Vectorize to axis

[Gwen35]

Hello, is it possible to change a vectorized outline into an axis plot?

[Monika Gause]

Can you perhaps show a screenshot that illustrates your demand?

What do you want to convert into exactly what? 

[Jacob Bugge]

Gwénolé,

I am afraid there are no native ways in AI other than drawing.

There are also different kinds of axes plots, so Monika asks good questions.

Rather than attaching, please use the Insert Photos button (moon over mountains).

[Egide31179161td05]

Already, thanks you for your answers. I may not very understandable(im french lol). For the contexte : i work in industry, with machine tools. I engrave artwork in aluminium by converting . ai files to .dxf files. So i have to take into account the diameter of my tool. The vector path is the path of my tool.  I must therefore take into accont its diameter, and shift the plot by the value of the radius of my tool. I would like to find an easier way for this. Im not sure i'm very understable, i'm attaching some exemples in pictures.

[Monika Gause]

So what you need is a centerline trace.

It's not possible. Illustrator offers it, but the results really do not work well.

[Gwen35]

Exactly. Arrrff pity. I remember an old version which proposed a "line art" vectorization. But that's no longer possible... thanks anyway.

[Monika Gause]

The option existed. But the result have always been unusable. I have also tried other apps for that and currently it's just not doable. There is not enough intelligence in those apps.

[Gwen35]

I think I'm going to have to trace everything... It's very time-consuming...

[Gwen35]

Ok, thanks anyway. Im going to draw...

[Jacob Bugge]

Gwénolé,

I have been away for (quite) a while, sorry for this (hopefully not too) late answer.

In order to create the paths for the tool at the right distance from the desired edges and get the right cuts, you can:

1) First create the shapes to remain after cutting as closed paths,

2) Then just use Object>Path>Offset Path with the Offset as the radius = half the diameter, using a positive value for cutting outside and a negative value for cutting inside,

3) Then use the (relevant parts of the) offset paths for the plot.

[Jacob Bugge]

Gwénolé,

An afterthought:

If you must, or need to, cut along open paths, you can still use the Offset Path way, but this will give give you an offset path round the origina, so you need to delete the unwanted part, both the end segments and the segments on the unwanted side.

You can do that with the Direct Selection Tool after deselecting the offset path (you can just Click an empty spot).

Then you can direct select the unwanted path segments and/or the Anchor Points, and you can do it by ClickDragging and/or Clicking for each, or by ShiftClickDragging and/or ShiftClicking for more/all in one go.

Unless you delete everything in one go, deselect between each go.