I’m very new to QCad and have absolutely no CAD experience at all. I am planning on using QCAD to assist me in making DXF files that can be converted into .DAT files to be used in a CNC foamcutter. I need to be able to load a .BMP file into QCAD, trace the image outline with a polyline and save it as a dxf file. I can then convert the dxf file into a dat file which will allow me to cut that shape in a block of foam.
Can this be done? And if so, how is it done?
I am running Windows 7 with the free QCAD version 3.11.3
As I mentioned in the opening post, “I have absolutely no CAD experience at all”, so I would require step by step instructions to, as you say, “insert a bitmap in your drawing area and trace it manually with all available tools in QCAD”
I’m not trying to be a smart ass Husky, but your above statement does not give me any idea how to do accomplish this task, as I know nothing about CAD, but I am trying to learn. If possible, could you steer me to a post or a video which explains the procedure?
Hi Dennis. My first post here too. And, I like you, am a total novice. Anyway, reading other bitz and bitz, I see you can convert images to dxf from InkScape. Maybe that’s a start?
Ask clear questions! Or even better: attach your drawing or at least a screenshot.
We other guys have not seen the drawing or files you are working with. Is it a simple rectangle, an art work or a precise drawing of a mechanical piece? This all makes a big difference:
If you are intending to create a precise drawing of a mechanical piece from a bitmap, you are looking at manually tracing it or redrawing it using all the various CAD tools QCAD has to offer. In this case, there is no easy answer to your question.
If you are talking about a piece of art, it’s an entirely different story: precision is irrelevant and you are likely looking at an automatic conversion process, for example using Inkscape.
Anyway: please be as specific as possible when asking questions. Be not surprised if a vague question will get a vague response
Thank yoyuAndrew, now we are getting somewhere. As I mentioned in my first post, I am trying to cut some foam pieces with my CNC cutter. Attached is a bitmap of a turtledeck that I am trying to cut. This is the front piece, and it will be mated to a second piece. In order for the CNC cutter to work, the drawing should be one continuous line or polyline I guess you’d call it.
Can you tell me how I go about converting this BMP file to a dxf file using QCAD? Turtledeck front.bmp (123 KB)
I find you’re approach quite abrupt and rude if I’m being completely honest Dennis, You ask questions without using the word please and then you get grumpy because no one has any answers for you. Well if you’re still reading at this stage let me tell you that questions are very kindly answered by people who are busy and not paid in anyway at all!
The kind of result you are trying to achieve would need to be done by using probably a mix of programs, QCAD specifically is a CAD only program and does not have any options to work with sketches,illustrations of the like. To my knowledge even the bigger CAD programs like AutoCAD and Microstation do not have the features to accurately do what you want.
You could scan your image by using a scanner of course, some scanners have the function to save to different formats - but my knowledge is limited with this.
As mentioned earlier Inkscape would be the way to go or by using a ‘paid for’ program like Adobe illustrator or Coreldraw.
Right, moving forward. If you have geometric information like arc radius’s and lengths at hand it would be easier to just draw this thing right out directly with QCAD, if not I think what I would do is place points (use a different layer) accurately at specific coordinates and draw arcs then clean up and convert to a continuous polyline - all this I would do just for one half only, then I would mirror this half to form the whole.
If all this sounds too much to begin with, send me the file you have with as much info as possible and I’ll work it and send it back to you, then if you like I’ll walk you through the steps to achieve something like this! I’m not too busy at the moment, all my students are finishing off for the Christmas break/half term
Yes you’re on the right track there, set up layers for things like - Outline, Construction, Hidden lines, center lines, Text, construction points etc…etc..
The beauty and good practice of using layers is that you can manage them, turn on or off, change colour, line weight and stroke if needed.
When you’ve created arcs you can trim any overlapping parts.
