Hi all,
even though low rider is still not 100% ready - I have my first cnc order! From my daughter - she needs…
Tracing.dxf (323.7 KB)
Yes… carpet beater. Don’t ask me… she said she needs it for her doll house. Order is order nevertheless. Can you help me with vectors? Is it possible to “simplify” this file so it will start looking like it should? How would I do that in inkscape?
Thanks!
I use Librecad. Import the dxf -
OK… it’s only an approximation of the original!
Inkscape will have similar functions I’m sure
Thanks! Looks like process you followed is exactly what I need, I was just hoping there is some secret button in Inkscape I can just click 
I’m trying to use only free software, so my options are limited.
So I guess option to click around the image is one of the ways to translate this into vectors - i just don’t yet know how to do it in inkscape.
Do you have it as a jpg, png etc? Inkscape can trace it and it usually is pretty good at it.
OK, I will have to watch some tutorials, because Inkscape is a bit… non-intuitive for me.
What is this option/feature called?
Edit: Ah, there is trace bitmap - is that the thing you’re thinking of?
Correct, you can do that, delete the png and then save as a DXF. Those are usually pretty clean already.
To use it you must have the picture selected, that‘s what I often forget… 
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I use Freecad, witch is …eh … Free.
Freecad has a long history and is maintained and developed by very serious people. The Forum is a good source in case of questions.
The current version is 1.0 (stable !) I started learning a few years ago. The learning curve is steep but there are many excellent tutorials on Youtube. Freecad has a build in CAM module. You can import lots of different file formats. Exports can be in many other formats for 3d printer, CNC etc
Current is very very good for free software !
It is a 3D parametric modeler, and can be compared with expensive commercial software.
I use FreeCAD as well and I like it very much. Saying that I had no luck with vector files - that’s why I installed Inkscape, but I’m new to that software.
I use FreeCAD to design parts and I successfully printed them, and even used CAM workbench to cut them. But importing stl or svg files into FreeCAD is not something I had success with…
I played a bit with Inkscape’s trace bitmap thing @Tokoloshe suggested and it’s awesome. For simple things like this carpet beater it works with no manual intervention after at all! I will probably play with more complicated files at later date to check 
In version 1 importing svg and dxf is even more easy to do than before.
I just imported the dxf in freecad (used old python methode) extruded the beater as a part and voila.
To be honest, I didn’t try importing vectors in 1.0 version, so i might give it a try again.
It is even more simple.
Make a photo of what you want, include a ruler.
Import the picture in Freecad. Use the dimensions of the ruler to scale.
Than you can use the photo as a bankground for your sketch.
You can than draw the part in your sketch.
In version 1 it is a little bit different.
