How to deboss an image on a surface?

[solidme]

Hi,
I don't know how to deboss an image (.jpg or .pdf file) on a surface in sw05. Please, help.
Thanks.

 

[SBaugh]

You can't deboss an image on a surface, as far as I know.

You can emboss a sketch on a surface though.

Rrgards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[solidme]

Thanks, SBaugh.
But there should be a way... How do you emboss a company logo on a surface? do you create it from the scratch in SolidWorks?

Thanks.

 

[ctopher]

Some 3rd party software will let you take an image, raster, then save as DXF. Then import into SW. I don't know the name, but have seen it before.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[PDMAdmin]

Typically what we end up doing is define a general area (such as a rectangle) where the logo will go, then we supply the vendor with artwork and specs for embossing/debossing the logo. We have never had a problem doing it that way, plus it avoids unnecessarily large file sizes caused by graphically intensive features.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Check out the Picture Converter in the SolidWorks Tools section of

http://www.baren-boym.com/

Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Cheaper & free alternatives can be found at

http://wintopo.com/

The free version takes a bit more work, but is quite useable.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[SBaugh]

I create a logo with sketches and extrude it.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[afb66t9]

ArtCAM Pro is another option (Delcam Product used for detailed embossing and jewellery design).

I usually trace around an image I insert into a sketch (previously mentioned).

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

It depends on how complex the logo is, and what quality you are looking for.
As Scott stated, logos can be created with a sketch. If it is fairly simple to mildly complex, importing the image & tracing over may be the best way to go. If it is complex to very complex, some kind of bitmap to vector tracing programme would be helpful. It also depends on your skill level, patience and the quality required.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[TheTick]

Hijaak Pro does raster-vector conversion. The program does not cost much, and does sooooo many useful conversions.

Also, AutoCAD has a decent raster-vector tool.

If you can, go to the graphics design department that controls the logo. If the artwork is in adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw, it can be exported to DXF. Make sure only curve entities are exported, or SW may not accept the DXF entities.

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[Theophilus]

Or, with SW 2006 use straight Illustrator files.

I always trace logos, myself, since bitmaps are often scans or photos or other degraded images--in tracing, I can correct aberrations and form a crisp, clean logo. Almost every time, the text (if any) must be recreated with splines/segments instead of any sort of text.




Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[rfus]

To deboss a closed vector sketch is no problem; you can do this easily in SW.

If your wondering about real Real Bitmap engraving or 'bass relief', it converts your image into polygons based on the 8, 16, or 24 bit pixel values and gradients in the image. You can then use these polygons in boolean ops in combination with your surface, which must be a polygon file as well. Solidworks is not ideal for this, seeing as it is a parametric modeler and not a polygon modeler.

Doing this with a five axis cnc router it comes down more to positioning the engraving in relation to the surface you want to engrave, and then staying normal to the surface, while developing your toolpath based on the polygon engraving surface with position correctly in or G54 reference sysstem. Much easier than combining the two. You'll need a CAM package that can use polygons

rfus

 

[solidme]

I ended up convertng the jpeg to dxf, imported it into SW, redrew it with spline! And then I was able to deboss it on a surface.

Thank you all for your inputs, it helped a lot.