Need software solution to turn photographs of 2D shapes into .dxf/.dwg.

[Question Boy]

I'm using Solidworks at work to make 3D models/drawings for typical machine shop use, but they're asking me to do something new: I need to take physical 2D patterns and create Solidworks drawings for them, they're like sewing patterns, so doesn't require close tolerance. But, there are a lot of them, so I need to be more efficient than I can be by measuring out each one with a ruler. I started to googling for software that can import a picture and kick out a .dxf, and I'm getting lost in the options.

Anyone already gone through something similar? It's a big enough job to justify buying software as long as it's not crazy expensive.

QB

 

[jhov]

Depending on the complexity of the photos/patterns and the tolerances you could use something like Inkscape to auto trace them into SVG's then convert to DXF.

Inkscape tutorial: Tracing bitmaps | Inkscape

inkscape.org

 

[604Pook]

My buddy does it for me using Adobe illustrator some how. I have the program too, but have never had the time to learn it.

I usually have some clean up to do once I pull it into Solidworks. Another option I have done as well, is if you have Adobe Illustrator, and also Solidworks, you can open .ai files in Solidworks, and use it for tracing things.

 

[David_M]

I use Vector Magic to do something very similar to what you described.

 

[snowman]

I used to just take a photograph of them with a scaled ruler then trace the lines in autocad. I never found that the convert to dxf programs available did it in such a way that they made closed lines that the laser or plasma understood. It was faster to just trace.

Expect some parallax distortion. It doesn't work for amazing precision. I'd usually use a combiation of it, and hand measuring.

 

[EmanuelGoldstein]

I need to take physical 2D patterns and create Solidworks drawings for them,

Anyone already gone through something similar? It's a big enough job to justify buying software as long as it's not crazy expensive.

Almost any graphics program can do this, I think even Mastercam and definitely Illustrator, CorelDraw, and even Inkscape (if you can keep it from crashing). But it sounds like your problem is, you need to do a lot of them and would rather not have to do each on by hand?

Got a good computer guy handy ? Ras2vec will convert from bitmaps to something you can deal with, I'm thinking GraphicsMagic will allow you to automate batch processing of a bunch of photos, and the guy who maintains it is super helpful. More upfront trouble but setting up to do automatically might be worth the hassle ?

And as snowman says, you're probably going to have to run the dxf's through a repair program at the end, too. Or do it by hand

 

[bigjon61]

I use Convertio to do online images, I don't see why it wouldn't work with your pictures. Import and then scale to your pattern.

 

[memphisjed]

illustrator. It has a technical drawing trace setting that works well.
bad is adobe is subscription only for illustrator now. If you can find an old copy hold it dear.

 

[SteveEx30]

Free APP called dxf camera

I've used it to copy logos for my vinyl cutter.

 

[Volitan]

I don't have a recommendation better than what's been posted but wanted to point out that getting a program like Gimp (free) or photoshop and learning to sharpen or soften the image as needed will be a big help. It will help get rid of extraneous stuff when you import it.

Haven't read the whole thing but this looks like a good tutorial:

How to Vector an Existing Image (2021)

Vector graphics are used in logos, illustrations, as well as images. Although this may not be apparent to people who don’t work with photo editing, vector images play an essential role in website design, graphic design, and commercial marketing.

www.alphr.com

 

[Marvel]

I do it in Adobe Illustrator, I can take any image, create outlines and export as a DXF, and am able to open in SolidWorks.

 

[car2]

I use CorelDraw (an old version) for things like that; it's great at working with and coverting image and vector files, and is not a "graphic illustration program" (which I don't need), but will do a lot of graphics functions also. It just works very well for what it is designed for. It has various "trace" functions for images.

That being said, you will get much better results if you can scan the patterns first, versus taking pictures of them, even if you have to scan in pieces and stitch together. I have an 11x17 scanner, and you could probably find a large format scanner at any print shop where they'd do that for cheap (and may even have ready-made software to do exactly what you're trying to do). Cheers.

 

[Doug]

I use Cutting Shop from Arbor Image. Used to be around $300+. Produces nice dxf's with arcs, lines. It's the best I could find in raster to vector software. It doesn't output dxf's with billions of short line segments like graphic software typically does. In graphics where objects are printed it doesn't really matter if a circle is represented by a thousand short line segments.

I started using it way back in the day when my machines had very little memory.

No matter what raster to vector software you use it'll need some cleanup, editing. Line crossings seem to be the main cleanup needed.

 

[Dan from Oakland]

Solidowrks has a sketch tool called sketchpicture. I recall its on the sketch tool menu. There are several good tutorials on youtube showing how to use it.

 

[DanielG]

I've done some of these. I've never had great luck with the automated raster to vector tools. I just import them into SW as a sketch picture and trace things with splines. You can also tweak the outline to match measured dimensions.

If the pattern is small enough, a flatbed scanner is going to give you a less distorted image than a photo.

 

[Dan B]

Have you seen this? I have it as part of my RhinoCAM installation, but I've never had the need to use it. Maybe it's worth looking at for your needs.

RhinoART | MecSoft's module for Artistic Modeling | MecSoft Corporation

RhinoART is a RhinoCAM module from MecSoft is used to convert artwork into geometry suitable for machining.

mecsoft.com

 

[EmanuelGoldstein]

Came across another one, never used it but Turbocad is an established company, almost all scanners nowadays will scan to pdf, this is $200

PDF2CAD PC v12

IMSI Design is a leader in affordable, general-purpose 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) and home design desktop software, and a pioneer in mobile solutions for the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, and Construction) industry.

www.imsidesign.com