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What's
the difference between raster and vector
files? |
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A raster image is roughly
equivalent to a newspaper photograph. If you look closely
you see that it is made up of lots of small dots. The
density of these dots is referred to by resolution, measured
in dots per inch (stated as 'dpi'). Raster files are stored
in many file formats. TIFF is a common example.
Vectors are used to describe specific
objects defining their size, position and geometry. The
image seen on screen in a CAD application is only a visual
representation of the vector file. The vector information in
a CAD file is mathematical. It is not stored as an
image.
So, for example, a vector line is an
absolute line connecting two or more points; a vector curve
is described by source coordinates, a polynomial equation
and end point coordinates.
Vector information is stored in many
different file formats, one of which is DXF. The primary
function of the DXF file is to permit CAD vector information
to be exchanged between different CAD applications.
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Do
scans work in a CAD program? |
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Scanners produce raster
images, not the vectors used in CAD programs. When CAD
software allows import of a raster, it will display it as a
raster (i.e. dot based) image within the CAD document.
The lines in a raster image in a CAD document
cannot be manipulated in the CAD program. The CAD program
will not convert it to vectors unless assisted by a
conversion program like TracTrix.
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How can
I use my desktop scanner to create CAD files? |
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Paper to CAD (raster to
vector) software such as TracTrix take your scans, convert
them to vectors and output them as a DWG, DXF, IGES, HPGL or
other vector file format. In the case of TracTrix this can
be done within AutoCAD itself or outside of AutoCAD.
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What's
the difference between pixels and dots per inch? Is a dot a
pixel? |
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A pixel is a minute
circular point of light about 10 or 12 thousandths of an
inch in diameter (sometimes stated as 10 or 12 'mils')
created on a monitor screen.
A dot is a sample taken by a scanner for
representation in a raster image. A 300 dots per inch (dpi)
scan takes snapshots of dots which are about 3 mils across
(3,33333....mils to be exact). To represent
a 300 dpi scan on screen at a 1:1 scale your computer
typically has to consolidate groups of 16 dots (each 3.33...
mils diameter) into a single pixel (10 - 12 mils
diameter)
This means that the raster image you see
on screen is only an approximation of the underlying digital
'dpi' information from your scan. And your scan itself is an
approximation. Sometimes the screen appearance can be
disconcerting.
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Why
can't I just edit my raster files and not have to bother
taking them to vector? |
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Raster files are excellent
for visual purposes, for Web posting and distribution, for
archiving and for security in release control (see
Trix
RasterServer) -
after all they are a picture of the original image just like
a print. TracTrix does provide raster editing tools so you can edit and clean up
your scans. But raster editing can be tedious if there are
considerable modifications to be done - especially if you
are used to the power of a CAD package.
And all CAD software uses vector objects
instead of rasters. The primary benefits are ability to
precisely describe, create, scale and manipulate individual
objects.
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In
image resolution, what's the difference between 400 dpi true
and 400 dpi interpolated? |
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True resolution is the
number of dots per inch of reflected light captured by the
scanner head. The scanner head is physically limited in the
number of dots which it can capture.
Interpolation software (usually built in
to the scanner, but also available in raster manipulation
programs) can make a good guess at what lies between the
dots recorded by the scanner.
By comparing adjacent dots captured in a true 200 dpi scan
interpolation software might replace each dot with four new
ones (creating a 400 dpi interpolation) or even nine new
ones (creating a 600 dpi interpolation).
For many applications (including the
majority of paper to CAD conversions) interpolation works
well. But interpolation will never be as accurate as a true
resolution.
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Is
there an international standard for
vectorization? |
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No. But conversion of
paper to CAD and indexed raster images may provide you and
your organization with an excellent opportunity to begin
implementing ISO 9000 quality standards.
A good engineering document management
system goes a long way towards meeting the ISO standard. See
Trix
Organizer.
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I've
too many drawings to vectorize in-house. How should I choose
a conversion bureau such as the one run by Trix Systems? |
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There is a pretty clear
relationship between price and quality in bureau conversion.
We recommend starting with a pilot project comprising two
stages. In the first stage establish that the bureau can
deliver to your required quality for a small sample of
drawings, say five or ten.
From this limited experiment set the
parameters for a second stage test with a much larger sample
of your drawings (maybe 5% of your stock). The second stage
determines how your bureau will perform under a real
load.
