Illustrator - Simplify

[Stephen A]

Hey guys & gals,

I have a vector path which is one giant spline in Illustrator - all curves. It needs to be either arcs or straight lines to generate a gcode path for the laser cutter here @ work.

I figured the easiest way to do this was with the simplify tool in Illustrator - but it's too simplistic, it doesn't generate enough straight lines. Anyone know how to convert a vector path into very accurate straight lines?

[pixelzombie]

what do you mean by spline?..isn't an arc just part of a curve?

[Stephen A]

A arc is a portion of a circle - where a curve can be any sort of bendy-line. The laser software that plots the laser's path (gcode) can't handle any sort of curvy line, aside from arcs & lines...

So I have to either convert my very curvy design into either arcs & lines or a lot of really really small lines.

Illustrator will convert it to lines... but it's not a lot - which leaves it looking terrible. I need something or someway to do what I want.

[pixelzombie]

maybe this might work:

http://www.okino.com/conv/imp_ai.htm