Full Version: File Types
From: basehorawards [#1]
23 Jun 2005
To: ALL
EDITED: 23 Jun 2005 by DGL
From: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#2]
24 Jun 2005
To: basehorawards [#1] 25 Jun 2005
James,
I *always* put WMF on the top of my requested list. However, a bit surprised that you'd say those our the two most often available; my experience is that a very small percentage of programs output WFM compared to other formats.
Possibly because it is a Microsoft format(?).
Possibly because it has only a fraction of the variations on command sets, but seems like any program that imports WMF imports *all* the command set whereas I know of no program that imports the complete command set of aCAD or postscript(.AI, .EPS,etc.).
From: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#3]
25 Jun 2005
To: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#2] 25 Jun 2005
I'm putting together a graphics and conversion CD for rastor to vector and viewing/converting any filetype.
Any suggestions/requests?
From: basehorawards [#4]
25 Jun 2005
To: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#2] 25 Jun 2005
Roy,
I guess clipart.com has a pretty good idea what it's users want. For $170 per year (first year was free when I bought cds) they should be paying attention.
Thanks for the input. I had been downloading both when available and playing with them. It seemed to me that the wmfs were easier to manipulate (ie make b/w, simplify, change colors) but I was not sure if that was the file type or my inexperience.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#5]
25 Jun 2005
To: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#3] 25 Jun 2005
John,
If it works for Macs, I'm in :-)
From: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#6]
25 Jun 2005
To: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#3] 25 Jun 2005
Da Big,
Not quite sure what you're asking(?).
Sounds like a re incarnation of HiJack? In it's time it was the premier import/export, raster->vector conversion program but honestly I feel like CorelDRAW does 100% of what it did and usually better.
From: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#7]
25 Jun 2005
To: basehorawards [#4] 26 Jun 2005
James,
Who am I to disagree with clipart.com. But I believe they carry WMF files for the same reason I suggested (by far least problematic), rather than that's the format for which people ask.
From: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#8]
25 Jun 2005
To: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#6] 26 Jun 2005
I'm putting together a cross platform image manipulation program using free and open source (GPL) programs. I'm shooting for an easy to use, inexpensive way of handling image conversion and clean up. I'm just learning what your machines need for input, I'm a programmer not an engraver (at this point anyway). It's occurred to me that many people don't have CorelDraw or AutoCAD, and just need some of the functionalities of the programs, not really the full versions.
I'm a PHP with MySQL web applications developer (you're on my server here) and work under Linux mostly, this has given me the opportunity to find many useful graphics tools that could be assembled into one "shell" that can run on any OS (basically from a local browser window) on any computer. Gimp from http://gimp.org is a versatile image manipulation program, but limited in some of the needs for vector conversion. Other open source programs are great at viewing/manipulating vector graphics, but lack Gimp's versatility.
I was a custom jeweler for 10 years, and did hand engraving in precious metal for stone setting, also wax carving/mold making and lost wax vacuum casting. So I have some understanding of processes. I used CorelDraw and AutoCAD for rendering drawings for customer approval, but never did any direct to machine output (except printing of course).
So, any insight you can provide to what a machine needs would be helpful. As a web developer, I've had customers hand me a postage stamp sized poorly scanned graphic and wanting a site designed off of it, I'm assuming we are in the same world there.... >.<
From: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#9]
26 Jun 2005
To: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#8] 26 Jun 2005
Da Big,
Wow, what an interesting and ambitious project!
About the only "not so obvious" information I could supply based on the state of our industry is that we still need HPGL and HPGL2(while many programs are discontinuing its support) and currently there is no program that will accurately handle AutoCAD files (except AutoCAD and competitive programs w/similar cost.)
We hope you proceed with the project and will watch for progress reports.
From: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#10]
26 Jun 2005
To: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#9] 26 Jun 2005
I have a non-windows HPGL viewer converter I can put in my package, but also there is a Windows shareware program (free for 30 days then $50) called PloView http://homepage2.nifty.com/ploview/ehp.htm that I understand is really good. I don't have a Win installation to try it on right now, please let me know what you think if you try it. (Info came from a reliable friend).
Thanks for the information.