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Load an Image to Draw Over

  • This lesson shows how to Load an Image (Raster) in order to draw over it so that it can be Cut/Penned/Debossed/Vinyled (Vector).

  • A large, clean Image is the best to work with. 

  • Any distortions in your original image can make it difficult to draw over.

 Raster Definition

A Raster is a Bitmap image (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) that is made up of a grid of Pixels, such as a photograph, which can be loaded in Trace, the Design Editor and Visualize.

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

 Vector Definition

A Vector is a graphic drawing in Trace that contains Paths, which are defined by a Start and End point and may contain other Points, Curves, and Angles.

The Vector Paths are independent of resolution, which means they can be resized without losing detail.

A Path is also a file format of Trace which saves all of the Vector elements of the design as you work, whether it is Traced or not. 

When the design is completed, save it as a CutArt to load into the Design Editor.

See: Raster Definition

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

Load Image

  • First we need to make sure we are designing the layers in the correct order for these instructions.

  • On the FrameShop Main Page, click Admin and stay on the Defaults tab.

  • Under Layer Direction select Bottom Up if it is not already set to that.

  • Click Save and return to the Main Page.

    • You can change this back to the original setting later if desired.

  • Layer Direction: Bottom Up is the preferred direction.

    • When you Offset an object to create another layer, that new layer will be the Top layer.

  • Layer Direction: Top Down is not recommended.

    • When you Offset an object to create another layer, that new layer will be the Bottom layer, even though it is larger than the original object.

2LayerLetterMatDefaultDirection800.png
 Raster Definition

A Raster is a Bitmap image (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) that is made up of a grid of Pixels, such as a photograph, which can be loaded in Trace, the Design Editor and Visualize.

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

 Vector Definition

A Vector is a graphic drawing in Trace that contains Paths, which are defined by a Start and End point and may contain other Points, Curves, and Angles.

The Vector Paths are independent of resolution, which means they can be resized without losing detail.

A Path is also a file format of Trace which saves all of the Vector elements of the design as you work, whether it is Traced or not. 

When the design is completed, save it as a CutArt to load into the Design Editor.

See: Raster Definition

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

 Visualize Definition

The Visualize software allows the user to create a digitally finished product using the selected frames, matboards and the artwork.

This makes it easy to present several different variations of the design for the customer to pick from. 

See: Visualization

  • Locate and click on the desired Image to select it and click Open.

 Raster Definition

A Raster is a Bitmap image (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) that is made up of a grid of Pixels, such as a photograph, which can be loaded in Trace, the Design Editor and Visualize.

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

Enter Width/Height of Image

  • The Design Bounds shows the current size of the Image.

  • If you need to resize the image, do it before you Vectorize/Draw Over the Image.

  • If you resize the Image after Vectorizing/Drawing Over It, only the Image and the Design Bounds are resized, not your Drawn/Vectorized objects. 

  • Enter the desired width of the Image in the Width field in the Design Bounds section.  

  • The Height field will automatically adjust proportionately.

  • This also works vice versa if you have the desired Height.

 Design Bounds Definition

The Design Bounds defines the canvas size of the current design in Trace.

This controls both the Canvas Size for the current drawing and the Image Size for the currently loaded image.

Enter the Design Bounds before beginning your design.

See: Design Bounds Function

 Raster Definition

A Raster is a Bitmap image (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) that is made up of a grid of Pixels, such as a photograph, which can be loaded in Trace, the Design Editor and Visualize.

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

 Vector Definition

A Vector is a graphic drawing in Trace that contains Paths, which are defined by a Start and End point and may contain other Points, Curves, and Angles.

The Vector Paths are independent of resolution, which means they can be resized without losing detail.

A Path is also a file format of Trace which saves all of the Vector elements of the design as you work, whether it is Traced or not. 

When the design is completed, save it as a CutArt to load into the Design Editor.

See: Raster Definition

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

Make the Image Lighter/Darker

  • If desired, click on the Vectorize tab, move the Opacity Slider toward the Left to Reduce the background Image and make the Vector segments Easier to See as you are drawing.

  • Move the Slider to the Right to Increase the visibility of the background Image, which may make the drawn Vector shapes Harder to See.

  • Note that adjusting the Image opacity will not have any affect on how the Image Vectorizes.

 Raster Definition

A Raster is a Bitmap image (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) that is made up of a grid of Pixels, such as a photograph, which can be loaded in Trace, the Design Editor and Visualize.

