I have JPG of metal sign I want to cut

[benakshvac]

Does anyone know what type of software I would need to do this?

[acourtjester]

There are a few that work fine and are used by members here. The one I like is Inkscape, it is free and will do about all you need to convert Jpeg
to either DXF or SVG files. Works in either metric or Inch dimensions, and there are a large amount of tutorials on YouTube showing how to use it.
There is a section on Plasma Spider for Inkscape, and you can use the search function in the upper right to see info from members.

[adbuch]

Does anyone know what type of software I would need to do this?

What is "JPG"?
David

[djreiswig]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPEG

[adbuch]

OK. It just occurred to me before I read you link. JPEG (.jpg)
David

[adbuch]

Does anyone know what type of software I would need to do this?

I personally use Inkscape most of the time when I need to do an auto-trace of a existing bitmap/jpeg file. I find it gives excellent results most of the time. For manual tracing of bitmap/jpeg files - I normally use Design Edge - which is not free and quite expensive. You can do manual tracing using Inkscape as well. I just did a short "tutorial" for another member wanting to learn how to manually trace his image. I have included some screen shots below. You can read about the details by clicking on the link below.

David

viewtopic.php?f=98&t=33100

fox manual trace 1.jpg

fox manual trace 2.jpg

fox manual trace 3.jpg

fox manual trace 4.jpg

fox manual trace 5.jpg

fox manual trace 6.jpg

fox manual trace 7.jpg

fox manual trace 8.jpg

[adbuch]

For auto trace with Inkscape, here is the sequence I use. Basically import jpeg to Inkscape, Path/Trace Bitmap, and finally save in DXF R14 format.
David

path, trace bitmap 1.jpg

path, trace bitmap 2.jpg

path, trace bitmap 3.jpg

path, trace bitmap 4.jpg

Timber and Sea logo.jpg

[adbuch]

Here is a photo of the finished sign created by a fellow Plasmacam owner.
David

timber & sea finished sign.JPG

[acourtjester]

Good show, tutorial for 2 different software setups

[AREA]

Great Inkscape tracing crash courses David. Thank you. With the increasing expense of software these days Inkscape is becoming much more attractive.

[adbuch]

Thanks guys! I think Tom is really the Inkscape expert here, but I have some fun trying to learn some new things - and Inkscape is one of them. I normally use Design Edge, but it is always great to have more than one way to "skin a cat". One of these days I would really like to take a "course" on Inkscape to learn about all of its capabilities.

I would probably start off by studying this Inkscape User's Guide.

https://inkscape-manuals.readthedocs.io ... rface.html

Inkscape manual.jpg

And maybe watch a video like this one. I think Tom might have shared this one in a previous post.

David

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JjBMHTcTcQ&t=1s

Make your Inkscape Awesome.jpg

[acourtjester]

Here is another set of tutorials that may be useful
https://www.youtube.com/c/LogosByNick

[adbuch]

Thanks Tom! I will bookmark that one as well to add it to my list.
David