Struggling with cleaning design

[ade]

Hi, first time trying to do a design. I'm trying to put together a design to be cut for a replacement grate on my coffee machine. So far I've managed the attached design, but I don't think the lines are 'clean' enough to be cut. Not sure if I can fix this or if I need to start from scratch. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I tried to get started by converting a jpeg to a dxf file, not sure if this is where I went wrong. I've managed to do some cleaning so far. Thanks

~__#IMG_20220425_0005 (1) (1).dxf

[plasmanewbie]

This is common when converting jpeg's to dxf, having high resolution images to trace from really help.

Keep in mind a jpeg is nothing more than thousands of colored square pixels on a screen that display to us as an image. Zoom in and you will see the pixels, this is what your software is tracing around and the reason why many traces are so rough, particularly on the smaller or lower resolution images.

I use Corel and it does have a feature to help smooth out these rough lines which can help but not always a solution. What software are you using to trace this?

The inner profiles are not perfect but certainly usable for plasma, the outer profile however really needs some work. Attached is an example of how Corel can reduce the nodes and smooth your lines. Still not perfect but better and with a little more love on the attached dxf file and it would be very usable.

Smoothed.PNG

ReduceNodes.dxf

[ade]

Many thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I've been using qcad. I'll keep learning and hopefully improving the design. At least it's not a total write off.

[plasmanewbie]

Your very welcome. I am not familiar with Qcad but I would be interested to see your finished design. Good luck.

[adbuch]

I agree with plasmanewbie on the smoothing. You did a great job with your auto trace. I just cleaned it up a bit and smoothed out the outer perimeter. I'm not sure if Qcad has that capability, but I used Design Edge to accomplish this. I think that Inkscape (free) could possibly do the same thing.
David

outer perimeter before smoothing.jpg

outer perimeter after smoothing.jpg

grate.dxf image.jpg

grate.dxf

[adbuch]

Hi, first time trying to do a design. I'm trying to put together a design to be cut for a replacement grate on my coffee machine. So far I've managed the attached design, but I don't think the lines are 'clean' enough to be cut. Not sure if I can fix this or if I need to start from scratch. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I tried to get started by converting a jpeg to a dxf file, not sure if this is where I went wrong. I've managed to do some cleaning so far. Thanks


~__#IMG_20220425_0005 (1) (1).dxf

If you would be willing to post your original jpeg file, I would be interested to see how Inkscape handles it. The trace bitmap function in Inkscape is very easy to use, free, and I usually provides some pretty good results. I think that Inkscape could be another option for you for these sorts of files.
David

[ade]

Thanks, will have a look at inkscape

[Joe Jones]

The file is a bit rough, in that it is not symmetrical. I suppose that won't matter much if it is just a small grate.

Still, I chose to redraw it symmetrically, so all of the shapes are the same, rather than relying on a best guess trace of each shape.

Joe

JJ-GRATE.dxf

JJ-GRATE JPG.jpg

[adbuch]

Thanks, will have a look at inkscape

You did an excellent job with your auto trace considering what you had to work with. The main problem is the outer perimeter, which almost looks like a pencil tracing from an original object. I really don't think Inkscape could do any better that what you came up with. Without having access to CorelDRAW or Design Edge, I think you could do a manual trace of the outer perimeter with Inkscape - and combined with the auto trace of the center portion you will have a nice cuttable file.
David

grate.jpg

[plasmanewbie]

Hey David, I am impressed with how well Designedge smoothed out that perimeter. The image I provided was the best Corel could do automatically.

[adbuch]

Hey David, I am impressed with how well Designedge smoothed out that perimeter. The image I provided was the best Corel could do automatically.

So am I! The Design Edge smooth function works great, and there is lots of adjustability as far as the amount of smoothing goes. Too much and it will change the shape of the part - sort of like Inkscape will do with its Simplify tool for nodes.
David