converting to vector files

[jim shula]

I have a potential customer who wants his logo re-created on a carved sign. The graphic artist who created the logo can only send it to me in .eps and .ai file types, and when I try to import these into my Aspire 2.5 program, I get the dreaded "failed to import vector date...file probably only contains bitmap data" message.

I tried to trace the bitmap data with the trace function in Aspire, but it would take hours to node edit it to match the logo. Is there a solution to getting usable vector files from customers who can't send .dxf file types?

[donek]

I have a potential customer who wants his logo re-created on a carved sign. The graphic artist who created the logo can only send it to me in .eps and .ai file types, and when I try to import these into my Aspire 2.5 program, I get the dreaded "failed to import vector date...file probably only contains bitmap data" message.

I tried to trace the bitmap data with the trace function in Aspire, but it would take hours to node edit it to match the logo. Is there a solution to getting usable vector files from customers who can't send .dxf file types?

download a trial of illustrator or get someone with the software to look and see if it can be easily converted.

[adrianm]

It may be that it is in vector format but uses shading/filling. The VCarve import doesn't like either of those and comes up with the bitmap message.

I use Xara Designer Pro to remove the shading/filling and then re-save in EPS format.

[joe]

Easy Peasy:

Have the artist send you the file as a PDF.

Joe Crumley

[srwtlc]

PDF's can come out containing only bitmap data also. Have the artist add a hairline outline to the graphics and remove the fills/shading. Then export as an .eps.

[joe]

Scott,

Since the artists already has the Ai & Eps format that would mean there's nothing needed for the PDF. I imagine the artwork was created on a Mac.

Any way, I always open PDF's in ArtCam and they pop right open and come apart ready to assign the tool path.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[jim shula]

The customer sent me a .pdf. Just like the .ai and .eps files they sent, it will not open in Aspire because the file contains only bitmap data. I can import the files as bitmap files and trace them, and the logo graphic comes out okay, but the text was hand-lettered by someone and due to the bitmapping, I lose all the sharp corners. I guess my only option is to use node editing to sharpen the text. I was hoping there was an easier way.

[Brady Watson]

Jim,
Check your PM.

-B

[Brian Harnett]

I have Illustrator 11 it will export dxf I don't know why the artist is having issues but I have dealt with a few that do not realize what we need.

If you want to send me the file I can convert to dxf for you.

Brian at harnettdesigns.com

[khaos]

Jumping in here. Assuming Brady has really solved the issue already.

Have the artist save as an older version ai or eps. The older versions are more compatible.

l8r

[GeneMpls]

May or may not be helpful here but there are services who trace bitmaps
for a very reasonable cost. My favorite is the Vector Doctor:

http://vectordoctor.com/

That said- there are bitmaps so poor that no one can work from them. Gene

[Brady Watson]

Jumping in here. Assuming Brady has really solved the issue already.



No. One of the files is corrupt & the other only contains bitmap data. So...either get the customer to give you a true vector file, trace out the bmp in Vectric or send it out to be traced out. It isn't a complex file, but it will take a little time to trace out properly.

In case it has not been mentioned, this sort of thing happens all the time when you deal with customers. Make sure you charge them for your time to digitize their artwork. Time is money.

-B

[jim shula]

Many thanks to Brady and Eugene for looking at these files, and Brian who offered to look at them. I ended up tracing the bitmap and node editing the vectors to get pretty close to the real thing. It's not a complicated file, but I learned a lot about how to deal with these issues going forward.

This is not the first time it has happened, and I'm still using Aspire 2.5. I should ask vectric if the latest version has more capabilities in opening or tracing these files.