IMG to Coordinates

[YoJoey]

Howdy,
I am currently in this CNC workshop course and our first project is to engrave an image on to this plate of metal, by giving coordinates to the cnc machine.

I am looking for a program that could convert an picture to the coordinates. JUST coordinates. (X, Y, Z)

Initially, our prof told us that we could copy and paste an img into autoCAD, trace out the image and ask autoCAD to print out the image coordinates AND THEN paste the code into this text file of codes (which then tells the cnc machine how to cut out the image).

I have searched around the forum already and tried to run this program called, "IMGTo G-Code", but I'm getting an error just trying to open the program.

The pictures i want the machine to cut out ARE a bit complex.
For I do want to impress my prof-

Cheers,
J.T

[Tweakie]

Hi J.T,

There are some simple and easy to use programs here MR Soft software tools
I think they have free 'trial' versions you could use.
Failing that there are many similar programs, just do a Google search.

Tweakie.

[YoJoey]

Thankz Tweakie for the reply and suggestion of the program, but the trial has a limit on how many lines i may have.

I have continued my search for a better program but nothing good as turn up in the end.
My project is due in 4days time so I've decided to stop wasting time on searching for the perfect program and just trace out my picture with AutoCAD.

Now my issue is... how do i convert the line I've traced in autocad to coordinates...

Again, thanks for the reply Tweakie-

[Tweakie]

Hi J.T

Export the file to DXF from AutoCad.
Then post your DXF here, and request someone converts it to GCode. (bit of a cheat really but it would work).

Tweakie.

[YoJoey]

Haha thanks Tweakie but that wont be necessary. I'm required to know how to do this sooner or later anyways.

I've seen my prof do it in AutoCad before, I guess I could just email him and maybe ask for a step by step guide.
Thanks a bunch Tweakie-

J.T