help - Correcting images from dxt or net

[tksheetmetalworks]

im new owner of cnc plasma table but dont know to correct images from the net to a dxf cut file can some one please help me

[FiveORacing]

Hah, wish it were that easy. I've only been doing this a couple months and that, by far, is the hardest thing that I have had to learn. I have a very long way to go but, I'm finally getting where I can take a very simple image and covert it, but if you read up on this site a bit you'll see how good some guys are at it.
Best thing Imho is to work with existing Dxf files first and try to add names, or change up something in the Cad drawing. Then work on getting them clean enough to convert to G-code using Sheetcam or whatever program you have. .
I think once you do that you'll have a better understanding of what you need to shoot for.
I just started working with Inkscape (because it's free) which is one of many programs that can convert images to Vector drawings and then save them as a dxf. I can tell you, it's not that easy having never had any schooling in Cad drawing.

Joe

[SignTorch Vector Art]

'Images from the net' are typically raster images displayed for and suitable for viewing only.

Images for cutting are vector image files, and you must use vector graphics software to view or edit them, and plasma cutting requires post processing to add kerf compensation and lead-ins, which requires specialized plasma CAD/CAM/CNC software.

You can try raster to vector (R2V) software, but images on the net are usually not ideal for that either.

You have to look for plasma-friendly images, and preferrably obtain them in vector format, and hopefully they won't need too much correction. Otherwise there is no certain or simple way to obtain or correct images from the net for plasma cutting.

[tksheetmetalworks]

how many images are on this site that i can use with my cnc plasma table and do the need much correction or are they pretty much cuttable images

[WSS]

Alot depends on your software (cad) and your plasma cutter. The kerf width of your finest nozzle will dictate how much moving and strecthing you gotta do. Some DXFs open great from this site others take quite a bit of joining ends together. I have not found a common factor yet. I will grab a file that everyone says opened great and find lots of work to do. Other files, guys will say they cannot open it and I see it fine .

I use autocad, cuttingshop and we-cim (leads, nesting, kerfs offsets and such) with a DynaTorch table.

WSS

[redneckgateart]

Like WSS said, a lot depends on you software (and your ability to use it). Even if every single image on this site was "ready to cut", that doesn't mean that you are going to want to cut them as they are. You are probably going to to want to alter them in some way...add a name, change the size, combine a couple of individual images to make a scene, etc.

What drawing software do you have? What cutting software? The more info you give us, the more we can help...We were all beginners at one time or another !

Welcome aboard,
Clark

[SignTorch Vector Art]

I don't know how many images there are, the forum is a mile long

In a semi-public forum there will always be all sorts of images, and all sorts of variation between good and bad and this software and that

To me, it's more about collaboration and learning and fun rather than a supply of perfect images, but there's a lot to see and learn, and lots of really nice images mixed in, and it's always interesting to see what's next....