As SolidWorks users, sometimes we have to create a 3D part from a sketch provided by a creative professional, such as an industrial designer. Quickly adjusting the images in Adobe Photoshop can provide more accurate results when the images are used as modelling aids in SolidWorks.
Remote Control Sketched Elevations
The above images are used in the SolidWorks Surfacing Class offered by Javelin Technologies. They are representative of a hand drawn sketch made by an Industrial Designer. In discussions with the designer, we have determined that the remote is symmetrical and the top silhouette edge in the side view is supposed to be horizontal.
In Adobe® Photoshop®, the first thing I do is use the rectangular marquee to draw a box around the edges of the remote. I then use the crop tool (Image > Crop) to shrink the image to the edges of the remote. This will help in sizing the sketch in SolidWorks, as I can simply enter a numeric size for the image, versus resizing the image until it fits a line in a sketch.
Applying a Marquee in Photoshop
Next, using the Free Transform tool, I will distort the image to adjust the top silhouette edge as flat.
Adjust the image with the Free Transform Tool
I drag the top control point to distort the image, and then confirm the transform operation.
Image Adjusted
Then, I use the Hue/Saturation command (Ctrl-U) to completely de-saturate the image, turning it to true black and white.
Adjusting the Hue/Saturation of the image
Next using the Levels command (Ctrl-L), I will adjust the black/grey/white balance in the image to bring out the outlines of the product.
Adjusting the image levels
Here is the final Image.
Completed image
After creating a new part in SolidWorks, I will create a new sketch on the right plane. To place the image, use a Sketch Picture. (Tools > Sketch Tools > Sketch Picture). To set the size of the image, I only need to edit fields in the Sketch Picture Tree, instead of manually resizing and dragging. I’ve also aligned the parting line on the origin.
Image imported into a SolidWorks sketch
These techniques are also useful when reverse engineering parts. The image below is an example of a plastic remote control I reversed engineered.
Remote Control
To model the curves of the remote, I used a camera to take a picture, and used the Photoshop Distort Tool to align for any slight distortion caused by the camera lens. I can now import my sketch to begin modelling.
Photo adjusted in Adobe Photoshop
Related posts tagged with: pictures, sketch picture, surface, Surfaces
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Another technique is you can import your image into corel draw (excellent software).
Create a separate layer and draw your vector lines (to scale, front, side, top views)
Export Dxf and import into solidworks.
For reverse engineering, I used to chop up plastic products. Then Scan them on a flat-bed scanner!!
Good 1:1 reproduction, and edges are near photo quality. Just make sure there is not too much direct sunlight, or chuck a cloth over the parts.
I find a duffle coat works well. And of course you can do this without slicing the parts up also. Just lay em on there, and hit ‘scan’ for 1:1 reproduction.
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