Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] HELP! Converting Hand Drawing to .DXF

Michael,
You could import the Jpeg into Corel 8, then use their built in tracing
tool to search out the center of the bitmapped drawing, but, this does
not work very well.

However, usually, when you install Corel, it installs a folder called
"Graphics Utilities". Inside of that folder, you will find a program
called Corel OCR-Trace.

After you have your Scanned Drawing, Export it as a Jpg file and save it
somewhere handy on your Drive.

Now realistically, I've never seen one fantastic program that can
accurately do what you ask unless the drawings are all but the most
simplistic. Yet, Corels OCR-Trace works about as good as any I've tried.

So, give it a shot. Launch Corels OCR-Trace program.

To use it, just "open" a bitmapped image ( the saved jpg file ), convert
it to black and white via the "image" menu, then "Trace" it using the
OCR-Trace menu, most likely by using the "centerline" method. For some
reason, this OCR-Trace program works tenfold better than any trace
function in the CorelDraw program.

Once Traced, you can do a "save as" - "Vector" and get it into a file
format you can use to get further with final editing andthen being able
to get it into a program that will create G-code.

The whole process above however works best if you have VERY distinct
lines in the drawing you are scanning.

Hope this helps,

Chris L

int3man wrote:

>Hi all, It's been done before and now I'm trying to do it. I'm
>trying to scan a hand sketch into the computer and convert it to
>a .dxf. My friend used to do this for me but he passed away last
>August, so now it's my turn. We would then generate G code and feed
>that into the lasers to burn out the part. I have Corel Draw 8 that
>he used and have scanned the image of the part into Corel Draw. When
>I try to save as a .dxf I get a small diagonal line, and that's about
>it. I get the same results if I try to export the drawing. Any
>assistance would be greatly appreciated! Even if there is a
>different way to do this task. Thanks in Advance.
>Michael :-)
>
>
>
>Addresses:
>FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>Post Messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
>
>Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@..., timg@...
>Moderator: pentam@... indigo_red@... [Moderators]
>URL to this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
>
>OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
>If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto: aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if you have trouble.
>http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this to be a sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
>
>NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY POSTING THEM. DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........
>bill
>List Mom
>List Owner
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
>