, flourishes, patterns) from the
www.vectorart.com in EPS format and import directly into CorelDraw for DXF export.
It's a hassle to learn the native tools in CorelDraw (or Inkscape) to draw on the screen but once you do you will curse every hour you wasted drawing, scanning, cleaning and tracing into a proprietary file format.
TOM Caudle
www.CandCNC.com