Converting paper plans to dxf

Post by **kevinl** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:37 pm

A friend of mine just come in with some paper plans he bought for a kyack (sp?) wanting to know if I could cut them with the router. Anyone know of a better way to convert them other than getting out the ol drafting equipment ? He is going to donate the finished product to a raffle at church but said I could make one for myself if I could convert the plans and cut one for him. Any ideas?

Post by **dighsx** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:01 pm

If you can scan them into the computer you should be able to use something like Inkscape to convert it to vectors and then use those to make the parts.

Post by **kevinl** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:10 pm

Yea thought about that. I only have a small desktop scanner. Is there such a monster that will scan a 36inch by 16 foot piece of paper?

Post by **joecnc2006** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:15 pm

Kinco's or other printing shops have large format scanners.

Post by **James E** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:19 am

HI Kevinl
I used a digital camera for a similar job, although it was only 5 ft long.
I guess for a longer job I would make sure there were some horizontal lines in the pic and then stitch them together in a photo editor. Try to take the pics dead square, and check measure some parts.
On the other hand, if you are making one, I would guess its easier to work straight from the plans, two is marginal, but you would have the files for when your mates say 'I want one I want one', and at that point you're into profit - time wise. (Kayak)

Jim