Scan2CAD raster to vector eNewsletter - February 2004

"Most of the progress that's been made in human history has been by people who did not accept that something was impossible." - Bill O'Hanlon.

What's in this Newsletter

Scan2CAD v7.1 now available

We've released an updated version of Scan2CAD, v7.1. This adds a new feature, templates, to Scan2CAD v7.

Templates let you define irregular polygonal and rectangular areas on a raster image. When you vectorize the image, Scan2CAD only vectorizes inside or outside the areas you have defined. You can save the templates for future re-use.

For more information about templates click here.

If you are a registered user of Scan2CAD v7, you can upgrade to v7.1 free of charge - click here for more information.

If you are a registered user of Scan2CAD v6.1 or earlier, you can upgrade to v7.1 at the upgrade price - click here for more information.

Thumbs up for Scan2CAD!

We received another nice quote for Scan2CAD last week, as follows -

"Scan2CAD v7 Pro is very impressive, producing outstanding results from the many scanned images converted so far. It compares very well to other packages I’ve looked at, some costing up to 3000 pounds". (Approx. 5600 US dollars.)

    Carl Pickering,
    Document Technician,
    Preston City Council, UK.

Scan2CAD also got another great review, this time in the Spring 2004 issue of The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Practice Information. Here's an extract:

"One of the most useful and impressive programs I have used in recent years is Scan2CAD. Version 7 features a significant improvement in vectorization quality..... the recognition of more drawing elements extends the overall quality. Dashed line support is particularly useful. Similarly the recognition of lined hatches with the ability to set Angle Optimization on so all lines in the hatch pattern have the same angle.

"Softcover International claims that their own tests of rival programs indicate that Scan2CAD is as good as the best program they have identified, a very expensive German program. I think they may well be right. With v7 Softcover International have made a big leap forward in terms of vector quality. All in all, Scan2CAD v7 is a significant improvement on the previous version and offers excellent value for money".
    Dakers C M Fleming DA FRIAS RIBA FRSA
    Architect
    Partners in Planning Architecture Design, UK.

Thanks Carl and Dakers!

Outlining TrueType fonts

Scan2CAD v7 includes a feature where you can type text characters in any TrueType font and these characters are converted to 100% accurate vector outlines.

We recently had a support query where a DXF file containing these outlines would not read correctly into a customer's plasma cutter.

TrueType fonts are made up of lines and Bezier curves. We suggested that maybe the plasma cutter did not support Bezier curves and that the customer should try exporting the Bezier curves as polylines or arcs. This resolved the problem.

"Many thanks for the great advice. The polylines export option did the trick. Your rapid response to problems/questions and credible suggestions are unmatched when compared to other software firms we've dealt with. Thanks for the high standard of service".
    Paul Michor,
    Account Executive (Custom Metal Fabrication),
    Hooper Corporation, USA.

Thanks Paul!

We do try to answer support queries as quickly and comprehensively as possible so please email us if you have a question or problem about any aspect of Scan2CAD. Our support is free.

Scan2CAD licensing - how it works

Our licensing agreement states that you can install Scan2CAD on two PCs provided that you only run it on one PC at a time. The idea is to allow you to install it on one PC at work and another at home or on a laptop. We have no problem with you doing this.

However, if you install Scan2CAD on more than two PCs at a time or use it on more than one PC at a time we do expect you to purchase an additional copy or copies. You will get a substantial discount on purchases of two or more copies.

South African distributor appointed

We're proud to announce the appointment of Knowledge Base, South Africa's leading CAD and civil engineering software developer and supplier, as exclusive Southern African distributor of Scan2CAD.

Steve Hannath, our marketing director, says "Knowledge Base's products, AllyCAD and Civil Designer, are industry standards in Southern Africa and increasingly popular in a growing number of countries. Knowledge Base gives Scan2CAD excellent penetration into African professional CAD markets and local government. We believe that Scan2CAD's unrivalled price and performance benefits will give African nations a cost effective advantage in raster to vector conversion and bring forward the African renaissance we hope for."

Knowledge Base's web site is http://www.knowbase.co.za.

Quick tip

If you are vectorizing a curvey image, try using the default Contour Map settings. These are suitable for any line drawing with a lot of curves.

If the resulting vectors don't fit the curves tightly enough, try decreasing the Deviation Factor (in Type > Settings).

And finally ...

"To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be."