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

 Vector Definition

A Vector is a graphic drawing in Trace that contains Paths, which are defined by a Start and End point and may contain other Points, Curves, and Angles.

The Vector Paths are independent of resolution, which means they can be resized without losing detail.

A Path is also a file format of Trace which saves all of the Vector elements of the design as you work, whether it is Traced or not. 

When the design is completed, save it as a CutArt to load into the Design Editor.

See: Raster Definition

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

Draw Over the Image

  • Click on the Trace and Draw tab.

  • Select the Draw radio button.

  • Select the desired drawing tool, such as Line, Arc, etc.

  • Zoom In/Out on the design as needed to make it easier to see the details of the Image/Object Being Drawn.

 Raster Definition

A Raster is a Bitmap image (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) that is made up of a grid of Pixels, such as a photograph, which can be loaded in Trace, the Design Editor and Visualize.

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

 Vector Definition

A Vector is a graphic drawing in Trace that contains Paths, which are defined by a Start and End point and may contain other Points, Curves, and Angles.

The Vector Paths are independent of resolution, which means they can be resized without losing detail.

A Path is also a file format of Trace which saves all of the Vector elements of the design as you work, whether it is Traced or not. 

When the design is completed, save it as a CutArt to load into the Design Editor.

See: Raster Definition

See: Vector Definition

See: Raster to Vector Definition

See: Vectorize in the Design Editor Function

See: Vectorize in Trace Function

  • Click where you want to begin drawing.

  • Using the sequences necessary for the selected drawing tool, (i.e., click to place First, Middle, and End-Points for an Arc) to Draw the segments.

Explode Object into Segments to Edit Separately

  • If you can't Move a Point or Edit the current Segment because it selects the whole object, you will have to Explode the object. This will break up the object into the individual segments that make it up, which can then be edited separately.

  • Click on the desired object.

  • Click the Explode button.

 Explode Definition

The Explode button will break up the Selected Object into the individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

The Explode All button will break All Objects into their individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

For example, a Rectangle will be broken up into Four Individual Lines which can be edited separately.

See: Explode Function in Trace

See: Explode All Function in Trace

  • The Exploded object is now broken up into the individual segments which can now each be edited separately.

  • Optionally, Click Edit > Explode All to break up the entire design into its individual segments.

 Explode Definition

The Explode button will break up the Selected Object into the individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

The Explode All button will break All Objects into their individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

For example, a Rectangle will be broken up into Four Individual Lines which can be edited separately.

See: Explode Function in Trace

See: Explode All Function in Trace

Moving Points

  • After drawing the design, you can go back and Move the Points in order to tweak the design.

  • Click and hold the mouse on the End-Point of the segment you wish to Move.

  • Drag the point to where you want to move it and release the mouse button to place it. 

  • The Point is Moved.

Delete the Lines/Arcs You Want to Redraw

  • Sometimes editing a Line/Arc doesn't give the expected results. In those cases, it may be easier to just delete the Line/Arc and redraw it. 

  • Before deleting the specific Line/Arc, you will need to Explode it from any objects it is joined to. 

  • If you need to edit only a segment of an enclosed object, see Explode Object into Segments to Edit Separately above to break it up into editable segments.

  • Hold down the CTRL key and click on each segment you want to Delete.

  • Click the Delete button.

 Line Definition

The Line/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. 

The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136.

See: Line Tool Function

 Arc Definition

The Arc tool allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined arc in the Trace software.

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

 Spline Definition

The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software.

The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points:

Initial Position (called an Anchor)

Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape.

Terminating Position (called an Anchor)

Splines are easier to handle in the software than Arcs for tangification which makes the cuts smoother between arcs.

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to Splines for software simplification purposes.

Arcs are provided for those that prefer to draw with them.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

 Explode Definition

The Explode button will break up the Selected Object into the individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

The Explode All button will break All Objects into their individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

For example, a Rectangle will be broken up into Four Individual Lines which can be edited separately.

See: Explode Function in Trace

See: Explode All Function in Trace

  • The segments are Deleted.

Draw Replacement Lines/Arcs

  • If you need to edit only a segment of an enclosed object, see Explode Object into Segments to Edit Separately above to break it up into editable segments.

  • Select the desired segment and hit the Delete button. 

  • The segment is Deleted.

