Scanners and Mach 3

[monte55]

How would I scan a drawing on my computer and somehow get it to MACH 3 What steps..............thanks.................Nick

[ger21]

You can do one of two things.

1) Run the scanned image through a raster to vector converter, save the conversion as a .dxf and convert that to g-code. http://www.wintopo.com/

2) load the image into a vector drawing, or CAD program andtrace the image by drawing over it. Then save the drawing as .dxf and convert to g-code.

Personally, I would always use #2. It may take longer, but the results will almost always be better. And sometimes a raster to vector conversion will require so much cleaning up that it takes longer that manually tracing.

[monte55]

Ger21...............I have never heard the terms raster or vector yet.... Ok. If I scan a shape drawn with a Sharpie, then get it into say LazyCam then I can trace over that image using one of the drawing tools? I almost never have been on this side of things to do on a computer. Any more detail you can share will really be appreciated. By the way. The 4" square
with the holes in it(the file you sent me) works great. Did my first cut yesterday. I bought a Porter Cable 2 1/4 hp variable speed router for my table...model #892 for $189 plus $30 rebate. Have you any knowledge of this router. It sure is a smooth and quiet machine. I made my own mount out of 5/8 alum....saved me at least $60 from what I have seen on E-Bay...mount and shipping. I started looking for a trim router but they didn't look all that great and they wanted around $100 for anything with a good name. I figure with rebate this PCable cost $58 more. It seemed like a no brainer. I hadn't planned to spend that much. Last 2 routers I bought were from Sears in 1980 and they still run well. ....Nick

[ger21]

I have an 892. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=118

I don't think you can race an image in LazyCAM. You need to use something like a CAD program, or Corel Draw, Inkscape..... Then save as .dxf and import the .dxf into LazyCAM.