CONVERTING SCANNED IMAGES TO VECTOR FORMAT

Return to software page Scanning & cutting shapes Importing from another program Scaling for kerf compensation Changing the cut sequence Setting the direction of cut Duplicating and nesting shapes

Step 1 -   Draw the shape to be scanned, using a thick black pen.   In Corel's OCR-Trace program, select FILE/ACQUIRE/ACQUIRE to scan the image into OCR Trace.

Step 2 -   The OCR-Trace screen is divided into two halves, with the original scanned shape in the left panel.   Select IMAGE/CONVERT TO/ BLACK & WHITE.  Minimize any breaks in the outline by adjusting the "Threshold" value that will appear on the conversion screen.

Step 3 -   Select OCR-TRACE/PERFORM TRACE/BY CENTERLINE.   A traced copy of the original image will now appear in the right hand panel.   Select FILE/SAVE/VECTOR to save the shape as a dxf file.  Torchmate software can now import the file, generate the G-code,  and cut the shape.

This easy 3 step process can be accomplished in just a few seconds.  The beauty of it is that an actual vector file is produced, which can be imported into CorelDraw or almost any drawing or CAD program for further processing, if desired.  This means you can easily combine scanned images with lettering or with other scanned images, and much more.   If you prefer, simply export the file from OCR-Trace in dxf format, and import it directly into the Torchmate software for cutting.  A special feature of Torchmate's software is that it let's you specify how big a break in an outline has to be before it is considered a break that will turn the torch off.  It will automatically close any breaks below that threshold.