You and your bureau can establish a solid
relationship during this test and sort out potential
problems. And most important, involve your eventual users in
the test. Have them check that the quality meets their
needs. Some users may need help in defining their needs. You
might want to think about an alternative to vectorizing all
of your drawings. That is to scan all of your drawings and
vectorize later as required. Trix Systems does offer quality-guaranteed
Trix
Systems Conversion Services.
.
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If I
have a small or hand-held scanner, can I scan a big drawing
in pieces and 'stitch' them together
afterwards? |
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If you have access to a
large format scanner use it instead of stitching small
images together. TracTrix can convert very large
drawings (E/A0 and above). Many areas have copy shops or
similar reproduction shops where a large document can be
scanned to disk without editing at very reasonable
prices.
For instance a busy 'E' size drawing
scanned at 300 dpi monochrome (black and white) can be
stored on a 3 1/2" diskette or emailed to you from your
scanning bureau. The raster file on disk can then be
vectorized in TracTrix at your convenience. Do be sure that
your bureaus understands the level of quality and resolution
you require before they scan the drawings. Vector output is
only as good as the raster input. Advice on how to scan for
best results is included in TracTrix manuals.
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What
should I be aware of before I start converting images to
CAD? |
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Vectorizing
packages do not add information to your original drawing. We
tend to think of drawings as being super accurate. This is
not true. An
image on paper is imperfect, inaccurate and
imprecise. This may
seem like a heresy to all who (like us) have slaved over
drawing boards. Think about what we do when we 'read' a
drawing:
Our intellect works wonders piecing
together the disparate pieces of information which our eyes
pick up from a drawing; Our brain automatically sorts text
from line work and combines different sorts of visible
information into a comprehensive whole. With this we can
mill our piece, set our forms, etc. to the designer's
requirement.
Contrast this with CAD. When we work in a
CAD package vector information is created. The dimensions
are the primary information and the CAD package produces a
visible representation on screen (or to a plotter) based on
these dimensions. This output is an approximation from the
absolute dimensions of CAD. We go through the same processes
to begin milling or setting up our formwork. And whether the
information began in CAD or on a drawing board, we adjust it
to the accuracy needs and limitations of the real physical
world.
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What
are my options when considering how to get from paper to
CAD? |
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There are several methods
that will help you take a paper drawing or print into CAD.
You could simply redraw from scratch in a CAD program, you
could create a vector file from the drawing on a digitizing
tablet, you could scan the drawing, open it in a 'Head-up'
digitizing program on your monitor and digitize to vectors
with a mouse much like the digitizing tablet or you can use
an automatic raster-to-vector program like TracTrix.
Tablet and head-up digitizing is subject
to the skill and eye-hand coordination of the operator.
Studies have shown that as digitizing operators tend to
wander off the original lines by as much as 1/32 of an inch
as they progress through a days work. Automatic
raster-to-vector conversion will provide you with editable
vectors in a fraction of the time of other methods.
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So
what's the process involved in translating paper to
CAD? |
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It always requires two
stages. In the first you scan and convert a raster image of
the original drawing to CAD vectors . In the second, you
check that the CAD representation created by vectorizing
meets your need for accuracy and purpose.
You've probably heard the expression
"garbage in, garbage out". This is not more true than
scanning a paper drawing and vectorizing it. Vectorizing
software can only make vectors where there is raster
information for it to track.
Breaks in the lines, poorly connected lines at corners,
blobs in the image at multiple line intersections and
similar imperfections in the raster image all contribute to
imperfect vectors.
TracTrix is used by a major prosthetics
manufacturer to create cutting and drilling templates for
microsurgery. Their originals are very finely detailed.
Generally, the accuracy you'll achieve will depend primarily
on the quality of the original drawing. Accuracy can then be
made absolute in whatever CAD software you are using.
You should always expect to take raster
images automatically to vectors and then edit them to the
precision your application requires.
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What
else should I be aware of when considering paper to CAD
conversion? |
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Manipulating large image
files is best done with plenty of RAM. For example, a 300
dpi scan of a B size (11 X 17) drawing will create an
uncompressed file that is nearly 17 Megabytes. RAM therefore
is an important consideration when converting and
manipulating image files. At least 32 or even better 64 meg
of RAM is recommended for paper to CAD conversion.
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How
about drawings that have been reduced to a smaller
size? |
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When large drawings are
reduced to a smaller size (using the 'reduce' function on a
scanner or copier) lines and details tend to bleed together
into indiscernible blobs of pixels. Parallel lines that are
close together blend into one line. Small holes in the
original drawing close up to a solid black object. TracTrix
cannot 'read' through these solid black objects to figure
out what they are. Therefore we do not recommend reduced
size drawings as a starting point for automatic
raster-to-vector conversion.
