The Scanner program

The scanner program.

Using the scanner program, pixel images are vectorise, which have been digitalised or loaded in PCX, TIFF or BMP format using a normal commercial scanner. Be aware that the tasks with the scanner, are subject to certain limits. Templates should be clean and black/white (b/w), i.e. all circular contours are to be identifiable. Copied  templates often degrade the quality (copying equipment can blur the circular contours). Good results can be achieved with templates with ca. 3 to  5 times enlargement. Here, as a rule, reworking is not necessary.

A vectorised image can be matched, edited, supplemented by drawings, hatched or cleared in the CAD using many ancillary tools. The thus created graphic data can be further processed in other modules or saved in many formats.

Load Pixel file.

Input a monochrome PCX, TIFF or BMP file. Grey shades or colour images are not suitable here and only generate an error message.

Edit Pixel.

To set or delete individual pixels. For this the cursor is moved on to the point to be processed. The image point is set using   and deleted using . The successful setting/deleting process is indicated acoustically. The input is abandoned  (ending of Pixel editing).

• using  or  outside the image or
• using  or
• using .

Set in the rectangle / delete in the rectangle.

The area of the image to be framed by a rectangle is set/deleted. For this the input of two end points  of the rectangle are expected. The input can be abandoned using  .

Border search.

The borders of the dark fields in the pixel image are searched for and saved in the ActLayer as closed vectorised contours.

Scan settings:

Scan image Resolution [dpi]:	Grid resolution of the scanned image in dpi.
Type of path (Vectorisation process):	0: Mainly arcs Calculation of smooth runs (arcs) create high quality with graphics with large fields and  curves – is less suitable for very small characters (lettering). Approximation: Approximate contour [1..200] } 1 = no approx. .. 200 = strongest approximation (smoothing). Approx. limitation: Limit approximation for small contours  (formmore accurately) [1..10].  1 = small limitation .. 10 = accurate limitation. Corner filter: Corner filter [1..10]. 1 = only few corners found .. 10 = many corners are found Point Reduction: Point reduction [1..10]. 1 = coarse data .. 10 fine data for border search. 1: Fine lines +arcs (without corner determination, with approximation, with interpolation). 2: Lines, corners, arcs (with corner determination, with approximation, with interpolation). 3: Lines + corners (with corner determination, with approximation, without interpolation). 4: Coarse lines, corners (with corner determination, with approximation, without interpolation).
Smooth:	With YES a smoothing takes place using arc interpolation. Not used for path type = 0. For setting select or .
Quality level:	Setting parameter for the vectorisation accuracy. 0=very high .. 4=small vector resolution. For setting select or .

b/w template.	Contours in  mainly arcs.	Contours in  lines, corners, arcs.

b/w – Scanner template.

Open a monochrome PCX, TIFF or BMP file using Load Pixel file. Grey shades or colour images are not suitable here and generate an error message.

Settings for the border search.	The most universal and most frequently used setting for border search is the track type mainly arcs. Other settings are sensible for a few special cases only.
Settings for the approximation.	Leave the settings for the border search using  mainly arcs at the standard values (comp. graphic).

Result of the border search.

Following acknowledgement of the inputs the borders (closed contours around the black areas) are calculated and saved in the ActLayer.

Finished!