Vectorart Mega Collection

[dubliner]

Is the only way to browse & select drawings by selecting it in the book then going to its place on the cd. I cant seem to find a way to browse them on the computer & then select what I want? TIA

[jamesb]

Hi Neville, as far as I know that is the only way to do it unless you can find a utility that would let you thumbnail an eps or ai file.

[dubliner]

Hey there J.A., thats what I was trying so I guess not. Oh Well! Hope to see you down in Austin for the Maker Faire, all the best - Neville

[jamesb]

I'll definitely be down for the Maker Faire/Jamboree - it's your round if I remember right

[dubliner]

Nay Bother Jimmy :-)

[cnc_works]

Adobe Bridge that has come with Photoshop or Illustrator in the last few versions will thumbnail and catalog eps and ai files nicely. So will Corel Paint Shop Pro, though not as efficiently, at least in the last two versions.

The other thing I have done is make PDF's of the eps files grouped by category with Photoshop so they could be viewed with any computer that has a PDF reader.

Donn

[myxpykalix]

Try thumbsplus to view eps files.

[bernott]

We purchased one of those graphic packages, like 6000 vector/clipart from staples and it has an vector viewer.

[cnc_works]

The major difference between regular commercial clip art packages and the mega collections is that the mega collection are virtually ready to cut. A great percentage of the clipart in the other packages can require a lot of vector line cleanup before you can use them on your machine.

There are two good things about the retail packages. One, they do have an incredible amount of artwork available, and two, they will give you great practice in manipulating vectors, a handy skill.

Donn

[bernott]

Donn, we only use it for printing when someone wants MS looking stuff. But most of the commercial vector/clipart packages contain an eps/ai reader that allows you to view any vector type file as a thumbnail so you don't have to find the book everytime.

[cnc_works]

Bernie, does the viewer work on eps & ai? Or are the files it sees wmf files? If it works on eps & ai I'd sure like to find it or a commercial equivalent. Even thumbsplus only sees the low res thumbnails from eps & ai, though that is a lot better than nothing.

Donn

[bernott]

it works like thumbsplus. we use it for all our commercially vector packages like mega, pro outlines. saves time unless your brainstorming.

Let me look around..

[srwtlc]

Another good one is ACDSee. http://store.acdsee.com/store/acd/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.78701300

Older versions http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=acdsee

[john_l]

Scott, that oldversion website is awesome. I found 2 unavailable programs, I lost years ago.

[myxpykalix]

If the eps files you want to view are raster based (not vector) than you can go to your local barnes and noble and buy one of those dover cd's books or go to:
http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-art-dover-electronic-clip-art-series--cd-rom-.html and if you buy a cd you get a viewer with the cd that you can use for other things.

[don]

I use Servant Salamadner File Manager, In thumbnail mode it will allow you to view
eps, dxf, jpg, gif formats,
and can be found here.
http://www.altap.cz/salam_en/index.html

[cowboy1296]

I am still a rookie but have sucessfully found the on/off switch so I am progressing. Actually everything is starting to make sense. I am thinking of buying the Mega Collection. Is there any tricks to importing the files into partworks 2.5. Once there can they be resized to fit what you are doing.

[rcnewcomb]

You can find a good price on the VectorArt collections at: http://www.signwarehouse.com/CAV-p-CA-VCTR-MEGA1.html

or on e-bay: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=Vector+Art+mega+collection&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[barbdaniels22]

I have a copy of both Vectorart books 1 & 2 I don't need anymore, I'd sell them for half the lowest price you can find, just email me at barbdaniels22@gmail.com

[cowboy1296]

i know how to resize a vetor, but here is my question. i am putting a rectangle rope border around a sign. when the rope is stetched to fit the board the side rope is much bigger then the top and bottom. how do i edit so that they are equal in size?

[myxpykalix]

I believe that when you want to resize things to keep the aspect the same then hold down the SHIFT key while moving the mouse.

[cowboy1296]

that part i knew but it does not fill in my board, but thanks for the response.

[adrianm]

Sounds like you're trying to resize without maintaning the aspect ratio. If you want to do that then you're going to have one side bigger than the other.

The only way I know around it is to node edit and cut/move the vectors and rejoin.

[cowboy1296]

I know how to increase or decrease the maximum depth of a file. If i understand the files correctely they range from a minimum cut depth to a max cut. is there someway to increase the minimum depth with out increasing the max depth. hopfully this made sense.

the reason is i have to plane after the sign is cut because of the wood that i use, the danger is planing away the minimum areas of the sign.

[tmerrill]

Rick,

If I am understanding your question correctly you can specify a start depth when you calculate the toolpath. The start depth would correspond to how much surface material you expect to remove later.

Tim