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What is
the difference between accuracy and precision in
vectorizing |
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Repeating the point above:
Scanning paper to create a raster image does not improve the
quality in any way. As a matter of fact the scan is a less
perfect than the original. Vectorizing software of any type
can only vectorize that which it can 'see', the pixels in
the raster image. The resultant vectors are no more perfect
than the raster.
Vectorizing is accurate to the extent that
the vectors are an accurate representation of the raster
image. Is this 'accuracy' good enough for your application?
Perhaps. But if it isn't, the vectors can be edited to make
the vector file as precise as you require. Remember, vectors
can be made to be mathematically perfect, rasters
cannot.
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Does
high resolution (dpi) assure vector accuracy? |
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TracTrix follows either
the centerline on lines or the outline of images. It
achieves this by looking for pixels. In centerline tracking,
TracTrix looks for the chosen line width by looking at pixel
quantities across line and seeks the mean center of the
line. Having more pixels from a higher resolution will not
necessarily create a "better" mean centerline.
When following an outline it looks for
pixels on the edge of the image. Higher resolution might
present a 'smoother' less jagged edge for TracTrix to
vectorize but the vectors are not more accurately
created.
Higher resolution makes for bigger files
to manipulate. Bigger files require more pre-processing
storage and processing takes much longer (twice the
resolution means four times as many pixels to store and
process).
As a general rule, there are rapidly
diminishing returns from increasing resolution for raster to
vector conversion. We tend to use 300 dpi or 400 dpi.
Occasionally we need 600 dpi for small, finely detailed,
originals.
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Horizontal
and vertical vector lines on screen do not appear to be
straight, but they were in the original drawing.
Why? |
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What you see on screen is
only a visual display of the actual stored CAD file and does
not represent what the file will create on a plotter or
printer. The vector points, also seen on screen, more
accurately depict the vectors as they will be plotted. What
you are seeing is the result of a slightly askew scan.
When a computer depicts straight lines on
screen they will appear straight, without a jagged
appearance, only when they are absolutely square to the
screen's matrix. That is if they are perfectly parallel to
or at right angles to the horizontal scan of the monitor
If they are slightly off square the
computer tells the screen to depict the straight line as a
Cathode Ray Tube scan series which might be: Fill 100 pixels
horizontally, go down 1 pixel, fill 100 pixels horizontally,
etc.
It is this small one or two pixel step
down which makes straight lines appear to have a jog or
appear jagged on screen. The underlying vector which it is
representing is a single point-to-point line.
Consider the jogs to be an optical
aberration on the monitor screen and not representative of
the actual vector. In TracTrix, one can see the actual
vector points at each end of the line by clicking on the
line.
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How
come some vector files are bigger than raster files of the
same image? |
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The raster image size is
based upon the resolution (dpi) and the physical size of the
image. The vector file size is based upon the number of
vector entities required to represent the raster file. The
relationship between the two varies with the content of the
drawings, the entity types in the vector file, the raster
format used and whether there is compression in the raster
format.
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My
drawings are already in CAD. How do I publish them
electronically around my company? |
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After more than a decade
of building engineering document management systems it is
clear to us that raster file formats are the most secure,
tamper-proof, durable and easiest method for publishing and
archiving CAD designs. For some of the reasons take a look
at our
Trix
RasterServer
page.
In brief: Raster formats such as TIFF,
CALS and C4 are non-proprietary, stable - you won't have to
buy 'upgrades' every couple of years, and viewable and
printable from a wide variety of viewing software.
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How can
I publish engineering drawings on the
Internet? |
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The simplest method is to
rasterize completed CAD designs from DWG or DXF to a raster
format that can be viewed by a Web Browser. These formats
are PNG, JPEG or GIF. These can be published using the
regular IMG tag in HTML.
TracTrix
and
Trix
RasterServer
produce the PNG format for this purpose. The user needs
nothing more than a recent Web Browsing software.
If you have large, complex, files and/or
you want to do more than just view a drawing through a
Browser you should look at adding a viewer plug-in to the
users' Browsers. Plug-ins add functionality to a Browser.
For example, Trix Systems offers a Plug-in version of
Trix
DrawingCenter.
When this is installed a user can view DXF. DWG, HPGL and
many raster file formats. The publisher does not have to
convert these to PNG, JPEG or GIF. In addition to viewing
the plug-in provides annotation, measuring tools, printing
and saving controls. The user can add additional information
to a copy of drawing and save it at the local
workstation.
