Working with Adobe Illustrator has been quite an experience, allowing me to have a greater degree of precision in engraving layouts. On the right is an example of my very basic practice plate layout that would measure 2"x2". I then print the layout on transparency and can rub that onto a metal plate; this way I don't have to draw over and over on every new plate I want to cut.
The live trace function is also a big help, as i can make a quick sketch and then scan it into the computer click the live trace button and have a vector drawing ready for scaling. I can then smooth out my lines and make them all the same width for a better transfer when i print it.
