If you already have your designs on computer, it is more than likely that they are useable in our computer cutting systems. You can e-mail them to us for processing.

E-mail your files to sales@adfoam.com.au. 

We can accept many and varied file types from either Apple Macintosh or PC compatible computers.

The file types we take are:

.scv (Scanvec) Used in a Signage program called Casmate.

.eps vector (Encapsulated Post Script) Post Script is actually a language computer printers use. Can contain Vectors and bitmaps.

.ps (Same as .eps)

.cdr (Corel Draw)

.dxf : is mainly from the AutoCAD background.

.hpgl

There are others, but these are the most common. If you have anything different please ring us.
The thing which all of these files have in common is the fact that they are all vector file types.

(Photo#: File-001)

Vector file :

Also Known as a line drawing. This type of image is produced  using coordinate geometry. Coordinate geometry is produced from joining points plotted in the x,y & z axis's. No matter how close you zoom in on this type of drawing the lines will always remain crisp and clean. With this we can tell a machine to follow the line from point to point. Much like the join the dots pictures children like to do.

(Photo#: File-002)

(Photo#: File-003)

Bitmap File :

Sometimes called a raster or pixel image. Imagine a grid. Say 10 x 10 squares. If you coloured in one of the squares in the middle somewhere, you would have effectively coloured in one bit(or pixel) of the map of squares. From here you could colour in many of the squares in the approximate shape of a circle. Now the circle will look very blocky (or pixilated). To make the image of the circle smoother you would use a finer grid of many more smaller squares. This is known as the resolution. The minimum resolution a computer monitor will generally run at is 640 x 480. The problem is that when zooming in on a bitmap the image pixelises into chunky blobs.

A machine tool can follow the coordinates of a Vector image but cannot follow a bitmap. Software is available for converting bitmaps to vectors. If the bitmap is a clean, high resolution image a clean vector trace may be done. But if it is not, then cleaning up of the vector can still be a lengthy procedure. So to reduce the cost to yourself send us the best vector image you can.

Image Cleanup Requirements

(Photo#: File-004)

(Photo#: File-005)

This image was sent to us as an .eps file from Adobe Illustrator on a Macintosh. Imagine using a knife to cut exactly on the lines. The 'C' shape would have cuts through it in several places. To avoid this all shapes must be converted to curves (or lines) and then welded and subtracted to produce clean shapes. ( As seen in the lower image).

Another detail to notice is the single line which goes most of the way around the 'C' shape. In the 'Illustrator' program, this line appeared as a thick line, but when exported it came out as a single line.

To overcome this problem :
1. Convert everything to curves.
2. Set all line thicknesses to as thin as possible.
3. View everything as a wireframe.

Now imagine cutting all the lines on your screen out of cardboard or wood or foam. Ask yourself if you would get the shapes you desire by cutting these lines.