How to convert image files to vector format
The software i found to do this is called kvec and can be downloaded here. At the time of writing a software could be used for 30 days as shareware and then $25 dollars to register
Once you've downloaded the file extract the contents into a folder. Then copy the files you want to convert into the same folder. Then issue the command: "kvec input.xxx output.xxx". For example to convert a gif file named blocks.gif to a hpgl plot file which have a .plt extention you'd type "kvec blocks.gif blocks.plt".
Here's an example of a test file i created to try out the software.
 | The input file (blocks.gif) |
 | What the blocks.plt file looked like when i opened it in my cnc milling software. The white lines represent where the router would route out. So anything that is black in the image file is routed around. |
I'm sure there are a lot of ways to do this. I wanted to convert an stencil that for dad and this is the quickest way i found. If you know of any other software especially freeware that is available please let me know and i'll update this guide
Image Resolution Considerations
Make sure you save the image at a resolution that the hpgl device supports.
For example, my equipment is a Bungard CNC milling machine. It's control software allows a Route Coordinate of .1 mil, 1.0 mil, 0.025mm, and 0.010mm.
1 mil = .001 inches
Resolution measured in DPI which is Dots Per Inch == Pixels Per Inch
So, in order to get my CNC machine to route something of the same size if i choose 1 mil as my route coordinate then my my resolution needs to be:
For a resolution of 100 dpi:
(100 pixels/inch) * ( 1 inch / 1000 mils ) = 1 pixel / 10 mils = 0.1 mils <-- is my route coordinate
The following table shows a listing of DPI to their respective routing coordinates.
DPI Route Coordinate
100 -> 0.1 mil
1000 -> 1 mil
1013.43 -> 0.025mm
2533.56 -> 0.01mm
Using my particular software i need to export at 337dpi
