File :-(, x, )
Let's try again, shall we? Anonymous
old thread got deleted, so i'll ask again.
How do I Convert this PNG file to a DRW,GFF or HPGL? Thanks in advance.
>> Anonymous
Rood inverse ftw! Oh that sexy Sydney, such a rascal.
>> Anonymous
Googling those file formats seems to imply that CorelDraw will support them. So download the trial version of that and see what happens? Or maybe someone here has CorelDraw and can help out. You can also see if Photoshop doesn't have a plugin for those formats.
>> Anonymous
>>72934

Hmm... I have Corel 10 and I cannot save in those formats, it seems. I can upload a CDR file for this image, maybe someone else will be able to do the file type conversion.
>> Anonymous
thanks everyone... you are all so kind! I still haven't fine a clue on where to start...
>> Anonymous
I uploaded the CDR to yousendit. Hope someone can help you.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=5EF2F4A553DC43EC
>> Anonymous
and what can i do with thid cdr file? sorry... i just don't know what to do!
>> Anonymous
>>73017

Try to find out if someone can make it into the file format you need? That means either inside or outside the internet, of course. Google the file extensions you need and find out what programs are compatible with them. Then try to get the program or find someone who does have it and can convert the file for you.

That's all I can think off. I'm really quite surprised that no one here has been able to help you.
>> Anonymous
ok... i will try. But... if anyone discovers a way
to make it, please post it! I eagerly awaits answers! Thanks everyone!
>> Anonymous
FIREWORKS FTW
>> Anonymous
>>73033
i get the feeling you aren't going to try at all.
>> Anonymous
>>73057
sure
you should work for me
do it, please, fast
>> Anonymous
i don't want to bitch, or whine... it's just that i don't have a clue. i found out i can convert PNG to DRW With LeadTools... problem is: is it still a vectorized image? anyone knows how to make HPGL and GFF files? Sorry to bother you guys... anyway, Thanks for everything you did till now.
>> Anonymous
I _might_ be able to help.

But first, I have to know: WHY do you need this converted to one of those obscure (if not totally irrelevant) formats? What's wrong with a simple SVG?
>> Anonymous
>>73259

The PNG you posted is not in vector format. Simply trying to save it in a vector format does not convert raster to vector. Your idea of saving in another format is flawed.
>> Anonymous
>>73288
There is a vector version of the image, see>>72996. The guy seems to need someone to convert THAT file into one of the weird formats he was mentioning.
>> Anonymous
>>73273
Thanks for looking up my request. i need those filetypes, because the guy who's going to engrave my zippo with the image have an old software that supports HPGL,DRW and GFF filetypes only. i'll be very happy if you could help me out! Many thanks.
>> Anonymous
>>73370
y'know thats a very good and entirely plausable reason...lemmeesee
>> Anonymous
>>73273

Had any luck? i'm trying to milk some info out of google, and downloaded lots of "converters" and no one supported CDR files... i really hope you can help me.
>> Anonymous
>>73370

Well that explains the funky file formats. It seems standard that people in that business NEVER update their systems.

I was originally going to simply convert the bitmap here to an HPGL using Ghostscript, but now I can see that would be totally unsuited to your purpose.

There's no way you're going to be able to engrave this bitmap as it is. The color gradients just won't work. You need to first get a black and white image of the image as you want it engraved. Then you need to get someone to trace it into vectors and save it into a vector format like SVG or a vector capable format like PDF of good old postscript (you can probably do this step yourself - try inkscape if you're short on cash and looooong on patience).

From there, your best bet is to convert the file to an HPGL format file; the other formats are just too obscure. You can use HiJaak or Ghostscript. You can also install the drivers for one of the old HP plotters on your computer and capture the HPGL output to a file. From there, your engraving friend will proably still have to tweak the HPGL output to suit his plotter, but that's a problem for him and his software.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Inverse for the win!
-MournBladeBearer
>> Anonymous
>>73474
well... isn't the CDR a vector file? can't i do anything with that file? thanks for the info!
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>73474

Half of this is already done. I made the CDR file, which includes a version of the rood with and without the gradient.

Since CDR seems not to be a universal format by any means, shall I save it in some other format supported by Corel 10? Which format is best? I can save it as a: AI, WPG, WMF, EMF, CGM, SVG, PCT, DXF, DWG and a bunch of Corel formats.

From the description corel gives me, SVG sounds the most standard-ish. But I don't really know about this, so... Suggestions?
>> Anonymous
>>73482

CDR is Corel Draw's native file format. Its main purpose is to save works in progress under Corel Draw. It was never really intended as an image publishing format, but has become a sort of defacto standard as such.

And images in CDR files are not necessarily stored as vectors. The CDR format can store both vector and bitmap image data (though given the intended purpose of CorlelDraw, vector images are by far the most common). However, given the file size of the image in>>72996and its probable image contents (it appears to be broken on my end so I can't view it to be sure), I strongly suspect it contains vector image data.

Can you save it as a more universally understood vector file format and re-upload it? Something like PS, EPS, PDF, WMF (yucky but universal), AI, SVG, or even DXF?
>> Anonymous
>>73491

> SVG sounds the most standard-ish

SVG is an Open Format (based on XML in fact), so it's the most likely to be read and understood by the largest number of programs (especially Open Sauce and Free Software programs).

Just out of curiosity, have you tried the plotter driver trick?
>> Anonymous
>>73495
Plotter driver trick? I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm just a dabbler.

Ok, I just saved the black and white version of the rood as in several formats, and when given the choice between saving as test or curves, I chose curves. I uploaded a zip file with that to yousendit.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=4D1AEFFF19EB8C2B
>> Anonymous
>>73496
Thank you, i'm so moved to see this many people helping! let's see if i'm able to do something on my own this time around...(even tough i doubt it). Thanks again!
>> Anonymous
>>73496
> Plotter driver trick? I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm just a dabbler.

