In my efforts to transpose the TIFF image format of a Microfiche image of a hand drafted blue print of the P-51 scoop and related drawings.

As you might imagine, just dealing with the grainy images is in itself somewhat difficult but trying to translate it into a CAD drawing is even more daunting.

SOLUTION:

I scratched up a software program yesterday that will allow me to do the following.

·         Import a graphic file.

·         Determine the scale (pixels to inch)

·         Select a start point (lower left corner of my converted image)

·         Allow me to trace the drawing and convert it to a CAD script using mouse clicks to define points of the drawing.

It’s more of a prototype at the moment but I can make it into a deployable application once I make a few enhancements. I tested it on three of the images yesterday and totally blew through the process creating scripts for the radiator exhaust door, oil cooler exhaust door, front profile of the scoop (oil cooler forward) and all the associated bulkhead drawings in a couple hours.

The end result is I can scale the scoop drawings at roughly 61% and have a full size drawing to use as templates, etc. for my application. I plan of plotting these out full size this weekend and start on the actual fabrication of the scoop & diffuser.