  • Click on the Draw radio button.

  • Select the desired drawing tool, such as Line or Arc.

  • Right-Click on the End-Point of the segment you want to start drawing from. 

 Line Definition

The Line/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. 

The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136.

See: Line Tool Function

 Arc Definition

The Arc tool allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined arc in the Trace software.

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

 Spline Definition

The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software.

The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points:

Initial Position (called an Anchor)

Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape.

Terminating Position (called an Anchor)

Splines are easier to handle in the software than Arcs for tangification which makes the cuts smoother between arcs.

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to Splines for software simplification purposes.

Arcs are provided for those that prefer to draw with them.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

 Explode Definition

The Explode button will break up the Selected Object into the individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

The Explode All button will break All Objects into their individual segments that make up the object in Trace.

For example, a Rectangle will be broken up into Four Individual Lines which can be edited separately.

See: Explode Function in Trace

See: Explode All Function in Trace

  • Either Click to place the next point or if drawing between segments, or Right-Click to snap to an existing Point such as the first Point of the next segment item.

Edit Until Satisfied

  • Continue Drawing and Editing the design until it is completed.

Join All Segments

  • Once your design has been drawn, Connect the segments together so that it can be Traced.

 Join Definition

The Join button will connect the Selected Segments together as one object in Trace. 

The Auto Join Segments button will automatically join All Adjacent Segments together in Trace.

See: Join Tool Function

See: Auto Join Segments Function

 Traced Definition

Tracing the Design provides the Bevel Type and other necessary information to the Vector design in order to either Cut or apply with a Non-Blade Tool on the CMC.

The Set Bevels Tab in Trace contains the tools needed to Trace the design.

See: Tracing the Design

  • You can confirm that the objects are Joined by moving the cursor over the objects. 

  • If the entire object turns White, it is connected. 

  • However, if only the current segment under the cursor turns White, you may have to Manually Join the segments.

 Joined Definition

The Join button will connect the Selected Segments together as one object in Trace. 

The Auto Join Segments button will automatically join All Adjacent Segments together in Trace.

See: Join Tool Function

See: Auto Join Segments Function

Convert to Splines/Tangify

  • Click Edit > Convert Arcs to Splines. 

    • The splines can be tangified with less distortion, which will give a smoother cutting path for the design.

  • Click on Edit > Tangify all Circuits.

    • This makes each arc tangent to each other for smoother cutting.

  • The degree of Tangification is set in the Tangify field; the default is six degrees.

 Arc Definition

The Arc tool allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined arc in the Trace software.

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

 Splines Definition

The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software.

The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points:

Initial Position (called an Anchor)

Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape.

Terminating Position (called an Anchor)

Splines are easier to handle in the software than Arcs for tangification which makes the cuts smoother between arcs.

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to Splines for software simplification purposes.

Arcs are provided for those that prefer to draw with them.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

 Convert Arc to Splines Definition

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942513851 which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arcs Definition

See: Arcs Tool Function

See: Splines Definition

See: Splines Tool Function

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

 Tangify Definition

The Tangify function will smooth the connection between the Selected Arc Circuits that are below the specified Angle in the Tangify field to provide a smoother cutting transition between the arcs. 

The Tangify All Circuits will smooth the connection between All of the Arc Circuits that are below the specified Angle in the Tangify field to provide a smoother cutting transition between the arcs. 

See: Tangify Function

See: Tangify All Circuits Function

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

Trace the Design

  • Click on the Set Bevels tab.

  • Hold down the CTRL key and click on each Drop of the design, if applicable.

  • Select the desired Drop Bevel Type then click Set.

  • The Drops of the design turn the color of the Drop Bevel Type selected.

L11DrawTraceDrops70800.png

  • Hold down the CTRL key and click on each Opening of the design.

  • Select the desired Bevel Type then click Set.

  • The openings turn the color of the Bevel Type selected showing that the design is now traced.

L11DrawTraceOpenings70800.png

Save and Cut

  • Optionally, you can also bring the CutArt straight to the Cut Preview from Trace.

  • The design is completed.

 Traced Definition

Tracing the Design provides the Bevel Type and other necessary information to the Vector design in order to either Cut or apply with a Non-Blade Tool on the CMC.

The Set Bevels Tab in Trace contains the tools needed to Trace the design.

See: Tracing the Design

Comparison

You can see how much we changed the design when you compare it to what we started with.

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