[comp.graphics] vectorization and/or getting bitmap data into AutoCAD

foot@tc.fluke.COM (Andrew Proudfoot) (06/04/91)

(Forgive me if the frequently-asked-questions posting somehow covers this,
but I can't see that it does.)

1. What software is available (Public domain or not, UNIX, PC, or Mac) to
   convert raster data to "vector" data?   How good a job does it do
   of inferring a reasonably small set of plausible entities, not a million
   itty-bitty line segments?  (Perfection is not important, I just don't
   want to end up with half-hour redraws.)

   We are interested in converting scanned-in images of old line
   drawings to AutoCAD format.  Once the image is in AutoCAD, we'll
   want to add stuff like notes and arrows, but the scanned-in portion
   will remain relatively fixed.

   A direct raster-to-DXF program would be great, but if I can
   get a list of basic graphics entities (all line segments would be
   OK; arcs would probably help keep the entity-count down) in any sensible
   format, I can write a filter to turn them into DXF entities myself.

2. Anybody have any general advice about how to incorporate
   such raster data into AutoCAD?   Anybody actually done it?

Thanks.

Andy Proudfoot                  || domain: foot@tc.fluke.COM
John Fluke Mfg. Co.,  M/S 58    || uucp:  {uw-beaver,microsoft}!fluke!foot
PO Box C9090                    ||
Everett, WA  98206              || phone: (206) 356-5446

Alastair_McColl@mindlink.bc.ca (Alastair McColl) (06/06/91)

Hi Andy,
        You could try Bill Downing at Pamap Technologies Corp., Victoria, B.C.,
tel (604)381-3838; fax (604)389-1134. They have produced a GIS (Geographic
Information System) which, among other things takes satellite scans in raster
form and converts them to cad-like maps with attributes for database
manipulations.

        al