Cad file needed (DXF). Help?

[Scottie]

So I'm wrapping up one of my off-season projects, a new instrument panel. I've built a new dash cap, and I have a shaped a physical template of the new instrument panel. I have created a photshop file with the gauge layout, cutouts, etc, and the file is to scale. I have the final material (a plastic laminate of sorts) and access to a water jet. What I don't have is a way to marry the .psd file with the physical template to produce the final result. How do I go about doing that? I'm all for doing it myself, but I don't have access to autocad to recreate the physical template or anything like that. I've worked with New Wire Marine before, and I'm sure I could just send them what I have and we could go back and forth, but I'm just not sure if there's any way I can get EXACTLY what I want from them or anyone else, just do to the nature of the exchange. If I'm standing at the water jet, I'll get what I need. So what ideas does anyone have? Anyone care to create a DXF for a fee? Is there a better way?

 

[haknslash]

Send it to me, I can help. Is your PSD file drawn using vector tools? I will need those in vector in order to convert it for you.

 

[hamsammy]

If you just have a sketch of it with dimensions, I could get it to you as well.

 

[2kwik4u]

I can help as well if the other tow guys don't pan out.

 

[dadofral]

We have AI to DXF converter or can draw it by hand to DXF or whatever is needed... let me know if we can be of any help as well.

 

[Dean P]

Sounds like you're covered but if not I work with SolidWorks all day everyday, but am also proficient ProE (now Creo), AutoCad, KeyCreator and CadKey. Love to help if I can.

 

[2kwik4u]

Sounds like there are a lots of CAD guys here.

Whats the preferred method of creating this?

I would take and insert the base file in AutoCAD or Drafsight as a raster, then retrace with lines/arcs/splines/circles/etc in said program. Then scale to fit the needed dimension. Not really as accurate as a straight PSD to DXF conversion I'm sure, but I've had good luck with it.

 

[haknslash]

The past few years you can use RasterDesign add-in for Autocad to convert a raster file to editable splines, polylines, etc. Only caveat is it needs to be REALLY clean file before working on it and high resolution otherwise you get trash you can’t use in the end and better off redrawing in CAD. RasterDesign is cool but has its place. It’s really great at taking old hand drawn 2D drawings from yesteryear and extrapolate that data into usable geometry in CAD. However those types of old drawings have artifacts on the vellum, scans, dirt, spit you name it so lots of ckeanup involved lol.

Typically for what he is wanting and assuming he made this using the pen tool in PS and not simply drew out his design using raster tools AND it’s to scale, I would import the PSD into Illistrator and then Export to CAD dwg and export to DXF. Done in a minute or two.

I would not even bother with my 3D modeling unless he has all dimensions spec’d and if he even needed 3D. I try and keep the freebie jobs as simple as possible on my end.

 

[Scottie]

Man you guys are great. Thanks so much for the responses! So I have a rectangular gauge panel drawn out in photoshop, circles and squares, and the panel is to scale with the physical template. I can open it with illustrator and save as DXF, and that part seems to be fine. The trouble I'm having is the panel itself. I have a physical panel, made from 1/4" luan. The left side and top of the panel are square, and the left corner could be used as an anchor point to overlay the gauge drawing and actual panel. How do I "digitize" the physical template? I guess that's my issue. I believe a professional would have some sort of laser scanning setup, but I have no idea. I see mentions online about taking a picture and importing it, but I don't have any idea how to make sure dimensions and positions aren't fubar'd during that process. i've attached quick pics of both items. For the gauge panel, white space is cut-out and grey space is overall outside dimensions. All shapes are on layers so I can hide whatever I need to before conversion. It wouldn't be dificult to just cut my slots and holes in the panel and use it as a template for my router on the final material, but the waterjet would produce a better result I believe, if I can get the file right. Let me know what you all think is best.

 

[haknslash]

I have a 3D laser scanner and CMM in my office but honestly if your part is flat, or the profile you need is flat, why not just measure it and make it in Illustrator to the dimensions? Much easier than me having to scan and probe the surfaces. That part seems fairly simple to measure by hand. If you need me to scan it I can help though. We live close by so you would need to meet me and I can take it to my office.

 

[Scottie]

The profile is definitely flat. I'm not proficient in illustrator and I'm not confident I could produce the curves at the bottom accurately by measuring and drawing. It's probably really simple for someone who does it all the time, but its out of my wheelhouse for sure. Would scanning it be the way to go then? If that's the case, and you're willing, then I'm certainly up for that. I pay in dollars and/or beer/liquor!

 

[hamsammy]

If you give me the length and width of the outside as well as a the sizes of a couple cutouts, I can import that image into cad and scale it accordingly.

 

[Scottie]

The smaller holes are 2.0625" (2 1/16). The larger holes are 3.375 (3 3/8)". The large white square is 8.17" x 5.92". See attached pic for panel dimensions. Let me know if you need more, and thanks for the help!

 

[Scottie]

I think I've got everything I needed, thanks to help from a few of you. Thanks so much! Should have some pics of the finished product in a couple of weeks. I think its going to turn out really nice. There won't be another 212x like it, that's for sure.