Tracing Logo's in CAD

[tikka308]

I want to take my company's logo and manually re-create it in a CAD program (it's mostly straight lines - so shouldn't be too difficult). I've done this type of work before in Pagemaker when I've needed to vectorize jpg's.

Is there a common way to do this? Is there a way I can import the JPG logo in order to "trace" it?

Thanks!

[mxtras]

What CAD package are you using?

Scott

[tikka308]

None yet (well, have been working on Alibre Express and am considering purchasing BobCAD)...

[jemmyell]

Originally Posted by tikka308 None yet (well, have been working on Alibre Express and am considering purchasing BobCAD)...

Use CorelDRAW. Export with the DXFTool and cut with SheetCAM.

-James

[Lee Lemon]

Rhino will take bitmap images that can be traced over.

[tikka308]

I don't own CorelDraw (nor do I want to pay for more software right now, unless necessary). I do own Illustrator and was able to draw something and export as a DXF into Sheetcam with no problems.

However, I'll normally want to include this file within a part - so once you export the DXF from Illustrator or Corel, can you then import it into a CAD software and resize it as needed?

[Bent]

"I've done this type of work before in Pagemaker when I've needed to vectorize jpg's. "

If pagemaker can export DXF you should be god. Just import in your CAM

Bent

[CountZero]

Inkscape is free and can export to DXF

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by tikka308 I don't own CorelDraw (nor do I want to pay for more software right now, unless necessary). I do own Illustrator and was able to draw something and export as a DXF into Sheetcam with no problems. However, I'll normally want to include this file within a part - so once you export the DXF from Illustrator or Corel, can you then import it into a CAD software and resize it as needed?

This is one way if you have a trace package or similar to Core OCR-Trace.
http://www.torchmate.com/assistance/convert.htm
Al.

[grahamshere]

Hey guys. I use a program called pattern wizzard. Its a staind glass pattern software. I find it way easyer to trace any thing with than any of the other software ive used. then I export the pattern to wintopo to vectorize it to dfx. pattern wizard is free for 40 hrs of using time. It only takes a few minutes to create a design so the 40 hrs last for a long time, then its like $60.00 I think to buy. try it and tell me what you think. www.sgdesigns.com .
Graham

[turmite]

Originally Posted by tikka308 None yet (well, have been working on Alibre Express and am considering purchasing BobCAD)...

.308, you know I'm hustling.....but if you will send me, or post a jpg, of the logo and the size you want it, I will trace it in Rhino, and keep track of how long it took me. The new version 4 has a command called pictureframe that allows this to be done pretty quickly.

Mike

[dertsap]

Originally Posted by CountZero Inkscape is free and can export to DXF

inkscape works great for this type of stuff