Converting images to cuttable files.

[Jb_engineering]

Hi, im getting alot of orers now for work that consists of making images of people into cuttable files, but the process often takes alot of time, (i dont mind putting in the time) but just wondered if there is a program etc to speed up the process, or your guys advice on what i can do to improve, im always looking for constructive criticism. Ive added an image to show what im currently working with.
Thanks and look forward to hearing.

[Jb_engineering]

Im not quite finished with this one yet.

IMG-20240809-WA0000.jpg

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[Joe Jones]

Take a hard look at the VECTOR Q APP on the iPad. Using an Apple pencil and with just a little practice, you can easily trace photographs to produce these files.

Joe

[Jb_engineering]

Thanks joe, i will look into that one, i use inkscape currently, but when drawing on an image it creates a lot of nodes on each line, is the same with using the apple pencil on the app you mentioned?

[acourtjester]

With Inkscape you can use the "Simplify" function under the path dropdown menu. It remove lots of nodes, and you can use the undo under the Edit menu if you don't like the change. I like the brightness cut off trace, but you can also look at other trace functions. Another helpful software is the Paint program as you can eliminate sections of the image, before saving and importing it into Inkscape.
Here is a tutorial given to me by a member here on the Paint program.

[Joe Jones]

Thanks joe, i will look into that one, i use inkscape currently, but when drawing on an image it creates a lot of nodes on each line, is the same with using the apple pencil on the app you mentioned?

The Apple pencil lets you select a drawing tool, such as a paint brush. you bring the photo into the app, and simple draw over the photo. It will draw solid lines, similar to dipping a Q-Tip into a bottle of paint. As you draw more shapes that overlap, VECTOR Q will automatically remove all of the crossovers and internal nodes when you choose that option.

I am headed out of town, but I really should make a video on how great VECTOR Q is, for this type of art.

Joe

[kicktillmonday]

That's not bad, this type of drawing isn't easy. I tried Vector Q and still was unable to get decent results but maybe Joe has some settings that work really well.

[adbuch]

From VectorQ using default settings.
David

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[adbuch]

Hi, im getting alot of orers now for work that consists of making images of people into cuttable files, but the process often takes alot of time, (i dont mind putting in the time) but just wondered if there is a program etc to speed up the process, or your guys advice on what i can do to improve, im always looking for constructive criticism. Ive added an image to show what im currently working with.
Thanks and look forward to hearing.

Chris - are you simply providing the vector files to your customers or are you cutting these with you cnc plasma cutter? Are you planning to cut these as positive or negative images? Do you have one that you have finished and cut so that we can bet a better idea or exactly what you are after?
David

cowgirl 1.jpg

[Joe Jones]

VECTOR Q lets you create these various images (shown above) but you can also edit them using the Apple pencil, to connect "islands" and other things that will clean up the image for plasma cutting. You can ADD or ERASE anything using the Apple pencil.

Joe

[adbuch]

Chris - this one is cut ready as a negative image. I will pm you the svg file to check it out. The mouth area still needs some work, but I think you get the idea. VectorQ with default settings, then final edit with Inkscape.

David

cowgirl 1 image.jpg

[Jb_engineering]

Thabks for the replies and thanks david for the file, i wasnt planning on going the negative path, as im putting it into a bench, and would be painted black and dont think it would show the face enough. I think the customer is expecting it to look 100% like the photo, which in my opinion isnt going to happen, i have explained that certain lines need adding to strengthen the piece. But they sent me a pic which has even less detail than this one.

[Jb_engineering]

Cant seem to get this one to work correctly either. Im in need of a new ipad ao i think i will get one and try vector q and learn the apple pen i think .

[adbuch]

Cant seem to get this one to work correctly either. Im in need of a new ipad ao i think i will get one and try vector q and learn the apple pen i think .

Chris - you don't need the apple pen to use VectorQ on your ipad. I do have the apple pen with my ipad pro, but don't use it. It's easier to simply save the file as svg and email to your regular computer and then edit with Inkscape where you can use your mouse and see everything on a larger monitor - at least for me.

David

[adbuch]

Cant seem to get this one to work correctly either. Im in need of a new ipad ao i think i will get one and try vector q and learn the apple pen i think .

Chris - svg attached for you to experiment with. Yes - I agree it will be much harder to make this one into a positive (opposite of what I sent you before).
David

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comparison.jpg

[adbuch]

Chris - I'm not sure how you would incorporate this into your bench. But it's a start.
David

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[adbuch]

Chris - also it would be pretty hard to do this one as a positive as the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. would fall out when cut unless bridged - and I personally don't know of an acceptable method for doing that. Maybe do this one as a layered piece with different colors and attach it to the bench. I don't know of any hard and fast rule that says that all features on benches need to be necessarily cut into the bench. But I saw your other work so I understand what you are going for. Perhaps explain this and offer some alternate options to your customer.

David

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[Jb_engineering]

Thanks david, il be looking into vector q, these have come out very well, i would connect a few of the parts, and maybe add perspex behind it so no parts can get damaged, i will work on the files and let you know what i come up with. Thanks again.

[adbuch]

Thanks david, il be looking into vector q, these have come out very well, i would connect a few of the parts, and maybe add perspex behind it so no parts can get damaged, i will work on the files and let you know what i come up with. Thanks again.

[Joe Jones]

One way to connect things like eyes and the nose and the mouth, is to do a half shadow on the face. 1/2 of the face would be white. The other half of the face would be black as if the face were lit from one side. If it’s done correctly, it looks very good and you can include the details of the black side of the face by removing the eye and ear, etc., as dropouts well, adding the eye and ear and the mouth, etc., as bridged pieces on the white side of the face .

Joe

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