Other companies also offer plug-in
viewers. There is an AutoCAD specific DWF format which also
requires a plug-in. The PDF format is also for Web
publishing using Acrobat Reader as the plug-in for Browsers.
TracTrix and Trix RasterServer also convert CAD formats
to PDF files.
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Questions
specific to TracTrix Software
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What is
the typical TracTrix Paper to CAD conversion
process? |
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Scan your original into
TracTrix. Select the description which fits your type of
drawing from pre-defined types (e.g. architectural, contour,
illustration, logo, mechanical). Select the portion of the
drawing to convert. TracTrix then automatically processes
the raster lines into vectors. Compare the vectors with the
underlying original raster image and make any
post-processing changes using TracTrix' built-in vector
editing tools. Export the result in the vector format of
your choice.
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Speed/Expectations |
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TracTrix can convert a busy E-sized drawing in about
1 minutes on a reasonably modern computer.
In our years of providing image conversion
for customers we have learned that individual needs are
unique. So we are reluctant to suggest exactly what savings
TracTrix can bring you. But based on the tens of thousands
of drawings that we've converted in our own conversion
bureau, we'd hazard a guess that after building in
post-processing clean-up you could aim for 50% savings in
hours spent on conversion.
That's not to say that all drawings lend
themselves to raster-to-vector conversion. Depending on
quality and intended application, you'll find some drawings
can be almost entirely vectorized using TracTrix, others may
inevitably require manual redrawing.
TracTrix is very forgiving in that the vectors created can
be deleted and re-vectorized, edited and all vector errors
corrected before saving in the CAD file format of your
choice.
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Will
TracTrix give me a DWG file? |
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Yes.
TracTrix software also generates DXF,
IGES and other vector description files which import into
virtually all CAD packages. After you have imported the DXF,
or IGES file into your CAD package you have a CAD document
on your screen. When you open and save this from within
whatever CAD program you have it creates the native CAD file
for your CAD package.
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. |
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Do I
have to use TracTrix to drive my scanner, or will any image
file work? |
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TracTrix can start with a
raster image file from many different sources. Your, or your
vendor's or your bureau's scanner(s) will produce a raster
image file which TracTrix can work with. Digital cameras,
scans from aperture cards and film are all raster files that
TracTrix can convert. TracTrix also includes a TWAIN driver
and large format scanner drivers to directly scan images
into TracTrix.
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What
raster and vector formats does TracTrix work
with? |
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Depending on version of
TracTrix used, TracTrix can import
ATT, BMP, BRK, CALS-Group 4 Type 1,
CALS-Group 4 Type 2, CLP, CUT, DCX, DIB, GEM IMG, GX2, GTX
G3, GTX G4, ICA, ICO, IFF, JEDMICS C4, JPEG, KFX, LV, PCX,
MAC, MSP, PCD-Photo CD, PICT, PCX, PSD-Photoshop, RAS, TGA,
TIFF- Pack Bits, TIFF-Modified Huffman, TIFF-Group III,
TIFF-Group IV, TIFF-JPEG, WMF, WPG, XPM, XBM, XWD.
Depending on version of TracTrix used,
TracTrix exports DWG/DXF (R12, R13, R14, 2000), DRW, EPS
(AI-88), HPGL, IGES (4.0 and 5.1 - 112 or 126 entity), WMF
and TIX formats.
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How do
I convert CAD files to non-CAD files for archiving or
distribution? |
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TracTrix can
individually convert DWG, DXF and HPGL CAD files to
high-resolution raster files. For batch conversion consider
Trix
RasterServer.
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Is
TracTrix a scanner? |
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TracTrix is software. It
does not include hardware. TracTrix can either drive or use
the raster output from practically every scanner available.
If you do not have a scanner you will need to acquire one to
run TracTrix (unless you plan to use a bureau for your
scanning). Plan to purchase a scanner which generates at
least 300 dots per inch resolution and if a small format
scanner preferably one that supports the TWAIN interface.
TracTrix also drives several large format scanners
including, Contex, Ideal, Vemco, CalComp, Océ and
WideCom. You should also look for a scanner which also scans
and outputs in color so that you can take advantage of
TracTrix vectorization from colored originals.
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I have
an old scanner. Will it work with TracTrix? |
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If your scanner can create
a monochrome (also called bi-tonal or black and white - i.e.
no shades of gray) TIFF, CALS or one of many other
monochrome image file formats you can use TracTrix.
