I have access to a very large laser engraver/cutter at work. However, to take advantage of this for cutouts for a rifle case, I need a vector image of the outline.

What's the best way to get something like this? I've tried photos from above; the distortion at the edges screws up the true size of the outline. Any other tricks? Does industry use some kind of special overhead multi-camera setup?

The items are not things that I can just find outlines of online- lots of add-ons and modifications.

I KNOW I KNOW! I could just use a tracing of the items on the foam and use either a hotwire, razor, or electric knife. Lasers are cleaner and may as well take advantage...

Just do a manual line-drawing in Photoshop or Illustrator or whatever. You don't have to get every little curve and gully, do you? It's foam, after all.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Just do a manual line-drawing in Photoshop or Illustrator or whatever. You don't have to get every little curve and gully, do you? It's foam, after all.

That's what I started doing, then I figured there may just be a trick I'm not aware of. If not, that's probably where I'll go back to.

Well, I'm sure there is some way to do what you're trying to accomplish. Ask Mars Attacks. He's a printer, isn't he? If he doesn't know, he might know someone who does.

What about using an image file from a screen printer, the kind of printer used to make T-shirts? Those edges should be sharp. Not sure if the dimensions would be accurate though.

Sig cases somehow have optional removable foam pieces cut for optics. For a flattop, I don't know how you would accommodate that, with all the optics possible.

I have always used the electric kitchen knife, ie. turkey carving knife, and have good results.

lay the gun on the foam, trace with sharpie, and carve away.

The new(ish) pick-and-pluck foam is much easier than doing a free hand carve and gives better results IMO.

There are a lot of Free CAD programs available on the net. Note CAD is nearly 100% Vector, the only time image files are used is Graphics are added to the file for illustration. I will also note that the DXF format file is Vector based.

The drill is simple, take a picture from a longer distance such as 20 or 30 feet. This will reduce the vanishing point effect. Save the image as a .JPG file because that has become a universal file for Graphics transfers between systems. Insert that graphics file into a CAD program, scale it to real world size, and then do your tracing. Once the tracing is complete then delete the graphic insert and save the tracing as a .DXF file.

AutoCAD is a vector based software if you have access. Typically, a company wouldn’t have a laser cutter without also having CAD software.

If you want, you can email me photos above the gun and I can draw an outline in CAD and send you the requisite file type.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
If you want, you can email me photos above the gun and I can draw an outline in CAD and send you the requisite file type.

I love this forum. This sort of response is only one of many, many reasons why.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
AutoCAD is a vector based software if you have access. Typically, a company wouldn’t have a laser cutter without also having CAD software.

If you want, you can email me photos above the gun and I can draw an outline in CAD and send you the requisite file type.

That is very kind of you! I haven’t used CAD in years, so it would take me a lot longer to do this. I’ll shoot you an email later today.

Taking a photo from farther away also makes sense.

After cutting it, spray the foam with the Plasti-Dip in the can. It really make the foam almost custom looking. Pretty inexpensive.

Be sure to do it in a very ventilated area.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Taking a photo from farther away also makes sense.

Maybe taking your pictures with a white bedsheet then duplicate the pics but with a dark bedsheet as the background? Might help Mr. YellowJacket with his kind offer...

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