Using pictures to create models

christian_29 · June 2015

One of the features I would like to see is the ability to place pictures on a plane and be able to scale and rotate them. This would enable users to quickly recreate actual objects or reference geometry. I've used this technique quite a few times to recreate actual objects for which I know a single dimension to which I want to scale the image. MOI3D lets you do this and it works like a charm.

Here is one example for which I made the model public.

Tall Ship Steering Mechanism
I had 3 pictures of the actual mechanism and knew 2 dimensions. The pitch on the thread of the shaft is 1 in and the shaft diameter is 3.5 in.
Once the picture is placed on a plane and scaled to the correct size I could now trace the actual geometry of the mechanism and its parts.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5022071/uploads/editor/ax/icjkehv59szk.png

Another example is this joy stick for which I took three pictures from front, left and top and added a tape measure to the picture. I then arranged the pictures in each plane and can now trace lines to recreated the part.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5022071/uploads/editor/ic/ktyyelzrbvvv.png

Allow transparency of the images and you have a very quick way to reproduce existing objects or reference geometry.

brucebartlett · June 2015

Yes, I was just about to post a similar discussion. I just had to trace around some parts and want to do it in Onshape but it lacks the tools.

I Needed:

Ability to get a a bitmap picture on to a plane. (
Scale sketch tool. I trace around the part in what ever scale then do a scale on the sketch line to get the part to the right size.
1:1 printout to check against part. (this will come with drawing but be great if you could do it direct from the part studio)

Bruce

brucebartlett · June 2015

Hey @christian_29 love your Tall Ship Steering Mechanism

Great Work, could be MOTW

3dcad · June 2015

brucebartlett said:

..clip..
Scale sketch tool. I trace around the part in what ever scale then do a scale on the sketch line to get the part to the right size.
1:1 printout to check against part. (this will come with drawing but be great if you could do it direct from the part studio)

Bruce

Isn't this built-in feature already? If you sketch whole image and then add one known dimension the rest will scale accordingly.

+1 for using background images in sketch mode, this has been brought up few times; I suppose there is a ticket already. Not a priority addition for me.

_Ðave_ · June 2015

+1 Being able to import the image and having a good raster to vector convertor would work.

Stuart_Tod · June 2015

+1 for importing images and making transparent!

3dexter · June 2015

brucebartlett · June 2015

3dcad said:

brucebartlett said:

..clip..
Scale sketch tool. I trace around the part in what ever scale then do a scale on the sketch line to get the part to the right size.
1:1 printout to check against part. (this will come with drawing but be great if you could do it direct from the part studio)

Bruce

Isn't this built-in feature already? If you sketch whole image and then add one known dimension the rest will scale accordingly.

What I meant was scale a group of lines to a correct sizing after a tracing around the picture to get the general profile shape. I can't find this anywhere to do this easily. All I can do is scale the part after an extrude, which is a good work around but not ideal better to work at the sketch level.

The sketch scale command would also be good for when we can import vectors (.ai, .dxf, etc) on a sketch plane.

3dcad · June 2015

@brucebartlett I must be missing something, if you draw a bunch of lines in shape of say a car and then add dimension to any of those, it will scale all the lines accordingly.
Look at my super nice example, just change the height of trunk and the whole car is scaled:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d29ff8e74a0f49809e533f48/w/48fedb2064cc4f30a27ee6e8/e/1a87e3329b4342e59c33007b

brucebartlett · June 2015

@3dcad yes it works with1 dimension, no need for a scale tool with this. Thats a very nice feature. I will have to see if SW does this as well.

christopher_owens · June 2015

I'll add to this. I now have a PDF file on a floor plan in a tab. I would like to place that floor plan in a Parts Studio so I don't have to jump back and forth to see the dimensions.

Also, if I create the model in 'Feet' and I want to scale that down to fit into a 3D Printer volume... how could I scale the STL? I've run across this when the slicing software used doesn't have a choice for CM (go figure!) and have to have the STL recreated in MM, or am asked what units the 3D model was created in. If I model in 'Feet' and export the STL in 'MM'... would an 80FT wall become an 80MM wall in the STL. Hmmmm...

michael3424 · June 2015

Doesn't your slicer have a setting for scale? Most of them do, with the option for separate scale factors in X, Y, and Z.

3dcad · June 2015

christopher_owens said:

I'll add to this. I now have a PDF file on a floor plan in a tab. I would like to place that floor plan in a Parts Studio so I don't have to jump back and forth to see the dimensions. -clip-

You're working with only 1 screen? I have always plans in other screen and cad in another. But as a workflow to one screen I would open that pdf in another window and use alt+tab keys to quickly jump between (or whatever hotkeys your os supports).

Or use ipad / smart phone for viewing the dimensions..

_2117 · July 2015

I have several vector (line?) drawings that I'd like to trace via the sketch feature in OnShape. The JPGs imported just fine. But, it appears that I can't add the images to the workspace. Please add my vote for this feature. Thank you.

erwin_1 · July 2015

I would like to add my vote too. Ability to work from either pixel- or vector based imported drawings in sketches would be great for me.

imagineered · July 2015

Pretty sure you could do this using Solid Edge 2D (free) & export as a DXF (until Onshape is up & going with drgs that is)

JWP · June 2016

I think this is what your looking for

https://youtu.be/kJzFcOm_8TQ

Using pictures to create models

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