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chazman88
Joined: 15 Nov 2004
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 2:05 pm Post subject: Create 3D image from 2d Design |
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Hi,
Im very new here so i am very sorry if i put this is the wrong forum.
I have lots of 2D mechanical Drawings and i wanted toi know if it is possible to scan the drawings into my computer and then get an output of the item as a 3D image. is this possible, and if so how do i do it??
Thanks
Chaz |
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F700ES
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 113
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Create 3D image from 2d Design |
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| chazman88 wrote: | Hi,
Im very new here so i am very sorry if i put this is the wrong forum.
I have lots of 2D mechanical Drawings and i wanted toi know if it is possible to scan the drawings into my computer and then get an output of the item as a 3D image. is this possible, and if so how do i do it??
Thanks
Chaz |
To be honest no. You will most likely need to model them with some type of 3D/CAD/CAM application. What type of out put are you talking about? A 3D image on screen or a actual, physical model? |
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chazman88
Joined: 15 Nov 2004
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:42 am Post subject: |
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| i would like to be able to get a 3d image of it on the screen. i found a program called scan2cad and within that i can scan the image and then convert it into a .dfx file. i think this can then be imported into a CAD/CAM program like AutoCAD. but after i have this file i don't kno what to do with it. |
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F700ES
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 113
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 7:07 am Post subject: |
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| chazman88 wrote: | | i would like to be able to get a 3d image of it on the screen. i found a program called scan2cad and within that i can scan the image and then convert it into a .dfx file. i think this can then be imported into a CAD/CAM program like AutoCAD. but after i have this file i don't kno what to do with it. |
Yes, there are raster to vector conversion software but I have found them to be hit or miss at best. Corel Draw offers one that does not cost a lot. Might be worth a try. I got an older OEM version of Draw 8 for $15 and it has a OCR-Trace application in it. I think the best way would to be to just redraw it in a CAD application. With the scan to cad software you still have a bit of clean up work to do. Here lies the tricky part, learning a CAD/CAM program. There are a lot out there. Some are easier than others. Some are cheap and some are expensive. You mentioned AutoCAD, a good middle of the road choice. Sure plain AutoCAD can do 3D machine parts but AutoCAD Mechanical or Inventor would be better. These are expensive but have the largest user base and plenty of support. Another choice would be Rhino 3D. It is a great 3D application. It also costs about 1/3 of plain AutoCAD. Ashlar-Vellum has good 2d/3d applications as well. They also offer both PC and Mac versions (if you need it). They are a little pricy but offer good applications. There is vectorworks also (cross platform too). Too many to really list. There are also some free one out there. SourceForge would be a good place to look at these. Some are OK but most need work  Do you have an example? |
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John Cruet
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 284
Location: Guilford, CT
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| Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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VectorWorks has a function that converts bitmaps to CAD. When one scans a drawing it comes out as a "bitmap" object; it must then be converted to CAD prior to its then further being converted to 3D.
The "Trace Bitmap" command in VW serves this function. So far, it is spotty at best, as it appears to convert bitmaps into lots of segments unless the linework on the bitmap is perfectly straight.
As F7 indicated, one may be better off just tracing the bitmap directly in 2d then using tools to project it into 3D.
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John Cruet
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www.johncruet.com |
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F700ES
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 113
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| John Cruet wrote: | VectorWorks has a function that converts bitmaps to CAD. When one scans a drawing it comes out as a "bitmap" object; it must then be converted to CAD prior to its then further being converted to 3D.
The "Trace Bitmap" command in VW serves this function. So far, it is spotty at best, as it appears to convert bitmaps into lots of segments unless the linework on the bitmap is perfectly straight.
As F7 indicated, one may be better off just tracing the bitmap directly in 2d then using tools to project it into 3D. |
Hey JC, yeah I have tried several raster-to-vector apps and so far none have done what they promised, atleast to my expectations. Maybe one day |
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