image file converted to CAD file, question - image file converted to CAD file, questi

[stoene]

Hello Gents,
I'm trying to create a CAD Type VII from paper plans. I've visited a local Architecture Print shop and have had the side view and sections sheet scanned. I think it was in TIFF format. I've been looking aroung the WWW and have found some info, most say I need to rasterize the tiff image into a DXF type of file for CAD work. I've got AutoDesk to work with (complete novice) but no rastor-izer software. Any suggestions? The reason for all this, I have lab built CNC 2 1/2 axis machine, and hope to route a plug of the hull.

[landlubber]

You need to take your

You need to take your scanned rastor image (tiff) and have it saved as a DXF or autocad vector image. There have been alot of different software made for doing this,but they all seem to leave a little to be desired. I have done some airplane plans by scanning the image then inserting it into a cad drawing (autocad 2000) then using polylines to actually draw or trace over the rastor image, in the you end up with a good cad file that your machine can generate code from.
This takes some time but after you have traced the outlines you can scale the plan to any size you want and the lines will remain the same width,unlike using a photocopyer to increase the size which makes the lines thick and hard to use for template work.
Hope this helps. ps (do a search for autocad rastor to vector conversion) they are coming out with new software all the time,maybe there is something better out there.

[bob the builder]

I just finished doing this

I just finished doing this exact thing. No high tech wizardry for a quick fix, though, at least not from me. I just imported the graphic into AutoCad and traced the heck out of it. Took about 12 hours, all in, but it was a very detailed drawing, and I included all of the deck details, grates, grills, periscopes, etc. A simply hull tracing should be easily accomplished within an hour, I'd guess.

[anonymous]

I did this a while

I did this a while back. Just posted my method over on the R/C Group forum. Similar to Bob and Landlubber. Here's a link....

TRITON

Fun, although frustrating since I wanted to create something to machine to, the surfaces needed to be perfect. Lots of fudging was needed to correct for errors in the original drawing, errors from conversion, etc. etc.

Chris