Craft Edge

Is it possible to convert a DS file to a svg? Where can I find a tutorial? Thanks

DS files are .cut files.

You can not convert .cut to .scut or .svg directly.

One way around it would be to "cut" the .cut file with the markers, then scan it, and trace the image in inkscape or SCAL.

Here is another way-
in ds change your preview color to black, open a new page click preview. Now do a print screen. I then just paste that image into paint, select the portion I want, open it on a new page so it is the only object visible, copy, open inkscape and paste. Then just do trace bitmap. You could also save it in paint and open it in scal 2 to trace it.

I do the same as dlh with any image...

Wow! That works really great - but is there a way to get the extra cut lines within the outline?

If you bring your print screen image into Inkscape or save the image to your desktop and bring it into scal and hit trace image you will get all the extra lines you want...

So when I do that, I have to change the preview color first - because when it's black, I can't see any of the lines. So I changed to a lighter color, but when I trace image in SCAL2, I still just see the outlines. Here's an example of a pineapple drink image from the Life's a Beach Cartridge - when I bring it into SCAL2, it just looks like the outline of the image, I don't get the orange slice marks or the pineapple markings or the umbrella texture. I tried playing with the settings, but it doesn't seem to get any better. Am I doing something wrong, or are some images just easier than others?

You can do it in inkscape using the color scan trace method.
Check out Dan99 tutorial http://dan99.blogspot.com/2009/01/video ... ecing.html
Hope this helps

If you are using that image to trace, it is too low of quality. Open it in a program where you can fill the whole screen with it. You will see the pixels and how the lines are various shades of gray rather than all dark. You need to start with a higher res image...try to increase the size of the image before the screenshot. If you have a better image, you won't have any problems tracing in SCAL or Inkscape if you change the trace settings. A trace will trace both sides of each line though. Fine for paper piecings, but not if you want just the shape.

lshx1 wrote: So I changed to a lighter color, but when I trace image in SCAL2, I still just see the outlines.

That is all you should see with a trace like this. If you get a good enough image, you might want to try the paint bucket tool to fill the shape and avoid double lines if you aren't going to make a paper piecing.

Boy, I have been trying all morning. I'm getting better. It's not perfect, but I'm learning a lot from you guys. Thanks!