 MetaPixel
converts black and white images into smooth vector
outlines with optional CNC optimization, DXF and gcode
output options. MetaPixel incorporates SVG (scalable
vector graphics) for its versatility and interactive
online viewing functionality. The SVG format can reflect
CNC optimization to support subsequent DXF and gcode
output for CNC. Other available (desktop publishing)
vector output formats are not specifically designed for
or optimized here for CNC and most CAM software that can
import can also optimize those formats.If you do not
see two images below then you need to install the Adobe SVG viewer browser plugin.
Source graphics should be black and
white where black is the object being cut out and white
is all other blank space. Non black and white colors are
converted to black and white through nonspecific
threshold filtering. GIF format works best. BMP files are
usually too big. JPEG images are usually too noisy.
If you get a message that says 'KILLED', then the
server killed the process for excess resource usage. Try
using non-transparent true black and white GIFs for
maximum efficiency and efficacy.
The SVG result contains red outlines to indicate
counterclockwise tool paths, and blue outlines to
indicate clockwise tool paths.
For solid (one piece) shapes using cut thru machinery,
use solid filled shapes (silohuettes).
For thin line engraving applications try outlined (not
filled) source graphics.
For shape milling (with pocket milling [and drilling])
try MetaEtch.
Two raster to vector methods are provided based on two
different open source raster to vector software
applications. They both do a remarkable good job, but
typically one will do better than the other depending on
the source image size, quality and composition.
AutoTrace is larger and slower than PoTrace,
but it does offer more output formats and the results
tend to be smoother overall because small sharp details
tend to get averaged out more so than with PoTrace
which tends to produce more corners and much less loss of
small scale details due to smoothing. Just try both...
AutoTrace Options
| despeckle |
|
eliminate isolated fragments
smaller than this (in pixels)
noise reduction |
| dpi |
|
only affects upstream CNC eccentric scaling
not applicable toward preliminary
vector conversions |
| simplify |
|
set minimum path component length
feature reduction, higher values
produce fewer path components |
| smooth |
|
smoothing algorithm recursion
higher values produce smoother
curvatures, does not affect corners |
| linearity |
|
sets minimum linearity
higher values produce more line
segments to approximate curves |
| straighten |
|
sets minimum curvature
higher values replace more shallow
curves with line segments |
| |
|
|
PoTrace Options
| dpi |
|
only affects upstream CNC eccentric scaling
not applicable toward preliminary
vector conversions |
| quantize |
|
pixel division
higher values for smaller images
can produce smoother curves |
| smooth |
|
smoothing factor
higher values produce smoother
curves |
| detail |
|
preserve details
further reduces small scale
smoothing |
| |
|
|
See MetaPicture for a more complete general
raster to vector implimentation with no MetaPixel CNC
eccentric features.
MetaPicture via AutoTrace
MetaPicture via PoTrace
|
