Acer Aspire Go 14 QCad 3.32.2
Hi I have a slight problem preparing images for laser cutting. I have scanned the images to computer as .jpg, I then trace them using Qcad and save as .dxf. When tracing I notice the verticals and horizontals are not always vertical or horizontal. Can I rotae the image in some way to get them properly aligned ?
each image is treated separately and saved as .dxf for use in the laser cutting programme (T2 Laser).
I hope I have explained this correctly.
thanks again
doncraig
make lines perpendicular or horizontal (Solved)
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make lines perpendicular or horizontal (Solved)
Last edited by doncraig on Sun Aug 10, 2025 10:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: make lines perpendicular or horizontal
Yes, as explained earlier.
On inserting an image you can specify a rotation angle.
Once inserted you can alter the rotation when selected in the Property Editor.
Chances are that the required rotation is not a neat value with a limited amount of digits.
Remind here that the Property Editor or Info tools display rounded values.
Modify .. Rotate lets you rotate a selection around a focal point and this can be done based on positions indicated with the cursor.
Instead of entering a value select the arrow besides that field.
Then indicate a reference point and a target point.
This way you can straighten up things if the target point is orthogonal to the focal point.
Another method is Modify .. Align Reference Points (AE) and that could be very accurate.
For a selection aligning 2 known references in the drawing with for example two target points in horizontal or vertical way.
Un-tick the Scale option because this scales the aligned result ... The whole image entity in this case.
Hoping that the thick red lines are manually with a marker on paper or the result of Draw .. Line .. Freehand Line (LF).
Not really the best source for CNC.

There are many other options to trace these shapes.
For example straight lines, matching arcs or Splines.
Typically one side is a mirror of the other.
BTW: Splines originated from making curved shapes in wood like for boat building.
The naming comes from long thin pieces of wood that where put under tension at some points.
These days this art is replaced by a mathematical approach.
Regards,
CVH
Last edited by CVH on Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2025 3:46 pm
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Re: make lines perpendicular or horizontal
Thanks again for the rapid reply. I will have a look through my answers and see what is happening.
doncraig
doncraig