Preface:
This is a copy of an e-mail I had sent one of my customers a few years ago explaining how I use CorelDraw 9 to "test" trace my .BMP images in the 600 dpi "Cowboys & Critters" series. Since then, I average sending a copy of this letter out to someone about six times a month... so it was time to create this Webpage so it will be handy for all. There may better ways to use CorelDraw 9 to do this... but this method works very well for me on my Win 98, and now XP system.
If someone has a better route to use the CorelDraw 9 Trace function.... please share it with our visitors!
Thanks...
-Stan
NOTE:
You will get the best trace results if your raster (.BMP) image is a pure black on white layout. While CorelDraw9 will try and trace whatever you import into it... you will find the simpler, no multi-colored, less complicated image layouts will yield better results overall.
Carl...
(this is using CorelDraw 9)
I don't really use the wire-frame mode. I just "Import" the .BMP image into Corel... then go to the top of the Corel window and open the "Bitmap" category... then select "Trace Bitmap" from that list of options. That automatically takes me into a new Window called "Trace 9" mode... go to the top of that Window and open the "Trace" category... and select the "by Outline" option. It only takes a few seconds for the "Trace" action to take place and you may not even realize that the "Trace" has been done. But once the "Trace" function is completed... I then go over to the "File" category (still in the Trace 9 Window)... and select the "Return Trace Results" option (very bottom of File list).
That returns me to the main CorelDraw 9 window... and the Black and White image is still there.
If you're not familiar with how to "Import" an image into Corel (and most other graphics programs as well)... go to the "Files" button (very top left of screen) and open it for the selections. The "Import" option will be found in that list of functions. Select (in this case) from the "Files of type:" the .BMP graphic format and (in the select box above) have it pointed to the directory in which you have the list of .BMP images located on your computer. Select the .BMP image you will be working with by just clicking on the image name/number and highlighting that image file.
Here's where it gets a little confusing...
The original .BMP image is still there... BUT... the newly traced image is placed exactly on TOP of it. I then take the mouse.. click the image and that will activate the "box" outline around that image. I then move the top image down (left mouse button and hold down to move the image) on the work screen... that leaves the original .BMP image at the top... and the newly "traced" image is now the lower image I just moved. You can tell, in CorelDraw 9, which is the original image when you move it by the solid grey box background that appears when the image is relocated in the work screen. The "Traced" image will look like a outline when moved inside the work screen. Once the original .BMP image is moved out of the way (and the "active box" rectangle is around it)... right click the mouse and select "cut" or "delete" to remove it and get it out of your hair. Don't worry, you are just "deleting" it from the work screen... NOT from your directory. The outlined image, you just got back from the Trace 9 function, is now the only image left and will show as a outline when moved. BUT... the newly "traced" image will still "look" like a solid Black on White image on the work screen when static.
Instructions for changing it to a outline...
Now... at the lower right side of the CorelDraw 9 Window... there is a "Fill" and "Outline" color select boxes. Let me stop a minute and explain that if you DON'T have a "box" activated around the newly traced image... the "Fill" and "Outline" color boxes will be "grayed out" and NOT function. Once you have the box around the newly traced image... then double click either the "Fill" or "Outline" box(es)... (these are the white boxes with an "X" inside - lower right side of screen) and select White for the "Fill". This will bring you back to the main Corel Window and the image will appear to have vanished since it is now a solid white image on a white background. Now double click the "Outline" X-box and select Black for the outline color. This will return you to the main Corel Window once again with the image now outlined in Black. Of course... you can reverse which "X" box you do first if that image "vanishing" act annoys you.
At this point... you can re-size it if needed. DO NOT try to re-size any raster (Bitmap) type of image until the "Trace" function has been completed. The outlines of a raster type image will go "ragged" on you in a heartbeat. Re-size only the "Traced" version of the image since it is now actively a "vector" image as far as CorelDraw9 is concerned.
You then "Export" it out (don't do a "Save as") as a .DXF file (yourname.dxf) and save it in a directory where it can be found again. It will take a few test runs to get the moves down, but once you get familiar with it... you can do a trace relatively fast.
If you not familiar with how to "Export" an image out... go to the "Files" button (very top left of screen) and open it for the selections. The "Export" option will be found in that list of functions. Now you can select which type of "vector" format you wish to save the image as. Most likely you would use the .DXF format for most "cutter" software purposes. Just remember what directory you exported it to so you can find it again..!!
Try my method and see if it works for you...
-Stan
|
