Introduction: @TechShopMP: From JPG to 3D Print
Recently I have been finding that I am doing things in Autodesk Inventor that would be easier for me to do in other tools or that I am recreating something that already exists. This is how to take something from an image file to Autodesk Inventor. Then you can send it to your desired CNC device. I am using the 3D Printer.
Step 1: Import Image to Corel Draw
First we will import the file into Corel Draw. I chose a simple 2 color file to get the best result
Choose the Bitmaps menu and then Resample the image and pump up the pixels. I changed it to 600 to get more accuracy out of my image after we transform it
I went back to the Bitmaps menu and changed the image to black and white to get nice solid lines
Click Trace Bitmap and then Quick Trace, now that we are converting the bitmap to vectors we need to Reduce bitmap
I chose line Art for conversion method because it gave the sharpest result
Now I can Export my image as a DXF to open in Autodesk Inventor
Choose the Bitmaps menu and then Resample the image and pump up the pixels. I changed it to 600 to get more accuracy out of my image after we transform it
I went back to the Bitmaps menu and changed the image to black and white to get nice solid lines
Click Trace Bitmap and then Quick Trace, now that we are converting the bitmap to vectors we need to Reduce bitmap
I chose line Art for conversion method because it gave the sharpest result
Now I can Export my image as a DXF to open in Autodesk Inventor
Step 2: Import the DXF to Inventor
Create a new part in Inventor and then Create a 2D Sketch (remember that in inventor the positive Z is toward the front but when printing it will be the top)
Click the ACAD button to import the AutoCAD drawing
Be sure to select all layers and click Next
Under Import Destination Options be sure to click AutoCAD blocks to Inventor blocks
Now we can finish the sketch and then extrude the drawing
Export this as an STL file (for best results under options choose Units = mm)
Click the ACAD button to import the AutoCAD drawing
Be sure to select all layers and click Next
Under Import Destination Options be sure to click AutoCAD blocks to Inventor blocks
Now we can finish the sketch and then extrude the drawing
Export this as an STL file (for best results under options choose Units = mm)
Step 3: Generate G-code With Replicator G or Makerware
Open your STL file in Replicator G, check to be sure it is the size you want and then generate your gcode
If you have your computer connected to your printer you can just print from here.
If you have your computer connected to your printer you can just print from here.