To use TracTrix color vectorization you'll
need a color scanner.
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Is
there any way I can use TracTrix without a
scanner? |
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The short answer is that
TracTrix requires the type of image that scanners create. A
more complete answer is that you do not need to own or
acquire a scanner in order to use TracTrix.
You could go to a scanning bureau to have your scans done.
Or you could try using your fax modem, although we don't
recommend this approach.
Conversion Bureaus: You could have your
drawings scanned at a bureau, put the images on disk, tape
or CD ROM and use these stored raster images as input to
TracTrix.
A disadvantage of this approach is that
you will not be able to experiment easily with scanning
difficult images - dirty, dilapidated or cluttered ones - so
that they vectorize optimally.
You and your bureau should establish
clear quality control procedures for the scans, preferably
after running a pilot study using a good sample of your
drawings. Alternatively, for large conversion projects, you
may want to consider contracting out all the work to a
conversion bureau. Trix Systems does offer a conversion service. See
Trix
Systems Conversion Services.
Legacy Scans: If you already have
stored binary images from previous scans, they can probably
be taken into TracTrix with no problem. Some experimenting
may have to be done to achieve this. For additional help
with poor quality images ask us for advice.
Aperture cards: Few companies have
an aperture card scanner. But many have aperture cards and
an aperture card viewer. Aperture cards can be scanned by a
bureau and the raster file delivered to you on disk or
tape. These files can then be opened and converted by
TracTrix.
Using a Fax image: We know of users
who fax drawings to their computer's fax modem (using the
fine setting) and open the stored fax image in TracTrix to
create vectors. However we don't recommend this approach.
TracTrix works best with images of at least 300 dots per
inch or 400 dots per inch. Normal fax standards do not
support this level of resolution.
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What
will I save by using TracTrix? |
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|
Exact savings depend upon
the quality of the original drawing and the type of image
being brought into CAD. Some users report costs savings as
high as 80% against conventional methods such as complete
redraws, tablet digitizing and heads-up digitizing. And for
some images, such as contours, automatic vectorization by
TracTrix saves even more.
Taken over a library of original drawings
we think you might realistically expect that the total time
required to scan, vectorize with TracTrix and perform
post-conversion tidy-up would be around 50% of what it would
take for manual redrawing in CAD. However, every user's
originals are different.
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What
will I gain by using TracTrix? |
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This question is a bit
different from 'What will I save..? TracTrix has opened new
methods to the 'time to market' issues so important to
today's manufacturers. Many companies employ TracTrix
to shorten
time to manufacture by allowing sketches and
other irregular drawings to be rapidly taken into CAD format
for use in numerically controlled milling machines,
machining centers, laser, water jet and plasma arc
cutters.
Manufacturers are able to start with less
than perfect originals and use TracTrix technology to
produce samples and finished parts in a fraction of the time
previously taken.
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What
does TracTrix do with text, symbols - Optical Character
Recognition (OCR) ? |
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|
From our experience, text
on engineering drawings, especially numerals and angled
text, is very difficult to capture adequately with
conventional OCR technology.
Hand drawn letters and numerals often look
alike and are very difficult for the eye to discern. For
example, we find that the hand drawn 'B' and '8' are quite
frequently mistranslated, a poorly formed capital letter 'G'
is often mistranslated as a '6' and vice versa.
Text at any significant angle to the normal axes is missed
entirely. Post OCR editing time to find and correct the
things that were missed or worse, erroneously translated,
often takes longer than keying in all the text. The comments
for text apply equally to symbols.
TracTrix has a unique text
recognition technology. When initiated it searches for text
regions and isolates them from the drawing line work
itself.
The text recognition in TracTrix will either convert the
identified text regions to CAD characters by its built in
OCR or allow you to 'train' it to recognize the uniqueness
of the characters in your particular drawing or set of
drawings.
If font-based text is not a requirement, text areas can be
selected for vectorization using TracTrix outline mode. This
produces very readable text in vector lines rather than a
vector font.
Alternatively, if the text is too
unreadable to convert automatically TracTrix provides
tools to create font-based vector text. In TracTrix the
user manually enters the text in vector overlay mode, then
deletes the raster text underneath.
Trix Systems is continuously reviewing
OCR and pattern recognition technology in order to improve
and enhance TracTrix. Recognition of shapes is not yet
available - this 'pattern recognition problem is similar to
that encountered with OCR - but the techniques available for
our present processors are just not satisfactory.
