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raster to vector conversion


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For years there has been talk of software that will convert raster (scanned) drawings to vector drawings so they can be used with cad software.  Is there one on the market that works?  It would be a lot easier than having to trace scanned plans.

 

Bob

Every build is a learning experience.

 

Current build:  SS_ Mariefred

 

Completed builds:  US Coast Guard Pequot   Friendship-sloop,  Schooner Lettie-G.-Howard,   Spray,   Grand-Banks-dory

                                                a gaff rigged yawl,  HOGA (YT-146),  Int'l Dragon Class II,   Two Edwardian Launches 

 

In the Gallery:   Catboat,   International-Dragon-Class,   Spray

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Bob, there is some freeware that I have been using that works pretty well. It is called Inkscape and is a lot like Adobe Illustrator. I have done a few raster to vector conversions, but not a whole lot. The output will also depend on the quality of the image. There is a companion freeware program called GIMP that I use to clean up the images after scanning them and before vectorizing them. The one caveat is that the vectorization makes a lot of points, so editing after vectorization is a pain.

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Thanks Tom, that seems to be the problem with all I've seen.  They vecrorize into pionts or short lines and the you still have a lot of work to do.

 

Bob

Every build is a learning experience.

 

Current build:  SS_ Mariefred

 

Completed builds:  US Coast Guard Pequot   Friendship-sloop,  Schooner Lettie-G.-Howard,   Spray,   Grand-Banks-dory

                                                a gaff rigged yawl,  HOGA (YT-146),  Int'l Dragon Class II,   Two Edwardian Launches 

 

In the Gallery:   Catboat,   International-Dragon-Class,   Spray

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Cap'n Bob, that's been my experience.  I did post a short tutorial on using illustrator to fix old bitmap plans,(post #11) it's probably info you already know...

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/6361-need-help-enlarging-image-to-start-first-kit-over/

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If you are using Autocad there is a program that goes with it called Raster Design. It does what you are asking for.

 There is no quick conversion programs because all scanned images have faults. These must be corrected before you can convert. pixel dots , lines that are larger, or don't intersect. These are some of the problems.

 If you go to you tube you can see short vids about what Raster design operates.

 Not the answer you are looking for but hope it informs you.

 Dave

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Bob I have run into the same problem occasionally and found that using a drawing program to trace manually better in the long run, than using the trace utility than the pain of correcting of all the points that have been mentioned in the conversion process.

 

The added advantage of manually being that one can leave off irrelevant data (smudges etc) and work immediately in layers as you draw.

 

But my drawing technology is older than what is available these days.

 

Michael

Current builds  Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8;      Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8;       Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8

Other projects  Pilot Cutter 1:500 ;   Maria, 1:2  Now just a memory    

Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8

Finished projects  A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100  

 

Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.

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Yes Michael, I'm with you.  I drew on a board before AutoCad and then when 3d came along I switched to SolidWorks.  And for most of that time the software developers have talked about designing a program that could do the conversion.  Since I have been away from the industry for so long I was only wondering if a conversion program was ever perfected.  Oh well.

 

Bob

Every build is a learning experience.

 

Current build:  SS_ Mariefred

 

Completed builds:  US Coast Guard Pequot   Friendship-sloop,  Schooner Lettie-G.-Howard,   Spray,   Grand-Banks-dory

                                                a gaff rigged yawl,  HOGA (YT-146),  Int'l Dragon Class II,   Two Edwardian Launches 

 

In the Gallery:   Catboat,   International-Dragon-Class,   Spray

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Sorry to be late jumping in on this. I just went through this since I am getting prepared to work on plans for the US Brig Eagle. There is a website called VetcorMagic.com. You can go on their site and upload your drawing for free to see how it does. You can do up to two downloads free. After that there is a subscription fee of $8 bucks a month with any time cancellation. You can try it and see if you like what it does before you have to commit to the subscription.

 

I have been please so far and have vectorized probably a dozen or so drawings. Anyway, if you are still looking to do this you can go out and se if it does what you are looking for.

Bill

Chantilly, VA

 

Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon!

 

Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle

 

Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli

Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli

 

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Thanks, Bill.  I'll take a look.

 

Bob

Every build is a learning experience.

 

Current build:  SS_ Mariefred

 

Completed builds:  US Coast Guard Pequot   Friendship-sloop,  Schooner Lettie-G.-Howard,   Spray,   Grand-Banks-dory

                                                a gaff rigged yawl,  HOGA (YT-146),  Int'l Dragon Class II,   Two Edwardian Launches 

 

In the Gallery:   Catboat,   International-Dragon-Class,   Spray

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