Using Autocad Inventor to Trace a Graphic (Newb)

[Doc]

Hi all,

 

Just to give you some background. I just built a 3D printer, and I'm trying to find the right software to create objects. The overall goal is to scan/take pictures of items, trace over the reliefs, and then extrude them to 3D objects suitable for printing. I thought I'd start easy with a small item, but something that I could use to learn the basics with. (I learn better when I have a purpose, vs. building a widget)

 

I am familiar with graphic apps, like photoshop, etc.. I assumed some of the things would transfer over as an industry standard, but I'm seeing that Autodesk doesn't quite do that.

 

So, I'm reaching out for a little help. Mainly I have questions, but at the bottom of the post I linked the item I'm working on so you can see what I've done so far, and if i'm even on track.

 

So, to start with, I have autocad 2014 inventor pro. I don't know if thats overkill or if it's more than I really need to do what i'm trying to accomplish. It's a 30 day trial, so if i'm wrong.. no worries, I can always get the right one.

 

I imported the picture of the part, and started tracing shapes. Is there a way to do the 2d sketch with multiple layers? It would make better sense to be able to do that, but I don't really see a place to do that.

 

Are there better drawing tools? I can hack my way with lines, splines, simple shapes, etc.. but is there a way to select a point and 'nudge' it with the keyboard? My mouse is great, but I really like the precision of tweaking with the keyboard.

 

I think that is a pretty good start right there, to get me moving in a better direction.

 

Thanks for your help. I don't think you need a microsoft acct to download that, but I posted it to my onedrive.

 

I appreciate anyone's answers and inputs.. and if you know of an industry term that better suits my question that I can use to search for tutorials on, please post. Like I said, I'm really green on this software.

 

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=48C440786310F03B!20850&authkey=!APqH9tkocdPf9iM&ithint=folder%2c.ipt

[Murph_map]

Take a look at this http://www.123dapp.com/catch

[JD Mather]

So, to start with, I have autocad 2014 inventor pro. Is there a way to do the 2d sketch with multiple layers?

 

To start with, Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor are two completely different CAD programs from the company, Autodesk.

It sounds like you simply need to start a New Sketch.

You can have as many sketches as you need.

 

http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/SkillsUSA%20University.pdf

http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com/p/inventor-tutorials.html

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/enu?adskContextId=HELP_TUTORIALS&language=ENU&release=2014&product=Inventor

 

If you are a student or faculty - you can get Autodesk software for free here http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity

[f700es]

Hi all,

 

Just to give you some background. I just built a 3D printer, and I'm trying to find the right software to create objects. The overall goal is to scan/take pictures of items, trace over the reliefs, and then extrude them to 3D objects suitable for printing. I thought I'd start easy with a small item, but something that I could use to learn the basics with. (I learn better when I have a purpose, vs. building a widget)

 

I am familiar with graphic apps, like photoshop, etc.. I assumed some of the things would transfer over as an industry standard, but I'm seeing that Autodesk doesn't quite do that.

 

Well those are 2 different industries, Photoshop and CAD, so each is kind of there own standard.

 

I think that you might need to start with something a little more user friendly instead of Inventor Pro. It will work but it is WAY overboard in what you need. Does your printer use STL files? There are lots of free 3D printer friendly software out there that might better suite your needs.

 

AutoDesk:

123D Design free

TinkerCAD free

 

Pixologic:

Sculptris free

 

Trimble:

SketchUp Make free

With SketchUp you'll need a collada to stl translator.

On a previous project I used Netfabb basic to translate a SU model to STL for 3D printing.

 

Moment of Inspiration

MOI3D is not free but it is a damn fine NURBS modeler and very user friendly.

 

Anyway, good luck and let us know how you get a long

[Patrick Hughes]

Here's another approach. If you are a member of Shapeways they have an "Image Extruder'. From that I believe it will create the .stl or .sat (I'm not sure) which you could then import in for refinement.

[Doc]

Murph,

 

Thanks for the link. I tried all of their tools..None of them let me trace a part.. but it's pretty kewl none the less.

[Doc]

JD,

 

Thanks for the links.. I've got a lot of reading to do it looks like. I was really hoping to find something that I can jump in with 2 feet, and then learn as I go. I'm neither a student or a faculty.. just a budding maker trying to make stuff.

[JD Mather]

This tutorial demonstrates how to "trace" an image in Autodesk Inventor.

http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/content/DSG322/Inventor%20Tutorials/Inventor%202011%20Tutorial%2014.pdf

[Murph_map]

Murph,

 

Thanks for the link. I tried all of their tools..None of them let me trace a part.. but it's pretty kewl none the less.

 

Trace? The program creates the model for you from the images all you need to do is provide the images.

[Doc]

JD,

 

Thanks, that helped out immensely! I was able to finish what I was trying to do. I have the part all done except for one piece. If you look at the extruded feature on the attached picture, I need to draft (? not sure.. but thats the feature it looks like on the tool bar) the top of that to the bottom of the cut out so it is sloped. Should I extend the sketch and then draft it from there, or is there a different way?

 

Also, read one of your posts on exporting to STL. When I exported before, it was very small, but once I went to options when I exported I changed it from cm to mm, that should retain the scale I have on screen, right?

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

[JD Mather]

There is a face draft tool

or

depending on design intent it can have face draft added as part of the Extrude feature.

Attach your file here.

[Doc]

RedoPart2x.ipt

 

If you can let me know how you did it, I have another one to do it to.

 

Thanks