How does one go about the best way of using a vinyl sticker to upload as an image for a laser project? I want to laser a cut out of this.
I’d probably scan it or take a head on picture of it, either after putting it on a piece of paper or maybe even as is, then use the Bitmap Trace function in Inkscape to convert it to a vector, save as SVG, import to AI, save as AI, then import to RDWorks.
You could change it directly to a vector in AI but 1) I’ve not been very impressed with AIs ability to trace images, but that could be user error and 2) even after achieving a satisfactory result, sometimes importing it into RDWorks just doesn’t work with vectors generated in AI. Never had that problem going the Inkscape --> AI route, PITA that it is.
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Can you acquire the original data / file used to make the sticker?
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Thanks, I’ll give that a try.
My friend bought the sticker off Etsy and it didn’t include the svg.
What size is the sticker?
If you have one, please include a Standard Banana in the picture…
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That is good advice @agvet .
@bethaboo1225 You will need a picture. There is not enough contrast in the photo. I even cleaned up the image, but got a lot of noise in the trace.
Other options:
- Hand trace in Inkscape.
- Find the font/similar font. The fontsquirel font identifier did not work (it needs a cleaner image). But try these in the cursive category.
https://www.dafont.com/adinekirnberg-script.font?fpp=100
https://www.dafont.com/chalisa-oktavia.font
https://www.dafont.com/odelette.font
https://www.dafont.com/the-heart-of-everything.font?fpp=100
https://www.dafont.com/brotherhood-script.font?fpp=100
so many fonts…
Afterwards, do not forget to convert your text into a vector image (Path>Object to Path). Then switch to the Edit Node tool (F2) and select each letter (shift+left mouse click). Then use the Union tool (Path > Union). This last step fixes where the letters overlap.
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John’s guidance is the best approach.
This is an embroidery font called Emma which appears to be a proprietary font sold by one of the embroidery machine manufacturers.
The closest similar font appears https://www.dafont.com/monogram-kk.font
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If the sticker can be sacrificed for your project, removing the backing sheet and sticking it to black paper will give you much better contrast for a scan or picture.
Or stick it onto some clear plastic so that you can get better contrast while possibly still using the sticker for something; I cannot think of anything clear that you can easily remove from the sticker.
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Yeah I just wasn’t sure if there was a scanner at the Space that could be used for this project. I thought I had heard that CA was going to get a Pixscan mat but didn’t know if that had happened or if it could be used for the upload.
They do have a Pixscan mat. I don’t know if it can be used for the upload though. The mat is by the large steel cabinet between the cabinet and the computer. Second or third drawer down I believe.
So it turns out this was indeed the same font. I used it in Adobe Illustrator to create a new AI file. Matched up the sizes of the letters. Converted the font to outlines, then merged them into a single path.
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@NetSurfer69 I am impressed you matched it. I looked thru so many, lol. Nice work. Cheers to @Webdevel for the next step.
@bethaboo1225 there is a scanner on the new Dye Sub cart. but a scan will only bring you a bitmap image. Still need to convert to vector for cutting.