Can any one help out with how I can go about creating a template with my computer accurately. I am looking to create full length half templates of various boards.I have someone that can cut my templates by computer cutter if I can supply the details in corel draw or similar form.Any help would be appreciated.
Try TurboCAD by Imsi. Use the bezier curve tool. It does what AutoCad beziers won’t do. It allows you to warp lines as they leave control points, even end points. TurboCAD is easier and faster than AutoCAD, but costs about 1/6 as much. Website: http://www.imsisoft.com/ The link below is to a free TurboCAD trial version. http://nct.digitalriver.com/fulfill/0002.18
Autocad will let you do that. I don’t know what the pulldown command is, but just put in your measurements and then draw a polyline through them. Use the pedit command in the command line to change the “fullness” of the connection between them. I have no experience making templates with autocad, but I’ve done more than my fair share of drafting for an engineering firm. If you have no morals…there are many ways to get autocad (or for that matter probably turbocad) for free. Cough, cough, Kazaa. I doubt you will get the performance you want from a program like corel.
The computer cutter can probably cut templates from .dxf files(Autocad,turbocad, etc). The shop could be converting “corel draw or similar” files to .dxf. Alternatively the cutter may be able to import a variety of files. Ask the shop what file types they prefer. It’ll probably be .eps, .ai or .dxf - these are “Vector” file types, they contain mathmatical descriptions of shapes that can be used to control the path of the cutter. Programs like Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand are used for producing flat artwork for print and web, programs like Autocad, TurboCad produce technical drawings and 3d files that can be used in manufacturing. Because you are making simple flat curves for templates, programs like Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand will work fine. Turbocad will work fine also. You can get a demo of Freehand from Macromedia’s site.
Noodle: Are the “Professional” versions of Turbo Cad required to obtain the proper toolboxes for bezier curves etc. that are useful for surfboard templates? Tom S.
Tom, I don’t think TC Pro is a must, but I’m not absolutely certain. I have v.7 Pro, so I know it does good beziers. But from the TC material I’ve read beziers come with the standard version as well. The standard TC trial version is available for download at the IMSI.com site, so you can test it. TC Pro v.7 has 3D modeling (whatever that is), and a Visual Basic module. I think the newer TC has some nifty enhancements like drawing in render mode. Have you found a wide-carriage dot-matrix printer yet?
Noodle thanks for your feedback. I actually downloaded the “free” 2D v.4.0 Turbo Cad Professional this morning. I decided I had better get comfortable with that before going way out on a limb with 3D. I need the CAD 2D for a project and the 3D and Modeling features are interesting for later down the road. No wide carriage Dot Matrix printer yet, what is the scoop on brand/models of WC dot matrix printers? Tom S.
Hi Noodle and Tom, I use TC Pro V7, the bezier curve is a must in making surfboard templates ( my personal comments cos I dont know another way to make template). When the shape done I print it out with my cheap Epson inkjet printer, it takes several minutes to half an hour.
Tom, I’ve got an HP 1120 inkjet printer. It’s wide carriage, but it won’t print wide banners. I think most wide carriage dot matrix printers print banners at full width… needed for surfboard templates. New wide carriage dot matrix printers start at about $400. The alternate route is a 24" plotter. They start at about $1,000. I used to like my Panasonic dot matrix. I’ve used NEC’s that I really liked, and Okidata has a good reputation. I found http://www.uscomputerexchange.com/printers.htm on a Google search. Don’t know how reputable they are or if their used stock is any good. Buying used printers could pose a problem for wunna them new-fangled computers with no centronix parallel printer port.
Take your file to kinkos or a place that does cad plotting. To get your moneys worth plot as many curves as you can slightly offset from each other. Take the plot home and cut out the most outter curve from the plot and trace it to a piece of masonite…continue with your next curve…
If anyone is interested I have an HP350C inkjet plotter for sale 24" wide. it is the sheet fed model, but can be set up for roll feed $2,500 new, sell for $500. incl. ink cartriges. Contact for details. Also have HP5000ps plotter & will print plots for cash. http://dreamflagproductions.com