Help Converting JPG to DXF while not losing clarity in edges

[fabfabfab]

Hey all,

Quick intro here.

I am a one man sign and fab shop in northern CA and have relied heavily on this forum to help choose and learn my plasma cutter over the past 4 months. It has been great, but the steepest learning curve for me has been on the computer design stuff. I find myself in the computer for almost as much time as the shop which is crazy.

I am making a 8'x3.5' sign for a local business and need some help with the CAD files. I have used there files they sent (JPG and AI attached) and tried to make the modifications in Inkscape (I hate it, much prefer my draftsite). Whenever I do the trace bitmap on the file, it changes all of the files to have curved edges and lose their shape and I do not know why.

Looking for someone to help me figure this out so I can start to crank out some more signs. I have like 6 more orders in the same boat being held up by this trace problem. Attached are both the files I am working from, and the results of my attempts throughout the day.

Happy to compensate someone for their help, as long as I can pick up some of their knowledge.

PS. I do not need the logo piece. Only the Standard Strength words with the barbell that goes through the Strength.

[tinspark]

I noticed you own an arclight machine. They have pretty good videos on how to do what you are needing done.
In the mean time, and since you are backed up, if it were me, I'd hit up one of these for pricing
Some only charge $15-$20 per file. You could even include it in the cost of the part til U get more adept at drawing/tracing stuff
IMHO

DesignShop Ask for Dave
Designs by DeLap Ask for Ben
Robin Hill Machine Ask for Julie
DXF Guy Ask for Don
they are listed at the top of the forum home page

[fabfabfab]

Thanks! Ill email Ben. I have emailed him before.

[adbuch]

Hi Fabfab,
See if this will work for you.
David

standard strength tracing.jpg

ss.dxf

[adbuch]

Or - here it is without the logo.
David

Standard Strength - no logo.jpg

Standard Strength - no logo.dxf

[acourtjester]

Question I have is your problem tracing the letters as above or because of the dropout in some of the letters. That can be cured by learning how to make what is called bridges in the letters to connect the drop outs to the outside. Image shows small rectangles that are move to the location and either "union" or "difference" function to combine with the letters to hold dropout in place.

INK 2.JPG

[TJS]

Also when doing a trace(inkscape) I have found nodes on top of nodes. You have to go an delete as many nodes as you can without distorting the drawing This is an acourtjester trick not mine.

[adbuch]

I used LightBurn to do the trace. Simple, pretty cheap, and no overlapping nodes. Just a clean trace.
David