Sorry, I got you confused with the OP.

The plotter driver trick is a way to generate HPGL files without spending any money on third party conversion software. Basically, you install the drivers for any old plotter that reads HPGL (NOT HPGL-2). Not surprisingly, most of these are made by HP, and their drivers come free with Windows (sorry, I don't know about the Mac - if manage to live windows free, good for you, but go ahead and steal it for this trick). Instead of actually buying the plotter, just tell the computer the port it's connected to is FILE:. Then, when you print your image to this printer, it will ask you for a file name. The file it creates will be HPGL.

On a side note, some of the old desktop plotters made by HP were really fucking cool. It's too bad they don't even make the pens for them anymore. Everything's inkjet these days.
>> Anonymous
>>73478
that's fake right? right? noone would go that far...
>> Anonymous
anyone have any vagrant story artwork?
>> Anonymous
>>73496

I've downloaded the zip. The image in every file was munged except for the .AI. The .SVG was the second best, but some paths were incorrectly placed behind others leaving large areas of the image as black. The curves in the DXF were all completely messed up, and the .WMF (not surprisingly) was just plain ugly.

Having seen the image, I am a little unsure if the OP knows what he's going to get on his zippo. Engravers like to carve out lines, but this image has a lot of regions that are solid black. The only way to fill in large regions like this on most engravers is to perform many many passes taking off a strip of metal on each pass. The spacing of these paths is highly dependent on the engravers tool width. Some engravers' software will generate these paths automatically to fill in field, but most don't.

It might be easier to etch this image onto the zippo instead of engraving it. You can probably still get the materials for etching at Radio Shack (assuming Radio Shack hasn't further devolved).
>> Thanks! Anonymous
>>73763
thanks for the sheer honesty.
so... i pretty much should just forget this sad sad story? i have zero competence in computer graphic. simply put, if anyone has the time, the balls, the kindness to make an "engravable" version of this drawing, i'll be happy. really happy. if not... well, thanks everyone for your hard work, i really appreciated it!
>> Anonymous
to>>73491, it seems that>>73764has uploaded the png image you wanted.. but im unsure what else you want done..

I'm able to open the ai file in illustrator and have resaved as an un-munged svg. (well at least the svg opens properly in illustrator.. unlike the one from the zip file)

I have a variety of other formats i could save it in from illustrator cs2, but this depends on what you would want.. maybe the engraver has a machine which can take a given computer image format?
>> Anonymous
>>73769
This is getting confusing.
I need a vectorized image of the pic in GFF HPGL or DRW file extension. as>>73763stated it would be better without fillings. hope it helps.
>> Anonymous
>>73764

> make an "engravable" version of this drawing

The problem is that the "engravable" version of this drawing depends HEAVILY on the capabilities of the engraver to be used. Without a familiarity with the actual machine, even the all-powerfull anonymous can do little more than scratch his head.

However, there is hope. If you're willing to potentially sacrifice a test zippo or two, you can try using the acid etch technique used by electronics hobbyists to make custom circuit boards.

I had written out detailed instructions here, but I got a "field too long error". Luckily, the mighty interweb has many pages giving instructions for many etching techniques. Just google for "circuit board etching". The most labor intensive process that is likely to give you the best results is described here:

http://hackedgadgets.com/2006/06/24/photo-etch-circuit-board-process/
>> Anonymous
>>73775

Neat!.. this is really interesting. (note I am not the originator of this thread)
>> Anonymous
>>73775
Thanks for the suggestion, it is really interesting... but i don't think anyone in my small town can do this. for engravable, i mean without solid black areas, just the outline. I know i'm asking much. Do what you can anonymous! Thanks!
>> Anonymous
>>73911
> i don't think anyone in my small town can do this.

It's actually really easy, even for someone from a small town. If there isn't a radio shack near you (or if radio shack doesn't carry this stuff any more) order it from digikey.

If you're willing to sacrifice a few zippos with an easy but lower quality (for making computer boards - etching zippos should be fine) technique, all you really need is a laser printer, some glossy photo paper (staples store brand works best), an iron (for getting wrinkles out of clothes), and the acid etchant (which is the only thing you'd probably have to order).

Just print out the negative mirror inverse of the image onto the photo paper; use the highest quality setting, NOT "economy mode". Then turn put the paper, image side down, onto the zippo and use the iron set to high to transfer the toner onto the zippo case. The glossy photo paper is made for inkjet printers, but it works best for heat transfering toner because the toner can't fuse well into the glossy coating. Cover the bits you want to etch with the acid, wait, neutralize with baking soda, and then wash it all off. Because the toner itself acts as an acid resist (it's mostly carbon and plastic), it will prevent the zippo from being etched anywhere covered by the toner.
>> Anonymous
>>73911
probably i didn't specify one thing... i have two left feet instead of hands. i'm absolutely unable to do stuff like these. i just know i'll make a mess. and that is why i asked someone else to make this. Don't worry, you all made a lot, really. i'll get what you give me, no more no less... i'm already happy for all the suggestions you made! well, i'll wait if someone has the time to spare to try and help me more. Thanks guys!
>> Anonymous
Fuck. I converted the .ai into postscript (good old postscript) witht the intent to then convert it onto HPGL using ps2hpgl, and I discover it's _not_installed_. No problem, I think, it must not have been retained during an OS upgrade. I haven't used it for years since I couldn't get pens for the plotter that now sits in the garage. So I go to the matlab site to download it again, AND IT'S NOT FUCKING THERE. Fuck.