Part 15 – Basic Bitmap Tracing and Node Editing
This article accompanies the fifteenth video in a series on my YouTube channel. If you’re not subscribed to my channel, here’s a link. Come on by and check it out. Hopefully you’ll find something you like.
In this 15th video of the series, I’ll get a bit deeper into Bitmap Tracing within the Vectric software. We’ll import a rather simple color image into VCarve, and I’ll show you how to adjust the number of colors we want to trace in the bitmap. Then we’ll go in and do a little bit of image cleanup using the Node Editing mode. I’ll create a huge mess of everything by offsetting the design in an attempt to create a border for the image. After all of that, we’ll calculate a v-carve toolpath, a beveled profile, a cutout profile, and preview the project.
FOR THE ABSOLUTE CNC BEGINNER
Don’t stress over any of this. It’s supposed to be fun, remember? You CAN learn this. You CAN do this. It’s not always super easy, but it’s never really super difficult, either. Just like anything else you want to do, there is no replacement for experience – and the only way to get that experience is to practice. Get into your CAD/CAM software, and learn it. Draw in it. Calculate toolpaths. Generate g-code. You don’t’ have to cut anything with it – it’s more important that you learn how to use the software than it is to start making chips.
That’s enough out of me. Below is a link to the 15th video in the series that’s geared toward the absolute Vectric software beginner.
I use VCarve Pro version 9.512 in this video, but all of the information in the video applies to VCarve, and Aspire software – both the Desktop and the Pro versions.
As usual, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to comment! If you don’t wish to make a public comment, click this Contact Us link, and submit it to me privately. I read ALL of the messages I get through my website, and I answer as many as humanly possible – unless you’re a spambot. Spambots get blocked – so there.
Remember, beginners – relax, take your time, and enjoy the process. It’s supposed to be fun, remember? You can do this. I’m living proof.
SUMMING UP
This is not an endorsement, paid or otherwise, of VCarve Pro, Vectric Ltd, or any other software or company. It’s just a demonstration of how I work. For more information on, or to download a free trial of VCarve Pro, visit the Vectric website at:
Remember to click that link up at the top of the page to check out my T-Shirt shop!
Until next time, take care and have fun!