Job setup and drawing features. 

In this article we will be creating a simple map of the Somerset area, Yeti Tools home county, using a digital image of Somerset found online. The first step will be to define the job setup. 

For this project we will be using a standard piece of 12mm plywood, and have set up the job accordingly. For a detailed explanation of job setup in VCarve, please click here. 

Next we need to draw the features of the sign, such as its border and some holes so the map can be hung up on a wall. 

We will be using these parameters for the border of the sign, and four 7mm circles for the holes in each corner, as shown below. Click here for a more detailed explanation of drawing features in VCarve. 

Which then gives us the following features for us to import the bitmap and trace vectors onto:

Importing bitmaps into VCarve. 

The first step is to find a suitable image that we want to use in our design. In this case I found the following raster image on Google images, it is best to use monochrome images when using the import bitmap feature, as when traced they provide the clearest vectors.

Once the image has been saved it can be imported into VCarve using the ‘Import Bitmap’ feature. 

This will open up file explorer, and opening the selected file will import the image into the centre of the design.

Tracing bitmaps and vector images.

We are currently working with a bitmap or ‘raster’ image, which needs to be converted to vectors for Vectric to be able to form a toolpath for them. 

VCarve has its own ‘Trace Bitmap’ feature, which is the fastest way to create vectors from an image.

Selecting the image and then clicking on the image will open up the trace bitmap tab. 

You can check how the traced vectors will look using the preview feature, and pressing apply will create the vectors on the design. 

Initially the vector may not be clearly visible, so to make it easier to work with you can remove the bitmap layer. This is done by opening the layer tab in and making the bitmap layer invisible. 

Now we can now work with the traced vectors from the bitmap image and resize it to fill the border. Holding shift whilst dragging the corners out will keep the vector centred whilst increasing the size.  

Next we will add some text in the top left corner to fill the sign using the draw text function. For further information on drawing text, click here. 

Which gives us our final drawing: