Cleaning Up vector files for CNC Engraving? Advise Please

[Bretto]

Hi Everyone,

I'm really pleased to have found a website like this! My question and situation...

At the place I'm at, we receive vector files for CNC engraving. Some times these vector files (which come in EPS format) have randon specks, intersecting loops and general "debris" that we have to clean up by hand until everything is right for the software to create proper toolpaths.

My question: Since vector images are mathematical, is there software, filter, ANYTHING that will mathematically clean up an Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) file?

Many Thanks!

[Bretto]

Bump...

Does my question make sense?

[ger21]

I've never seen anything that does this. Sounds like you're getting raster to vector conversions.

[Bretto]

Yes, the vectors are comming from rasters but we usually just received the messy vectors.

[HayTay]

Originally Posted by Bretto At the place I'm at, we receive vector files for CNC engraving. Some times these vector files (which come in EPS format) have randon specks, intersecting loops and general "debris" that we have to clean up by hand until everything is right for the software to create proper toolpaths. Yes, the vectors are comming from rasters but we usually just received the messy vectors.

Charge extra for having to clean up the "messy vectors". At least as much per hour as you would be earning running jobs that don't require "clean up". I suspect the customer will volunteer to clean up the files before sending them your way the next time. Unless, of course, this is one of your better customers, you may need to cut them some slack. There still should be a clean up charge that is negotiated between you and the better customers.

If you have a contract, job ticket or job intake form there should be a blurb about "ready to run artwork" or some such and the penalty for not providing the required artwork. Publishers, accountants, graphic artists, web site designers, newspapers, etc. usually have some kind of graphic/data conversion charge(s) and they aren't usually cheap!


Everyone else does, why not you?,

HayTay

[Bretto]

HayTay,

I appreciate your feedback. Unfortunately, that sort of decision is not up to me at this time. I have done a lot of research and it seems that what I'm looking for just doesn't exist.

From what I've learned, raster to vector is just painstaking business.

[lakeside]

Most vector path are junk. What I do is rewrite font thought cad using Corel graphic X3 with bitestream navigator I have about 30k fonts to choose from so I can generally find one. Then load font into bobcad and write to size, place on cad screen at same location . Corel also let you attach font to 2d curve and with Corel you can save as dwg or dxf. Send your custorm a copy of file before machining

[tobyaxis]

This would be a nice feature to add in any software. I was going to ask the same question after a lengthy search that took days with no results. :frown:

[tobyaxis]

Mike,
Is this what you use?
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli...=1047025934319

[lakeside]

that be the stuff

[Bretto]

Originally Posted by lakeside Most vector path are junk. What I do is rewrite font thought cad using Corel graphic X3 with bitestream navigator I have about 30k fonts to choose from so I can generally find one. Then load font into bobcad and write to size, place on cad screen at same location . Corel also let you attach font to 2d curve and with Corel you can save as dwg or dxf. Send your custorm a copy of file before machining

Thanks Lakeside. Unfortunately, fonts are one of the least problematic things. We receive custom graphics.

[lakeside]

what I do is refined graphic first in Corel and then import into Bobart, victorzies in Bobart and send file to bobcad there is always some clean up and if the shape can be outlined in Corel it can make it somewhat easier