Convert Image For Sheet Metal Etching/DXF Export

How to import an image/logo as a raster image, convert to vector and use it as split faces in a sheet metal part in Autodesk Inventor for profile in DXF output.

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[NathanKirton]

It's like you know what I'm working with and what I need help with an you made the videos!

Thanks!

[BrianLeeWho]

Your “Image Trace” dropdown is a set of presets that is basically a starting point for your trace. I generally select whatever preset I think best matches the image I am working with. If I don’t like the results, I can pick another preset and see what I get from that one. If none of the presets are giving me the results I am after, there is an Image Trace Panel that can be opened to further modify your trace. This panel can be accessed after you have applied one of the presets to your image. So after you have applied a preset to the image, your menu bar has the Expand button, and next (to the left) is a View dropdown, and to the left of that is a little square icon. If you hold your mouse cursor over this icon/button, the words “Image Trace Panel” will appear. Click on it and the panel will open. Generally, when you first open the panel the “Advanced” section is closed. Make sure you open this part because that’s where you really have the greatest control over the trace results.

I’m not going to explain what each of the controls does because this would get way too long. But I think just playing with some of the various controls will give you a general idea of what they modify. Just make one modification at a time, let the program retrace the image, see what happens, make another change, etc.

So OK, you’ve spent a good deal of your time changing the various controls in this panel and you have the results that you like. But you have several other images that you want to trace as well and how do you remember all the changes you just made to this first image? Not a problem, once you start modifying any of the controls in this panel, the Preset (top dropdown on the panel) changes to “Custom”. To the right of this dropdown is the “Manage Presets” button. Clicking on this button gives you the option to save your current settings as a New Preset. Select the “Save as a New Preset” option and a new popup window appears that allows you to name your new preset. I generally like to remember what original preset I used as a starting point so if I started with the Silhouettes preset I’ll name mine to something like MySilhouettes. Once you’ve named your new preset and hit the OK button, your new preset will appear in the Preset dropdown and it will also be saved into Illustrator for future needs. So the next time you open a new image to trace you can just scroll down the Preset list to find your own customized setting and you’re done.

Stephen Brown mentioned in the comments that a free version of Illustrator is Inkscape. I haven’t used Inkscape in a couple of years, but being a long time user of Illustrator I have to say Inkscape is a really amazing program. If you can’t get a copy of Illustrator to use, definitely give Inkscape a try.

[mudassir]

When you selected "Project to curve surface" why did you missed a part of the corsair logo there.?

[_Waldezas]

What about Drawing Layout, Importing sketch entity into View and exporting whole as a DXF? Kind of works for me usually

[diegodorta]

everything very clear but what is the point to use projected curve in a 3D skecth? you can use the first sketch placed directly on the plate face for the split command.

[eddyen]

what kind of computer do you have that load autocad that fast?

[sjb_rnd]

Free version of Illustrator is Inkscape. Does the same darn thing...BTW you can go directly from Illustrator to CAD without doing all the work in Inventor!!!

[christoph]

works well, thx for that useful technic...
But how can i rebuild an etched logo into a 3d model? I always fail at that point with extrusion or ohter functions.
Have you tried it out anytime?

[ebbahamrin]

Hi, can I use InDesign to convert png-files into vectors and import it to Inventor as well? I am choosing between Illustrator and InDesign...

[jacksat]

Man, what have you been smoking this week??
So active on youtube . HAha (joking)
Can't get enough TFI

[mrcnl]

or you just place the sketch on top of the face and use extrude all the splines at one with almost no depth (like 0.01mm) , that saves time.

[oleksandr]

Adobe Illustrator itself can export its file into DXF format. What is the reason in using Autodesk Inventor to get the same file format at the end??? )))

[SermedAlWasiti]

Hey, Neil :)
I believe you can use Coreldraw to accomplish the same tracing goals...

[Byndy]

Hi! I have did the sketch, as in the video, and I tried to extrude it, but it is not avilable. Please help me, how can I extrude this sketch?

[mariusz]

You can also trace and export .dwg in corel draw I think

[kwonblack]

Would a CNC machine read etching as all the way through or not?

[josearnaldopinheirodossant]

I'm looking for how to export Inventor's native drawing (ipt), in developed sheet metal, to .dxf or .dwg format, can you help me?I'm looking for how to export Inventor's native drawing (ipt), in developed sheet metal, to .dxf or .dwg format, can you help me?

[silvelution]

Open the DXF, select all lines, copy and paste into 2d sketch on the wanted surface and the use split command - way less steps

[nonenone]

Can you just simple extrude that pattern / logo?

[jhevim]

No me sale, quiero exportar y no me sale la opcion del autocad