I've just purchased a vinyl cutter and I'd like to start making vinyl paint mask. I'd like to start out with some numbers and simpler logos first, but I'm unsure of the best way to turn a .jpg logo like this one into a file that I can send through my cutter. I've started tracing the lines around the letters and shading, but didn't know if there is a simpler way of doing this. I'd like to be able to take this logo and get the outlines of the image only. Is there an easy way of doing this or do i need to using the to trace around all the letters?

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

Hhmmm....with that image, drawing with the Pen/Bezier tool is probably the best option. If the image quality was a little better, you could use Trace Bitmap, and do a bit of node editing on the result. But I'd use the Pen on this one.

Maybe you could
1) preprocess the image with gimp using colors/posterize with the lowest threshold available.
2) import the image then trace in inkscape (paths/vectorize (or is it paths/trace?)) select the image then shift+alt+A
3) select then drop red shapes.

Brynn - I don't think the colors matter so much for using a vinyl cutter, it goes on the outline, not the fill.

Personally I would trace the object manually for most things, for me, I've found in most instances that the trace bitmap thing wastes alot of time in trying to fix the nodes.
You also have to ensure that the object you are cutting isn't copyrighted, even fonts can be copyrighted, and most only allow for personal use. (A lot of people don't realize that just about everything is copyrighted, you can use it for personal use, but can't sell or re-sell it). So, if doing this as a business, even small business, it's sometimes better to create your own original artwork, no law suits to worry about (or buy something where you have bought the rights to re-sell it).
Have fun with the vinyl cutter, they can do some neat things (I have a small cutter, but haven't used it for vinyl).

Hi Dee,
The colors don't matter to the cutter, but they sometimes can matter to Trace Bitmap. But I wasn't referring to the quality of the colors. It's more that the edges aren't sharp and clear. It has a distinct rasterishness about it -- slightly blurry. In this case, lukin can probably get a pretty good scan, but would still need to tweak a few nodes.

brynn wrote: It's more that the edges aren't sharp and clear. It has a distinct rasterishness about it -- slightly blurry. .

preprocess in gimp (posterize) would eliminate this (to some extent)

Posterize -- I'll try and remember. Thanks v1nce

mtPaint allows you to posterize. Its much lighter weight than gimp - handy if you just want to modify the colors.

; -)

http://mtpaint.sourceforge.net/

Thanks guys!

I ended up tracing the image and I now have what I need in order to cut.

My problem now is copying that image into multiple Inkscape windows. I've read the issues about having to copy and paste within the same instance, but that still doesn't seem to be working for me. I'd like to have separate files for each logo then copy multiple logos into one instance of Inkscape in order to get everything measured out properly for the cutter.

When you open a second Inkscape window within the same instance, does it open within one window or open a separate window?

I've tried both version .47 and .48 on Windows 7.

Awesome, I'm glad you got something working!

I'm not clear what you're asking, re multiple windows/logos. Do you want to know how to put many logos into one file? Or have many files containing one logo each?

If you have one file open in Inkscape, then click File menu > Open, it opens a whole new Inkscape window with whatever file you chose. Both windows/files are open. However, if you have Inkscape open to a new blank page (which is how Inkscape always opens, if you used the desktop icon) and then open a new file, the blank one closes when the new file opens. Then you have only 1 file open in Inkscape. You can never have more than one file open in a window. But you can have many files/windows open at once.

If you want multiple logos in one file, just paste them in. You only have to copy once, then click Paste as many times as you need logos.

If you want multiple windows/files with one logo each, you can use File menu > Save a Copy from the original file containing one logo. It will save a complete and identical copy of the file, although you'll have to give it a different name.

If you don't have a file containing one logo, (you can either make one, or) you can copy the logo and paste into new blank files. You might have to have all the blank files already open at the time you copy the logo. Personally I'd use Save a Copy

Let me know if I've misunderstood the question. Although I might not be back on the forum until tomorrow night. But I'm sure other members can answer as well as I.