[username]

You can do this pretty easily with perl using the GD module or convert the images to
a text format like PPM and use an text langage to parse it (all *nix tools/formats).
I have written a program that takes a PPM file and generate the G-gode for the
image (no write ups, and it has no error handling whatsoever so it is not
very useful for other people). Unfortunately, I do not know the syntax of a DXF file to
generate the output. Except for the DXF output part, this is a pretty easy process.

[HenryCNC]

cncuser1,

My suggestion is to take a look at the import options for SolidWorks and see what they are. You may want to create an stl file from the image and work with a mesh inside SW... or you may want to make a set of cross-sections from the image.

The STL file format is reasonably easy to understand. Stick with the text version at first and save the binary version for later. A block of 2x2 pixels would create two triangles. Note that some CAD software will import and display mesh data, but working with it can be painfull.

To create cross-sections, just treat the image "row-wise" and "column-wise" to create a curve network. You will have polylines and not typical curves. My suggestion is to create a polyline in SW and export it to every text-type of file format so that you can pick an easy one to create yourself. I have written VDA files for polyline data before - only because it was easy and the target software read it in fine.

Are we getting closer to answering your original question?

[Henry Boschen]

As a Newbie to CNC and 69 yrs old, I am bewildered by the multiplicity of software programs out there that purport to do almost anything. I have a Techno CNC with 4th axis ability and am trying to get EnRoute Pro to produce 2-D and 3-D art from .bmp. I successfully engraved line art onto an 8' by 7" cylinder, (go to youtube.com and search for Hank's CNC) but producing the line art required Scan2CAM. I couldn't get good results with EnRoute.
I have Corel 3x but it doesn't do what I expected yet.

What would you suggest is the best program to get vector art from Rastor art?

Hank

[cncuser1]

cncuser1,

My suggestion is to take a look at the import options for SolidWorks and see what they are. You may want to create an stl file from the image and work with a mesh inside SW... or you may want to make a set of cross-sections from the image.

The STL file format is reasonably easy to understand. Stick with the text version at first and save the binary version for later. A block of 2x2 pixels would create two triangles. Note that some CAD software will import and display mesh data, but working with it can be painfull.

To create cross-sections, just treat the image "row-wise" and "column-wise" to create a curve network. You will have polylines and not typical curves. My suggestion is to create a polyline in SW and export it to every text-type of file format so that you can pick an easy one to create yourself. I have written VDA files for polyline data before - only because it was easy and the target software read it in fine.

Are we getting closer to answering your original question?

I'll take a look, but in the mean time can you tell me at what point would the
3rd dimension be created from the differences in greyscale ( or other similar colour data)

[cadcam]

The 3rd would be like this image I am ataching from Mastercam art of a BMP picture brought straght in and now has depth from the picture.
Then from here you can Cut.

Happy New Year

[cncuser1]

The 3rd would be like this image I am ataching from Mastercam art of a BMP picture brought straght in and now has depth from the picture.
Then from here you can Cut.

Happy New Year

Yup, I understand what you did, my question to HenryCNC what part of the solidworks process would do the conversion from grayscale to z-height.

[cadcam]

As I know SW can not do this , but I may be wrong. I can look thru my SW 2007 and see.

[HenryCNC]

cncuser1,

Oops... I thought you were going to write a little program to do this. Any programming language should be able to read in a BMP file and create a mesh or sections. I must have misunderstood the intent. Of course, you will have to enter the Z depth for black and the Z depth for white.

If you are looking for software that does this conversion for you, I can't offer any suggestions . I think that in this thread there have been some software suggestions.

There was a thread someplace about turning map reliefs into a mesh... I think the file format for the map information is DEM. This is basically a BMP file with some extra stuff in it so a solution for map data would be a solution for you too. You may want to spend a few minutes with google and see if anything shows up. {edit} I just looked around in the forum on the ArtCam website and found a couple suggestions :

http://www.globalmapper.com
(install the free trial and turn a bmp into a stl)

also, search for a program called Wilbur. They talk about it a lot. Good luck. If you find a solution will you please post it here so we can all learn about it.

Henry

[cadcam]

I also can get a 2d if needed to.Like I showed earlier Mastercam Art will do all of what he wants and the file I show earlier was a BMP of my 2 kids.
I also can get a 2d if needed to.

[marting]

Hi Guys, I've been brousing through this section and got curiuos and at the same time a bit confused with all the suggestions going on. I have one question, is there any CAD software in which you can import an image (JPEG, BMP, etc) and expot it in dxf? I am a familiar with some softwares such as Pro-E, Acad, Mechanical Desktop, Solid Works, Catia but have never found this function in any of them. Does anyone out there have any idea?
Tks
Marten

[cadcam]

Well with MC Art you can do this but you can also write the gcode to so there is no need for the DXF. Is there a resion for DXF?

[marting]

Hi cadcam,
The reason is that after I export it in dxf, I would require to defign and create cutting paths only in specific areas and not the whole image as would be done in Mach 3 etc.
Do you have any idea where I can find further info on MC Art?
Tks

[cadcam]

I am not sure were you are but I would contact the local dealer and ask for a demo and have them show you what you want.
Look on www.mastercam.com
If you still have know luck contact me and I will go on line with you and Demo it for you.

Cadcam

[marting]

Thanks alot, I'll have a look at the website.

[marting]

Yeh, I'm downloading the demo for a closer look.

[rweatherly]

Attached is an Excel file that will convert an 8 bit greyscale bitmap to x, y, z coordinates. The x and y are the column and row numbers, respectively. The z value is the pixel value (0-255).

[cncuser1]

This is elegant in its' simplicity!
It takes a creative mind to solve a problem efficienly like this.
I will report back with results.

Attached is an Excel file that will convert an 8 bit greyscale bitmap to x, y, z coordinates. The x and y are the column and row numbers, respectively. The z value is the pixel value (0-255).

[rweatherly]

Thanks. I don't use the Excel program directly, but it is a part of a program I wrote to machine a 3D greyscale image for lithopanes.

I don't use CAD programs, so I don't know if anyone can use the Excel program as-is, but it is easy to change. Normally you would want to scale the rows or columns to the height or width of the final machined product and scale the pixel value to the depth range.

[bobyblue]

hi,
im new here and i am looking to do photo in halftone
engrave with rotating bit and then color fill and sand the excess, and i want to do it on stainless and aluminium,
the halftone would be about 60 to 65 d.p.i., i know how
to do in photoshop but how i convert into dot for cnc. Process is the same has preparing a photo for newspaper
but I want to do it with cnc, any help appreciate, tanks Bob

[dcarr]

Hi cadcam,
The reason is that after I export it in dxf, I would require to defign and create cutting paths only in specific areas and not the whole image as would be done in Mach 3 etc.
Do you have any idea where I can find further info on MC Art?
Tks

VS3D has the capability to import digital images, convert image brightness to relief surface height, and save as G-Code, STL, or DXF.
In addition, VS3D can perform virtual sculpting to correct issues with the relief. So rather than trying to "paint" the image in PhotoShop and guess what the relief will look like, you actually can sculpt in real time in VS3D and see all changes in the slope/contour as you hammer, scrape, lift, smooth, etc. the surface.

And VS3D also allows you to output G-Code in selected areas only, and those selected areas can have multiple holes or islands.

http://www.designscomputed.com/vs3d/