captainbob Posted June 13, 2014 #1 Posted June 13, 2014 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 Quote 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
usedtosail Posted June 13, 2014 #2 Posted June 13, 2014 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. Quote - Tom - Current Build: Stay Tuned Completed: Vanguard Speedy, Vanguard Duchess of Kingston, Stove Project, Ships Wheel Project, NRG Capstan Project, Billings Half Moon, Dumas Chris Craft 1938 27' Triple Cockpit Barrel Back, Panart Santa Lucia , Model Shipways Constitution , MS Bounty Launch , HMS Beagle Member: Nautical Research Guild
captainbob Posted June 13, 2014 Author #3 Posted June 13, 2014 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 Quote 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
hexnut Posted June 13, 2014 #4 Posted June 13, 2014 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/ Quote Regards, Bob Marvin Muscongus bay Lobster Smack -Midwest- 1:24- (1st wooden build) Gertrude L. Thebaud Mini-Mamoli 1/200 kitbash
DaveF Posted June 14, 2014 #5 Posted June 14, 2014 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 Quote
michael mott Posted June 14, 2014 #6 Posted June 14, 2014 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 Quote 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.
captainbob Posted June 14, 2014 Author #7 Posted June 14, 2014 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 Quote 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
robnbill Posted June 21, 2014 #8 Posted June 21, 2014 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. Quote 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
captainbob Posted June 22, 2014 Author #9 Posted June 22, 2014 Thanks, Bill. I'll take a look. Bob Quote 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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