Convert Image Edges to Cut Path
This tutorial will walk you through converting the edges in an image into vector paths which you can then cut. We use a free Photoshop type program called Gimp to do this. You can accomplish the same process with other software in much the same way.
Procedure
1. Begin by importing you image into Gimp and get your image down to solid colors. The boundaries will be the cut path.
2. Select "By Color" from the "Select" menu on the top bar. This allows you to select all of the edges that surround the one color you select.
3. Click on the color of which you want the border to be cut out.
4. Select the paths tool from the tool bar on the left.
5. Right click on the image and choose [Select > To Path]
6. Right Click on the selection located in the right toolbox in the "Paths" tab. Select “Export Path”
7. Enter in a file name followed by “.svg” to save the path in a format compatible with WAM.
8. You can now import the file into WAM to generate the cut file.
Tips:
- This method should work in other programs. The names of the tools will be different but the basic process should work.
- By manipulating your image to have unbroken blocks of color before starting this you can get a cleaner path.
