background in artcam

[menewfy]

I am wondering if someone can help me?

I have not been using artcam very long.

I am using it to carve pictures and what I want to do is when i have a picture of say a guy on a motorbike and i take the background out of it. i do not want to carve the blank space.

As i am writing this i realize i am not explaining it very well, so i will try it again.

http://www.customcarvers.net/carving...?g2_itemId=218

this is a picture of a dog and i would like to carve just the dog not the empty space.

if someone knows how i can do this i would appreciate it.

tim

[todd71]

You could draw a vector around the image. Select the vector. Then when you do your 3D tool path machine the "Selected Vector" by clicking tab at the top of the 3D tool path window. That is, if this is what you are looking to do.

Todd
http://www.innovative-accents.com

[Stepper Monkey]

Remember if you do that it will not cut all the way to the edge properly if you directly outline an area and choose that vector. You have to have some offset depending on the bit diameter. That being said, the ability to only machine selected vectors is incredibly useful when you get the knack, and remember it works on multiple vectors too.

Do you not want to cut the background, as in not machining material away, or do you not want the toolpath to include those areas for some other reason, like to simply shorten the overall cutting time? They are two different things.
If you could give a better example I can help out more.

[menewfy]

Firstly thanks to the both of you for your replies I am grateful.

Todd: I do not know once I am in artcam how to trace out the outline of the image I want to carve keeping in mind it is a jpeg I am starting with.

Mr Monkey: the main reason I do not want to take material away from the outside area is because I want the object to stand out more and I believe if it is not machined it will stand out better keeping in mind I am using lexan and therefore when machined away even though it is flat it becomes frosted from the machining.

the second benefit would be less machining time.

Hope this helps
Tim

[todd71]

Use the "Create Polyline" tool. Here's a screen shot that may help.

Todd
http://www.innovative-accents.com

[menewfy]

Todd:

That is exactly what I was looking for thanks so much.

Tim

[todd71]

No problem. Now make some $$$$$$$$$$$$$