Opinion for file converting software (jpg to dxf)

[cpstang1967]

Just looking for a few opinions on file conversion software. I'm getting a lot of business asking for their logo cut, but I'm still drawing them the old school way and tracing them in draftsite. Is there a free or cheap conversion software that does ok converting a "clean" jpg? Or at least get close to where I can save time on drawing and just do a little clean up?

Not looking to spend $200 on a program right now, but might be worth it for me in the future if I keep getting the orders I have been getting the last few months.

I appreciate everyone's onion, and can't wait to hear some opinions.

Thanks,
Cody

[muzza]

A good one for that sort of conversion and is available as a monthly online subscription for about $8 per month is Vector Magic. http://vectormagic.com/home
It gives you an svg, pdf or eps in the online but also gives you dxf,ai and emf in desktop.
If you like it you can then purchase the desktop version which does a better job and is more customisable.
Murray

[acourtjester]

Inkscape is free will give you DFX and SVG outputs. Many great videos out there to help you learn how to do things.
Both trace and create logo and scenes copied from jpeg.
check here of videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=U ... Yld2w-gYJg

[beefy]

I'd go along with Murray.

Some time ago I was chatting with some graphic designer "heavies". They had Coreldraw, and Adobe Illustrator mainly but said for auto tracing, Vector Magic was their number one choice most of the time, due to ease of use and capability.

I've found it gives "cleaner" files than Coreldraw (X5).

Of course, as has been said many times by many people here, there's always going to be many drawings you just can't auto trace. Well you could, but the time spent making the trace into a usable file is just not worth it so it's better to manually trace.

Keith