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Thread: Looking for a free drawing program

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Paradise PA
    Posts
    3,098

    Looking for a free drawing program

    Im looking for a free drawing program that I can import an image, trace it, and then save as a dfx.file so it can be waterjet cut.

    Ive found free dfx files of the basic shape, but I dont have a program that will edit them to make it exactly what I want. I have Autodesk, but its an education free version and the waterjet program wont accept it.
    14x48 custom 2hp 9gear lathe
    9 inch pre 1940 craftsman lathe
    36 inch 1914 Sydney bandsaw (BEAST)
    Wood in every shelf and nook and cranny,,, seriously too much wood!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Posts
    15,332
    Sketch-up might work for you...just google it.
    Wood: a fickle medium....

    Did you know SMC is user supported? Please help.

  3. #3
    Inkscape will import / export .dxf files

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Ottawa, ON Canada
    Posts
    1,468
    It might be a bit convoluted, but you could take a screen cap of the dxf image, the open it in any number of free graphics programs as a .jpg. Once you've made your changes, you can use a free jpg to dxf converter to change it back. (I did say it was convoluted, remember.)

    You can work with dxf files in Sketchup, but I don't believe there is a trace function.
    Grant
    Ottawa ON

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Camas, WA 98607
    Posts
    168
    QCAD might do what you want.....

    I have used it for drafting, and I know it saves in dxf format, but I know nothing about waterjet machines.

    Lornie

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Paradise PA
    Posts
    3,098
    I downloaded Inkscape, interesting program, and worked pretty well. thank you
    14x48 custom 2hp 9gear lathe
    9 inch pre 1940 craftsman lathe
    36 inch 1914 Sydney bandsaw (BEAST)
    Wood in every shelf and nook and cranny,,, seriously too much wood!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    116
    I use Draftsight on occasion. My primary CAD program isn't free, but draftsight has multiple "save as" functions, including all the variations of dxf.
    Last edited by 'Jacques Malan'; 05-04-2013 at 3:22 AM.

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