Making your own files.

[4Dscreenart]

I see a lot of post requesting help making files. This was a YouTube video I made years ago for my brother making vinyl decals. I still use Inkscape and CorelDraw. Versions are older but it is still the same proccess.

https://youtu.be/GWkPEuFI6Xg

Yes I know Corel has it own tracing macro but in my opinion Inkscape does a much cleaner trace.

[adbuch]

Thanks for sharing!
David

[jbak3r615]

Just wanted to let you know, i followed the link, and it informed me that the video was unviewable because it was private.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

X2

Doug Green has a good Y/T channel for help with CorelDraw of all versions.

[adbuch]

Yes - same here. The channel is not viewable. Perhaps send a PM to the OP asking him to fix it.
David

[adbuch]

I see a lot of post requesting help making files. This was a YouTube video I made years ago for my brother making vinyl decals. I still use Inkscape and CorelDraw. Versions are older but it is still the same proccess.



Yes I know Corel has it own tracing macro but in my opinion Inkscape does a much cleaner trace.

I haven't used Corel for auto tracing, but I do agree that Inkscape usually gives excellent results with its "trace bitmap" tool. I have also recently discovered that VinlyMaster Cut does an excellent job of tracing/converting pdf files to vector format. If you decide to buy this program, be sure to get the one from US Cutter as it includes the "vectorize" tool.

David

https://uscutter.com/VinylMasterCut-Software-Value/

[adbuch]

Here is an example of a conversion from pdf to dxf comparing Inkscape with VinylMaster Cut. The first one is with Inkscape.
Here is the pdf file.

Timber & Sea Logo(1).pdf

(36.5 KiB) Downloaded 71 times

Timber & Sea Logo(1).pdf

(36.5 KiB) Downloaded 71 times

Timber & Sea pdf.jpg (47.22 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

Timber & Sea pdf.jpg (47.22 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

Timber & Sea pdf image 1.jpg (15.39 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

Timber & Sea pdf image 1.jpg (15.39 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

The Inkscape "Path, Trace Bitmap" produced the following dxf file. Notice how the corners of the letters are rounded.
This would be a cuttable file, but not as crisp and clean as the original pdf.

Timber & Sea from Inkscape.dxf image 1.jpg (78.57 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

Timber & Sea from Inkscape.dxf image 1.jpg (78.57 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

Timber & Sea from Inkscape.dxf

(193.85 KiB) Downloaded 57 times

Timber & Sea from Inkscape.dxf

(193.85 KiB) Downloaded 57 times

[adbuch]

Here is the same pdf file vectorized using VinylMaster Cut. The result is a much crisper, cleaner rendition of the original pdf file.
I personally feel that for $59 VinlyMaster Cut is a bargain.

David

Timber & Sea from VinlyMaster.dxf image 1.jpg (80.06 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

Timber & Sea from VinlyMaster.dxf image 1.jpg (80.06 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

Timber & Sea from VinylMaster Cut.dxf

(49.76 KiB) Downloaded 55 times

Timber & Sea from VinylMaster Cut.dxf

(49.76 KiB) Downloaded 55 times

[TJS]

Thanks David. What a difference. I find the software learning curve is steep with new stuff. Well to my old brain it is anyway. How is VinylMaster.

[adbuch]

Thanks David. What a difference. I find the software learning curve is steep with new stuff. Well to my old brain it is anyway. How is VinylMaster.

VinylMaster Cut is very easy to use for vectorization. I just purchased it last week. It comes with a complete instruction manual as part of the program. Of course it has many other uses. Here are a few screen shots.

David

[acourtjester]

Thanks guys just another example of PS moving the learning curve nicely Grass can be greener on the other side.

Ok after looking at the site 2 questions come up, what is the file format you save in. And it looks like you pay the money and they need to send you an access code via the mail not email, did not see if this changed.

[adbuch]

Thanks guys just another example of PS moving the learning curve nicely Grass can be greener on the other side.

Ok after looking at the site 2 questions come up, what is the file format you save in. And it looks like you pay the money and they need to send you an access code via the mail not email, did not see if this changed.

Tom - I exported this file in dxf format. The options for exporting include those shown below.

VinylMaster Cut export file formats.jpg (21.89 KiB) Viewed 1369 times

VinylMaster Cut export file formats.jpg (21.89 KiB) Viewed 1369 times

There is only one option to save (not export) a file as shown below.

VinylMaster Cut save file format.jpg (17.87 KiB) Viewed 1369 times

VinylMaster Cut save file format.jpg (17.87 KiB) Viewed 1369 times

They send you an email with the download link and activation code as soon as you pay. So it is not necessary to have an access code sent via US Mail.

David

[adbuch]

By the way, I purchased this program specifically to convert PDF files to vector format. I haven't used it enough to see if there is an advantage for tracing jpeg type files. You can download the free trial version to try it out, but the trial version will not save files.
David

[acourtjester]

Thanks for the reply I will look into it over the week end