Inkscape

Trying to convert a bitmap of a logo (filled) to DXF

Asked by Donald Le Roy

I have a filled logo in bitmap form that I need to convert yo DXF. I have tried unsuccessfully to do so following your video tutorial (4 files copied to C:\Program Files (x86)\Inkscape\share\extensions - OS is WIN7 PRO 64bt)). I am unable to get a successful outline or filled version. After trace and saving as DXF get the following:

Inkscape has received additional data from the script executed. The script did not return an error, but this may indicate the results will not be as expected.

Detail window:
Traceback (most recent call last):

  File "mydxf_outlines.py", line 110, in <module>

    e.affect()

  File "C:\Program Files (x86)\Inkscape\share\extensions\inkex.py", line 215, in affect

    self.effect()

  File "mydxf_outlines.py", line 81, in effect

    h = inkex.unittouu(self.document.getroot().xpath('@height',inkex.NSS)[0])

  File "lxml.etree.pyx", line 1308, in lxml.etree._Element.xpath (src/lxml/lxml.etree.c:36829)

TypeError: xpath() takes exactly 1 positional argument (2 given)

File created is a zero length file for DXFR12.

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Edouard (edouardst) said : 		#1

Hi,

Can you please give the URL of the tutorial ?

By the way, I would have imported the bitmap and used Path > Vectorize bitmap, then remove the bitmap to leave only the vector drawing and then File > Save a copy (choosing DXF here).

Regards

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Donald Le Roy (don-l) said : 		#2

Edouard -

The tutorial is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdWWYZ27U-k

The steps in the tutorial are to open the bitmap, trace bitmap (which should vectorize), separate the bitmap from the trace, delete the bitmap, and then save the vector version as a DXF.

Regards

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Edouard (edouardst) said : 		#3

Hi again,

That's exactly it. But the video is from 2008, and Inkscape has imporved since. You don't need an extension anymore so try removing mydxf or whatever you installed. Then you should execute the stteps exactly as you just described - and as said in the video - except at the end when you save your file. There, you should go to File > Save a copy" and down in the bottom right, choose "Desktop cutting plotter (dxf)".

Hope it helps,
regards

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Donald Le Roy (don-l) said : 		#4

I uninstalled a re-installed Inkscape (didn't keep copies of the 4 overwritten files).

I now get a DXF file but unfortunately my CAD program (PADS PCB) does not import the file. Still get the same error with the straight DXF output which if it worked would probably import. Guess I'll just have to give up on getting the logo to silkscreen on our printed circuit boards unless I get someone with AutpCAD to create a trace for me (those DXF files will import).

Thanks for your help.

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