Raster to Vector

[Kevin Goddard]

I just downloaded the 30 day trial version of the raster to vector chook. The help file is complete except for the "how to use the program" section. I am trying to bring in a .bmp and when I get to the second screen, where you pick centerline or outline, I get no preview. I have tried scrolling around with the slides but nothing. It pretty much ends there, nothing comes into Mastercam. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong? Thanks in advance.

[Keith Graydon]

Does it support the .bmp extension? i cant remember. MY 30 days ran out long ago. I think it's .jpg and .tif only. please correct me if im wrong.

 

hth

-KLG

[Xtreme Machine]

The RAST2VEC C-Hook for Mastercam reads all bitmap formats (bmp, gif, tif etc.) and converts them to smooth lines and arcs within Mastercam.

the package is an automatic detection of sharp corners and a smart smoothing method. This can both create centerlines AND outlines from a bitmap image. If the bitmap is not black and white, RAST2VEC will automatically convert colors into black and white images.

 

Also With the Raster Vector Converter pixel pictures become vectorized, which were digitized with a commercial scanner or loaded into PCX, TIF, GIF, BMP, JPG format. But there are limits that are set to operating with the scanner. The templates should be clean and black/white, i.e. all edge outlines should be clearly recognizable. Xeroxed copies worsen the quality (Photocopying machines let the edge outlines blur). Good results can be achieved with templates with approximately 3 to 5-fold enlargment.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Pretty much any graphic File format as long as it's a *.bmp, *.tif, *.gif, *.jpeg, *.pcd, and *.pcx.

[Kevin Goddard]

So if it does read .bmp files, does anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong?

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

You'll need to adjust the threshold on the linear Black/White Conversion. Also, one note, BMP's are pixels. You'll not get straight lines except in X and Y, any angled lines will look jagged so adjust the threshold to get the smoothest looking picture, then try the smoothing begfore you create geometry. You'll almost always have to do some clean up depending on the quality of the image.

 

Good Luck.

[Kevin Goddard]

James, I finally figured it out right before I read your post. You are right, it is a lot more jagged than I expected. Thanks for your help.

[cadcam]

You will find that a AI (adobe illastrator)or eps file will come in cleaner.

And a clean High res black & white will give you better detail on top of it.

 

Hope this helps