SketchUp to Xtreme

**jclements** · 16 November 2006, 01:58 PM

Utler:

Export the paperclip from SU as a PNG at a high resolution (say 2000 Pix), and do not antialias.

Attach it to a posting in this thread.

1. Now I want you to open it in Xara and see if you can use its drawing tools to draw around the paperclip glyphs (do a search in the forum on 'tracing' or 'logos' to see menthods of how this is done .... or someone here may post some links to threads).

2. In the meantime I will download your new PNG and trace it as well and repost a Xar file that you can use. I will try to include some instructions as to how I did the tracing.

In the future, if you have a more involved image you want converted, you can post a PDF file here I will try to convert it to CMX /xar format for you so you can see the process ... if I have the time.

In the meantime you may want to go to Ebay or whatever and see if you can pick up a cheap copy of CorelDRAW (l think version 10 or 11 can import PDF) or an older copy of Illustrator. It should not cost much at all and then you would have software that can deal with importing/exporting a variety of 2D vector formats.

Sound like a deal?

**utiler** · 16 November 2006, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by Availor

Sorry, I don't see no paper clip. It's a nice idea (the paper clip) but the logo doesn't show it.

Availor,
That's the idea..... it's abstract; otherwise I would have taken a photo of one.....
Explaination: a paper-clip has two ends which are adjacent to each other as you look at it; thus the two white elements of the same height. The 'blub' is the u-shape of the clip; and the most important part of it.......thus the color difference.

Joe, I'm glad you see the reference.

**utiler** · 16 November 2006, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by ankhor

yep I was thinking part of a pen,

I like the way this guy thinks.........good job!!!

**pauland** · 16 November 2006, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by utiler

Availor,
That's the idea..... it's abstract; otherwise I would have taken a photo of one.....
Explaination: a paper-clip has two ends which are adjacent to each other as you look at it; thus the two white elements of the same height. The 'blub' is the u-shape of the clip; and the most important part of it.......thus the color difference.

Joe, I'm glad you see the reference.

Err.. yeah, right.. ;-)

**utiler** · 16 November 2006, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by jclements

Utler:

Export the paperclip from SU as a PNG at a high resolution (say 2000 Pix), and do not antialias.

Attach it to a posting in this thread.

1. Now I want you to open it in Xara and see if you can use its drawing tools to draw around the paperclip glyphs (do a search in the forum on 'tracing' or 'logos' to see menthods of how this is done .... or someone here may post some links to threads).

2. In the meantime I will download your new PNG and trace it as well and repost a Xar file that you can use. I will try to include some instructions as to how I did the tracing.

In the future, if you have a more involved image you want converted, you can post a PDF file here I will try to convert it to CMX /xar format for you so you can see the process ... if I have the time.

In the meantime you may want to go to Ebay or whatever and see if you can pick up a cheap copy of CorelDRAW (l think version 10 or 11 can import PDF) or an older copy of Illustrator. It should not cost much at all and then you would have software that can deal with importing/exporting a variety of 2D vector formats.

Sound like a deal?

Thanks a lot, much appreciated.pardon my ignorance but is there a website that will explain the uses, industries and benefits of:
Coreldraw
Illustrator
Indesign
CS2
PhotoPlus
Elements 4
GIMP
Paintshop Pro.....

As i mentioned I am not in grapgic design so these programs are all foreign to me.... I am however very interested in how communicate my presentations.....

Thanks to you all.

EDITED by EGG: Attachment resized. Utiler, I hope you don't mind my reducing your image size down but we try to keep to approx 600 pixel width images otherwise some visitors need to start horizontaly scrolling to read the accompanying post. Egg

**jclements** · 17 November 2006, 06:50 AM

Here is the Xara tracing. Copy the group at the bottom of the page and paste in into your Xara file that has the text. You will have to rotate it to the angle used in SketchUp and then scale it down (see the help file or look at the movies on Scaling and rotating using the InfoBar).

I put things on layers so open the layer gallery to see where things are at.

That's all I have time for now.

John

**utiler** · 19 November 2006, 11:53 PM

Thanks so much for your help John, much appreciated.

A

**utiler** · 14 December 2006, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by pauland

Err.. yeah, right.. ;-)

Err.. yeah, ditto..

**pauland** · 14 December 2006, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by utiler

Err.. yeah, ditto..

Fair enough!

It's an interesting image but I suspect that 99% of the population would not associate it with a paperclip or pen.

..then again, maybe 99% would and I'm the 1% that doesn't?

Paul

**utiler** · 14 December 2006, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by pauland

Fair enough!

It's an interesting image but I suspect that 99% of the population would not associate it with a paperclip or pen.

..then again, maybe 99% would and I'm the 1% that doesn't?

Paul

I don't think there is an easier way to explain it......
By the way if i wanted 99% of the pop to associate it with a paperclip i wouild have taken a photo of a paper clip......LOL

Merry Christmas!!!

Andrew