I installed Inkscape, which apparently has some of the artistic features in the software that was promoted via spam. Inkscape is a vector graphics program, sort of the open source version of CorelDraw. I haven't used Inkscape yet, because I'm not an animator or artist, but I installed it in the hope that I could import raster art (GIF, JPG, etc.) and output G code that I could eventually use to control the 80 watt laser that I'm *still* trying to make time to build. LinuxCNC will control the laser, of course, but it's not good at raster engraving. It'll sort of do it, but it's my impression that it's a bit of a double clutch and fuss at it operation. I was hoping I could just tell Inkscape to generate G code, and tell it to start on the perimeter of each graphic element and spiral inward with a certain stepover (the laser beam width). That would also be potentially useful for machining logos using a CNC milling machine. There's a G-code extension so Inkscape can output vector graphics as G-code.
http://youtu.be/4jYKMAjzK3A (two minute demo video) The G code extension of Inkscape (gcodetools-dev) works a lot like very specific CAM software, and it looks like it'll at least do the outline of a font. I'm not so sure about the outlines of arbitrary graphics (probably) and less sure about spiraling inward to fill in a solid engraving (maybe). If nothing else, I can probably do a zoomed in manual tracing to laboriously generate the tool path I need. No more often than I need to laser engrave artwork, that would be an acceptable solution for me. Inkscape with the G code exporter could also allow arbitrary surfaces to be machined, so it has potentially broader applications for LinuxCNC. This could be helpful to CNC machine sculpt 3D metal artwork (more Yodas and nekid chick torsos ala 3D printing), carve foam or wax for lost-foam or lost-wax castings, carve large foam blocks on a CNC router to be covered with plaster for theatrical sets and props, etc. On 07/30/2014 03:52 PM, John Alexander Stewart wrote: > Andy - do you want a CAD program, or something to create beautiful > characters to put into your next 3D game, or test your Renderman shader > programming skills, or... > > How about BRL-CAD, OpenSCAD, SolveSpace, or even the old 2D QCad? > > Just my 0.02c, from attending too many SIGGRAPH conferences... > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Infragistics Professional > Build stunning WinForms apps today! > Reboot your WinForms applications with our WinForms controls. > Build a bridge from your legacy apps to the future. > http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=153845071&iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Infragistics Professional Build stunning WinForms apps today! Reboot your WinForms applications with our WinForms controls. Build a bridge from your legacy apps to the future. http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=153845071&iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
