Does anybody know which program can convert grayscale bitmap to such zigzag pattern?
I don’t know, but may be here you can find something
Thank you! That helps a lot!
Lots of drawbot projects like this on Thingiverse. This one looks like it has a decent software package for converting bitmaps.
https://www.marginallyclever.com/product/makelangelo-software/
I was looking for this pattern for conversion. The Martin’s link lead me to the program which is doing it:
https://github.com/gwygonik/SquiggleDraw
Just downloaded it and played with it for a while. Nice app. Definitely keeping in my collection.
Looks great. Leo do you have tested it with the laser?
Been too busy helping a friend move and do some renovations. Maybe the OP has tested it though. The output is an SVG file so I’ll probably try to mod mine to do a DXF output instead before using with the laser. I do like all of the settings. You can really alter the appearance by playing with the sliders.
Have you tried using inkscape to convert it to the dxf? Im on my work computer, so don’t have inkscape installed on this pc so can’t try it.
I’ve used inkscape to convert images to dxf files, telling it to do stuff like trace outline, and such, and figure that would work for this as well.
*trace outline is stupidly handy, ive taken a lot of pictures of stuff I’ve found at flea markets and converted them to things that could be cut out.
went ahead and installed inkscape + the dxf extension cause I was curious. and it appears to have worked fine for me to convert from the test svg provided on that git to a dxf
- opened svg in inkscape
- ungrouped everything (in the test it was already ungrouped) - select all (Ctrl-A) then Object > Ungroup
- select all (Ctrl+A) then Path > Object to Path
- export as dxf
test: opened estlcam and imported the dxf and told it to automatically make toolpaths,
previewed them and it looks like its doing it just fine.
http://i.imgur.com/HcjYiqJ.png
SquiggleDraw-Grace-test.zip (1.29 MB)
Thanks for the post!
*I Used the squiggle pde
To use it you have to install/run Processing
https://processing.org/download/
- open Processing
- Select Sketch / Import Library / Add Library
- in the search field type 'controlP5' and install that library
- Open SquiggleDraw (File / open)
- Assign the default image
- This is on line 44
- the file should be in the SquiggleDraw data folder
- after running you can select a new image by selecting 'load image'
- Click Run
- Adjust settings until it looks good to you
- Click Save SVG
- proceed with converting the svg to a dxf
Excellent result, Tobias!
What, that is freaking awesome! I have to try that seems like it probably doesn’t take too long either because of the pretty big space between lines.
Man I want to try that. I am looking for a good picture and somewhere in the house to hang it.
Would one of you like to do a little tutorial or if I am successful should I do it? I think a lot of people would like this technique.
Hello,
I follow only the steps by Bradley F. 
At the first you need the following software.
https://processing.org/download/
Install Processing. I allready have version 3.2.3
Install Inkscape. I allready have version 0.91
Install Estlcam. I allready have registred version 9.018
Hello again.
Now we do convert a picture to Squiggle lines.
Start Processing.exe and open SquiggleDraw.pde. Start the sketch.
Default image declared in line “44 String imageName = “Rachel-Carson.jpg”;” will open.
Open your favorite image, press “Load Image”. I used “Test-800x600.jpg”.
Play with the sliders.
Again …
Save your result with press “Save SVG”.
The .svg will saved in SquiggleDraw folder.
Now open the .svg with Inkscape.
You can scale the Image now.
Then select all, ungroup it. Be sure you can select the lines alone.
Now I delete the outher Frame.
It’s maby possible to make some other Outline or Text, but I don’t test it.
Select all and make Objekt to Path.
Save Image to DXF.
Open DXF in EstlCam.
…
I used Auto Engraving Funktion to select all Lines.
Now you can save your GCode for your machine.
In Estlcam settings you can change the output Axis and add Laser Commands.
Because I dont need M03, M05 and S Values, I delete this.
I also don’t need Z Axis.
I only add A commands to Laser on and Laser off.
Regards Toby
H i Tobias and other
thanks for your explanation.
I have difficulties to find Saved file …it is not in SquiggleDraw folder
it was working good for when I tried it few months ago but it was saving file to the folder were my imported image was??? but not this time
i do not have experience with Processing could you please help to find saved files.
kindest Regards
Zdenko