gravograph what type of file?

[USMCiluistrator]

I have a problem at work. Someone wants to engrave some of the logos and grpahics I designed with a gravograph engraver. I have given him a tif, jpg, bmp, cdr, and ai file, none of which work for importing and engraving. Does anyone know what type of file I need to give him that the program can read to engrave the graphics I have?

[Satchel]

did you try eps? they are pretty universal... I have no actual idea, but that is what I would try next I guess?!

[USMCiluistrator]

Yeah I tryed an eps also.

I thought possibly it would have something to do with clipping paths, the machine's files save as .gnh. Has anyone ever heard of a gnh?

[Navian]

I would ask him. I looked at the website for the engraver:

http://www.gravograph.com/usa/index.php

It almost looks like a CNC Milling machine. Which required an Autocad file (.dwg) however. I did find this little gem:

Logos and other graphics can be easily imported in file formats such as TIFF, DFX, HPGL and EPS, enabling you to perform quick and precise renderings.

From this: http://www.gravograph.co.uk/Engraving%20Machines/Gravostyle5-Discovery.php]http://www.gravograph.co.uk/Engraving%20Machines/Gravostyle5-Discovery.php

.tiff / .tif = Tagged Image File Format bitmap graphics
.dfx = Drafix file
.hpg* = HPGL plotter file vector graphics (AutoCad - Harvard Graphics)
.eps = Encapsulated PostScript vector graphics (Adobe Illustrator) &
Printer font.

*I have 4 years of AutoCAD experience and 2 years of CAD schooling w/ Associates degree, I've never ever have seen that file extention.

GravoStyle 5 Discovery is the software (for windows), they may have to upgrade if its not very new.

The file formats you listed tif, jpg, bmp, cdr, and ai file I have no idea why the .tif file didnt work. Try an .eps file format. If that doesnt work, maybe call your client and ask what file formats can there software accept.

[Logo-Mechanix]

In order to work with a mechanical engraver the file you send will have to be digitized. The type of file depnds on the programs the engraver has, we do this sort of thing where I work and we use a program called Casmate for our digitizing, I have found that a high resolution tiff, bitmap or an eps works just fine. I usually just export the file as a tiff from either Corel Draw or Illustrator and place it in the digitizing program and give it a fill. The mechanical engraver reads lines, sort of like a sign plotter and in order for the filled areas to be black it has to be filled with a series of lines and the machine will engrave these lines to create a fill. Unless it's laser engraving, that I just do right from Illy or Corel, there is no digitizing involved there, only for mechanical engraving.

[busnut]

I have lost track of how many logos i have made in my store. i have never hand a class in graphic arts and i use cobled together free ware and shareware. and kept trying things till it worked if any one knows an easer way let me know.
usually i take a customer supplied jpeg bmp or pdf file clean it up in paint.net (great freeware) enlarg it to atleast 10in x 10in b&w, reduce it to line drawing, or shaded by selecting all the black and fill it with the light horizontal brush which is 1 pxl line black 3 pxl white then dark. then use a roster to vector type program to convert it to .hgl . gravanograph (m40g) has an import option for hpgl select file view for all file types and import the .hgl file. the program will object lf its the first logo ln that file, but lf you exit gravinograph and restart it can be selected , viewed and engraved just like any other logo or font. note image will cut faster lf all the little lines are joined up as mutch as possible into long strings of zig zags. (lt takes verry time) i do this only when lts a large order and i don't want to wait an hour or more to cut. each one.

does anyone know how to associate a design with letter ?
i've converted ttf fonts lnto logo files but then i have to select then. letter by letter vs just typing like a normal font works.
busnut

[PrintDriver]

Oh my....... :eek:

The operator of the engraver should know how to transfer files. If not, find new engraver.

Not all engravers run from AutoCad. I've run CNC tables that run directly from Signlab. They can be run directly from Illustrator now. Most have software conversion programs that convert on the fly. Some have hardware control boxes that do the converting. Some have to be converted into .tap files using intermediary software before going into the cutter program. It's up to the operator to know his machine.

Our new 3-axis machine also does engraving from .tif files using grayscale conversion. It has to be converted to .tap files though. And we run the program on foam first before committing a big piece of a tree to it.

None of this helps the OP but generalizations are dangerous.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Man, this thread was ressurected from the great beyond. I actually run a gravograph machine at the fulltime. A brand spanking new IS700 with a 12 by 20 table. The machine comes with software but we use a program called flexi to run it. Basically when you are engraving using one of these machines you need to be able to give the image a fill, I don't know all the technical reasons but the machine basically uses a series of lines to engrave a solid image. I know the gravograph machine came with a conversion program and as long as you can export the image as a HPGL you would then send it through the conversion program to the machine.

[PrintDriver]

LOL, I didn't even notice the date.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I figured you had'nt noticed due to the fact tyhere was no wise crackin'.:D