Tracing images for the CMC

Computerised Mount Cutters, Computers, other gadgetry.
Post Reply
User avatar
Jonny2morsos
Posts: 2231
Joined: Wed 12 Mar, 2008 10:28 pm
Location: Lincs
Organisation: Northborough Framing
Interests: Fly Fishing, Photography and Real Ale.
Location: Market Deeping

Tracing images for the CMC

Post by Jonny2morsos »

Here is my first attempt at tracing an image and cutting on the CMC
110310144541.jpg
110310144541.jpg (84.5 KiB) Viewed 4721 times
Unfortunatley the white section is the cut out :head: so I now need to think in reverse and make this the bit that stays in (if that makes sense) plus some smoothing of the nodes and making sure the bevels cut the right way. Overall as a first attempt I am encouraged.

I picked up a free trial version of Corel x5 at Focus on Imaging which helped.
Graysalchemy

Re: Tracing images for the CMC

Post by Graysalchemy »

What CMC are you using?
User avatar
Jonny2morsos
Posts: 2231
Joined: Wed 12 Mar, 2008 10:28 pm
Location: Lincs
Organisation: Northborough Framing
Interests: Fly Fishing, Photography and Real Ale.
Location: Market Deeping

Re: Tracing images for the CMC

Post by Jonny2morsos »

Valiani Mat Pro CMC 120 but it is an old one not the new version with interchangeable heads etc.
Graysalchemy

Re: Tracing images for the CMC

Post by Graysalchemy »

I use a trucut, but very rarely do any fancy stuff, but if I remember I think it is better to reduce the number of nodes. The last one I did it was easier to draw new curves around the design than actually trace it which you usually have to go back and fix. Sometimes smoothing out is better as what you achieve is a graphical representation of something especially when taken from a photograph, so areas which look smooth on a photograph because of lighting all of a sudden become less smooth. Also your cutter will cut better when the lines are smoothed out a bit.

I hope that makes sense.

Cheers
User avatar
Jonny2morsos
Posts: 2231
Joined: Wed 12 Mar, 2008 10:28 pm
Location: Lincs
Organisation: Northborough Framing
Interests: Fly Fishing, Photography and Real Ale.
Location: Market Deeping

Re: Tracing images for the CMC

Post by Jonny2morsos »

Yes it does make sense. You can see on the item I cut the stepping which is the various nodes so I need to go back and do some smoothing.

I had tried to do the tracing on Corel Draw 9 and got very frustrated. This one was done in version 15 which is part of the Corel Draw x5 Graphics Suite so now I need to fork out on my own copy as this was done on the trial version I picked up at Focus on Imaging. Altenatively I could have a busy 30 days!
Graysalchemy

Re: Tracing images for the CMC

Post by Graysalchemy »

Mine uses an old version V3 :giggle: :giggle:
Post Reply