[sdiy] [semiOT] Schaeffer Frontplatten HP-GL troubles

[cyborgzero at comcast.net]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Trevor Page" <trevor at resonance.fsnet.co.uk>
To: <cyborgzero at comcast.net>; <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2002 7:06 PM
Subject: Re: [sdiy] [semiOT] Schaeffer Frontplatten HP-GL troubles


> Ah, interesting to find someone doing a similar thing. The 'find
edge'
> feature was something I was going to use at a later stage once I had
got
> these initial problems out of the way. Out of interest do you have
any
> images of panels you've engraved like this on the web? I'm
interested to see
> what the results are like. Also, are you using the command-line
version of
> KVEC?

Yes..

(I don't know if a version with a GUI actually exists). Do you just
> perform a simple conversion, or do you optimise it in anyway i.e.
using
> switches?

I use the text switch a lot, and then I usually set the resolution for
high.

 Any particular settings that you find work best? I've briefly read
> through the text file but not progressed much beyond the simple
"kvec
> test.bmp test.plt" yet.

-font works really well, combined with -resolution high. The others
depend on what resolution of the source material is..

IMHO, Wintopo kicks its ass. Try that first. ;) I am having serious
misgivings about KVEC right now.


>
> I'm not sure if the conversion method would be the issue here
though,
> because I did view the HP-GL file beforehand and the border didn't
appear to
> be there. But I am not 100% sure here.
>
> Also if it's cool with you, I'd like to send over one or two hp-gl
samples
> of what I've done, for your opinions.

Yeah, send em over, thats fine.
>
> Oh - I assume you are actually importing your files into
Frontplatten here?

Well, I actually sprung for a 8 x 5 x 6 CNC milling machine that I
have churning away in the garage. ;) So, mostly, I do my own
engraving, hence the reason behind this excursion; I was making a
remake of 303 and 606 cases, so I scanned the original faceplates,
took them into Photoshop, cleaned them up, took them into KVEC,
converted them to DXF, then used BOBCAD to do the DXF-CNC conversion.

But, some ppl wanted some *extra* stuff on their new case, so I can
change it and engrave it into the unit, then fill the channels of the
engraving with paint and it looks really nice.

Not to get too off the subject, but I can't tell you how nice it is to
have a full prototyping lab in your house. I mean, its been rough
going on how to get these processes down so they work everytime,
learning CNC code, learning how to do hot stamp film, learning how to
make molds and cast resins, milling a board, etc but its been *very*
liberating knowing you don't need to go anywhere to build a board,
engrave a panel, design a custom case, scan in a knob in 3d and change
it to suit your needs, and all the other things you think of in a day.

Needless to say my wife is somewhat pissed. ;)

Rob