digitizing templates

[eloid]

Would like to get some suggestion on how to digitize a
template... in the field... The application would require be hand held cross
hair or scribe for creating moulding for baseboards or arches and counter tops
or paper templates i would make in the field.


is there any tablets that can record large drawing.. beyond 8x10 tablet pad
ie just using the scribe pen then reduing the scale.? ie recording the image?
a low cost solution?

[Switcher]

Just a (free) idea.

1) Trace the profile onto a white sheet of printer paper.

2) Scan the traced profile, with a flatbed scanner.

3) Save the scan as a Bitmap image, on your PC

4) Open the image into Inkscape 0.46

5) Use my DXF Plugin, to export a R12 DXF.


Note:
Inkscape will output the dxf in pixels, you'll need to scale the finished DXF in a CAD program, etc..., If you know the max finish size of the baseboard you could add reference marks on the sheet of white paper, example, Height = 6", Thickness = 0.25"


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[Switcher]

If you think my last post will work, post a bitmap image of a profile trace (baseboard, etc...), & I'll run it thru Inkscape for you.


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[analogman]

You can always snap a digital pic as well, then use the drawing program to trace. Just make sure you are perpendicular to the surface. If the part needs to be near exact, this might not work as well as the tracing method above as the digital camera might introduce some distortion.

[ger21]

Something like this, but not for $15K??
http://www.fabchoice.com/PDFs/PhotoTop_brochure.pdf

Or this?

Or this one.
http://www.etemplatesystem.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1128

But none of these are inexpensive.
http://www.faro.com/content.aspx?ct=...item=112&tab=2

[ger21]

This one's pretty cool.

http://www.lasersquare.com/products/lt55.asp

[ger21]

Last one.

http://www.innodraw.com/homepage.html

[Switcher]

Just a revision to post #2, If you don't already have a Contour Gage, you can get one for less than $20.


Updated:

1) Trace the profile from a Contour Gage, onto a white sheet of printer paper.

2) Scan the traced profile, with a flatbed scanner.

3) Save the scan as a Bitmap image, on your PC

4) Open the image into Inkscape 0.46

5) Use my DXF Plugin, to export a R12 DXF.


.

[Hirudin]

Could someone please give me a brief description of what you guys are talking about?

It looks like you'd like to digitally measure counter tops. Maybe so you can install a new counter top with another material or something?

I'm guessing there must be a reason you cannot measure by hand, but I can't figure out what it might be.

[eloid]

what im after is a digitize ....complex shapes ie large
application ie scribing the curved wall for ganite counter tops...also crown moulds or curved walls applications, or complex roman S curve arches see attached picture.

I dont need copy moulding or scribe the moulding, i require to digitize the out- line of a curvered or s shape wall.... to cut custom trim work to fit and follow the outline of the wall. Worst case if i have a large paper temple ie 10 feet long, whats a easy way to suck it into a cad program... with some didy digitizer?

application is new construction.... there is no existing counter top!

[Switcher]

Ok, (forget what I already posted, HA ).

What about something like the

I-Pen

I-Pen

, I looked at these a while back for a program I was working on, my only ? is, say you have a CAD program open, what would happen when you get to the max size of your PC screen, & you need 10' of travel?

Anyway, it's another idea, under $20


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[eloid]

Originally Posted by Switcher Ok, (forget what I already posted, HA ). What about something like the I-Pen, I looked at these a while back for a program I was working on, my only ? is, say you have a CAD program open, what would happen when you get to the max size of your PC screen, & you need 10' of travel? Anyway, it's another idea, under $20 .

with acad your paper size can be any size ie 100 feet or more all scalable
so as long as the pen is compatable...but it will only work in 2d mode im guessing