Creating squiggles?

[myxpykalix]

I need to make some "uniform" squiggles. Just a set of wavy lines. My hands aren't steady enough to try to do it frrehand with a mouse and i wondered if anyone had suggestions on how i can create something like that uniformly? It can be a paint program or a vector creation program and maybe the lines don't have to be that curvy but need to be uniform in the curve and relationship to each other. Any suggestions on how i can achieve this? thanks

[myxpykalix]

forgot pic


7382

[gpari]

Any cad program. If you post up some more details, I'm sure someone will beat me to sending a file


Gabe

[bleeth]

Connect Arcs in Part Wizard or Artcam. Then block copy with your desired offset.

[bill.young]

Here's how you could do it with ShopBot commands...

***********************************************

MZ,1
J2,5,0
MZ,-.25

CC,4,T,-1,135 ,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

MZ,1
J2,10,0
MZ,-.25

CC,4,T,-1,135 ,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

MZ,1
J2,15,0
MZ,-.25

CC,4,T,-1,135 ,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

CC,4,T,-1,135,45
CC,4,T,1,225,315

*******************************************

Note that the same two "CC" commands are repeated to make the wiggle, and that by modifying the Diameter, Beginning angle, and Ending angle values you can make different sized and shaped wiggles (using variables for all the parameters would make it very easy to modify the shape and spacing).


Just another option,
Bill

[davidallen]

Jack,

Inkscape will allow you to draw lines with pre-programmed jitter and wiggle and save them as vector (DXF among others). You can cut and paste to make copies and scale to size.

check out:

http://www.inkscape.org/

look at the calligraphy tool.

[ed_lang]

In Corel I can draw a line, convert to curves, select node tool and pull any nodes or add them to make the curve as I like it. Then I could even smooth the curve if I wanted. Then I would step and repeat the curve with the distance I wanted between the lines.

Since I have been playing withe the power built in the ShopBot control software, I like Bill Youngs idea above best of all! I find it incredible how much you can do without drawing anything with the ShopBot.

Be sure to let us know how you did it.

[myxpykalix]

Bill, I haven't learned the coding commands so to me I don't understand it, but basically when you turn that into a sbp it does just what you wanted it to do. thanks

David, I have inkscape but didn't ralize i could do that within the pgm. Using the calligraphy tool I seem to have the same problem as trying to draw freehand in a paint pgm where i can't make it uniformly curved. I don't see where within inkscape i can draw lines with pre-programmed jitter and wiggle, please explain.
THANKS!
Ed, What are you doing up so late? I thought bedtime was 8pm?

[joe]

One easy and fast method to create desins and squigels is with the basic shape tool found in most graphic software. Thats the option tab for the square, circle, star, etc.

The attached file was made with the oval and circle shapes. Folks interested in chip carving with the v bit can create some great patterns.

I'll be happy to post a few if anyone is interested.

7383

[ed_lang]

one done in corel draw X3

7384

[ed_lang]

this one is in corel draw but I drew a straight line and added nodes and pulled them.


7385

[jhicks]

Joe, can't resist your offer for photos of "chip carving" with V bits so post when you can.
Thanks

[davidallen]

Jack,

If by "uniform squiggles" you mean periodic, then the above techniques will work better than Inkscape.

If you want random variance, use tremor and wiggle values for the calligraphy tool.

da

[myxpykalix]

I guess what i meant was more like joes example, or eds first example but not his second example where the basic pattern could continue infinitely if you wanted it to. I have an idea for a design i want to create and couldn't do a uniform design but with the help and examples i've gotten i think i have what i need to do what i want to do. Thanks to all...