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|
Can I
just vectorize what I want and not the whole
drawing? |
|
|
Yes. TracTrix allows
"windowing" around that portion you wish to vectorize.
|
|
Does
TracTrix despeckle or eliminate "noise"? |
|
|
Despeckling or noise
elimination means eliminating small groups of pixels which
create visual 'dirt' or visual clutter in a raster image.
TracTrix settings allow the user to define the minimum size
of object to be vectorized. In this way 'dirt' is ignored
and not vectorized.
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|
Does
TracTrix do orthogonal adjustment? |
|
|
Squaring up corners is
referred to as orthogonal adjustment. TracTrix provides this
facility. It also allows you to adjust the whole of or parts
of a vector image to be absolutely vertical or
horizontal.
|
|
Does
TracTrix recognize circles? |
|
|
TracTrix recognizes
circles as well as arcs, lines, polylines and Bezier
curves.
|
|
How far
can TracTrix zoom in? |
|
|
It can zoom enough so that
the user can see down to the single pixel level.
|
|
Can
TracTrix show a vector over a raster? |
|
|
Yes, this is a facility in
TracTrix and is a useful way to check that the vectors
represent the raster image.
|
|
Can
TracTrix show dimensions in metrics and/or
inches? |
|
|
Yes, either one, it's
users choice each time it's used.
|
|
Can
TracTrix be set to jump a gap in a line? |
|
|
Incomplete or broken lines
can be edited, in the raster with our raster editing tools
or as vectors, into complete or single lines within TracTrix
or as vectors in your CAD software.
|
|
How
many layers can TracTrix put vectors on? |
|
|
TracTrix can create and
place vectors on a near unlimited number of layers. This is
achieved by identifying in advance the different raster line
widths to be vectorized then each set of line widths is
placed on different layers after vectorization.
TracTrix also recognizes offset spot
colors. It will vectorize each different color and place the
resultant vectors from each color on different layers. This
too will provide an unlimited number of vector layers.
|
|
Can I
use TracTrix without a CAD package? |
|
|
TracTrix installs on
your CPU as a standalone conversion tool that does not
require a CAD package and as an object ARX application that
runs within AutoCAD. No separate license is required.
TracTrix 2 is a standalone package. Most users do
have a CAD package into which the resultant TracTrix vectors
are taken either before or after editing in TracTrix. Some
NC users take their cutting input files directly from
TracTrix.
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How
does TracTrix raster-to-vector conversion
work? |
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An algorithm in TracTrix
is designed to seek the pixels in the raster image and
'follow' them according to the parameters set by the
operator. These include following the edge line of pixels in
the 'Outline' following mode or following the centerline of
the selected line width of pixels in the 'Centerline'
following mode.
Additionally, TracTrix can be set
optionally to create vectors as lines, arcs, circles,
polylines, Beziers, NURBS or splines. The original image and
desired file type often dictate the mode selected.
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Definitions |
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DXF
DXF is one of many vector file formats used for the
storage and exchange of CAD drawing data between different
CAD software applications.
Hybrid
file
A file containing both raster and vector
information.
ISO
9000
ISO 9000 is an international certification of company
quality standards established by The International Standards
Organization (ISO), headquartered in Geneva Switzerland.
Certification may be required in order to do business in
certain industries, in certain countries, with certain
companies and many government agencies. There are also other
ISO standards with different numbers governing different
types of businesses and technologies.
Line
following
Line following software vectorizes interactively. The
operator watches as the software tracks along the lines in
an image and intervenes if an error is made. This is slower
than automatic vectorization but can produce better results
in certain types of complex images. Line Following will be
supported in a future release of TracTrix in conjunction
with other major technical advances.
Splines,
B-splines, NURBS and Bezier
curves
A spline or B-spline curve is a blended piece polynomial
curve passing near a given set of control points. The
blending functions are the type that provide more local
control compared to other curves like a Bezier curve. A
Bezier is a polynomial curve passing near, but not
necessarily through, a set of given points.
A Bezier curve represents
an equation of an order one less than the number of points
being considered. A NURBS (Non uniform rational B-spline) is
a B-spline curve or surface defined by a series of weighted
control points and one or more knot vectors.
TWAIN
TWAIN is driver software which enables applications
software such as TracTrix and other graphics applications to
communicate with and drive your scanner. Once you've set up
an application to use TWAIN, its presence should be almost
invisible to you. Created by Hewlett-Packard, the TWAIN
standard is now widely used by other small format scanner
manufacturers.
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your question ask us here
or call us on (978)
256-4445.
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