Help creating files for vinyl cutters/plotters .eps's

[kennyb]

Im in need of help to create a stencil file for a vinyl cutter. What i have is a picture of something that i want to trace the lines of so that the plotter cuts them out.

Now thing is i've never really used illustrator before but im a photoshopper for years and years.

How do i trace the image and create the outlines i need????

ANY how to's or tutorials will be more then helpful. Cheers guys

I have cs2

[jayluebs]

It really depends on what the image is like, but you can try live trace. Bring the image into illustrator, select the image, go to object>live trace>tracing options and check the preview box. then start messing with all of the options until you get it to look like how you want. The resolution and how clean the lines are in the image will determine how well illustrator will trace it, so you may have to clean it up a bit afterwards.

[kennyb]

Ok what are the shortcut keys for the pen tool, also how do i perfect two seperate curves to be exactly the same angle and length??

[jayluebs]

The shortcut for the pen tool is 'P'. You can go to edit>keyboard shortcuts and it will tell you the shortcuts for all the tools. You can also hover your mouse over the tool in the toolbar and the shortcut will pop up.
As far as perfecting two seperate curves... that's a tough one depending on what those curves are attached to and what your situation is.... I guess the only thing I could suggest without seeing them is to create the curved line, then copy and paste it and rotate it to suit your needs. Sorry, not much help there.

[kennyb]

Yeah thats gonna be the easiest way i think. What i've done was create the curve and then copy and pasted it like you said and then reflected it so it was an exact opposite. Cool mate cheers