Loading Images for Vectorization

Introduction

This topic explains how to load an image for the purpose of creating geometry from it. It should be noted that this is not the same as loading a vector file. Standard (raster) images require vectorization to create geometry, but vector files already contain it. You can vectorize images to create geometry for machining features, emboss models, or use with SolidWorks features.

Loading an Image

There are two ways to load an image using the BobART tree of the BobART Manager tab that provide the same result.

Click the BobART tab in the SolidWorks Manager Pane.
In the BobART tree, right-click BobART Manager or Images, and click Load Image.

The Selection Manager displays for you to define the location of the image.

Define the Image Location and Orientation

The first step of loading an image is to define where it is loaded. It is important to understand that the origin of the image (also called the reference point) is defined as the bottom left corner of the image. When you select origin, the image reference point is placed at the origin you specify.

In the Selection Manager, select a SolidWorks plane, a planar face, or a surface edge to determine the plane on which the image is loaded. If you do not make any selection, the Front plane is utilized.

Note: Images are loaded using the plane you specify, but placed at the SolidWorks origin on that plane. If you do not make a selection, the image is placed at the origin of the SolidWorks Front plane.

Location Selection Tips:

When selecting a SolidWorks plane, the image loads at the origin of the plane.
When selecting a planar face, the image loads using a projection of the SolidWorks origin to the same plane.
When selecting a surface edge, a new SolidWorks plane is automatically created perpendicular to the edge, with the origin placed at the edge.

Under Image Location, you can change the X and Y values to move the image origin in reference to the origin of the plane.
Click .

The Open dialog box displays.

Be sure to set the Files of Type filter to show the types of images you want to load. (The system defaults to displaying .jpeg images.)

Navigate to, and select an image, then click Open.

The image displays in the graphics area and is ready for further processing.

Understanding the Resulting Features

The following features are automatically created after loading an image.

In the BobART tree, under Images, an Image feature is added. (This item displays the name of the selected image file.)

This item is used to vectorize the image using BobCAM for SolidWorks. You can also change the origin, delete, hide, show, and even edit the image using the Microsoft Paint application using this feature.

A SolidWorks sketch containing a sketch picture is automatically created in the Feature Manager design tree.

Note: When you select a plane, planar face, or edge, a 2D sketch is created to contain the sketch image. If you do not select a location (or use the default Front plane), a 3D sketch is created to contain the sketch image.

You can use this item to hide, show, or change the image location in the graphics area. Note that you can double-click an image directly in the graphics area, or a sketch picture in the Feature Manager design tree, to open the Sketch Picture properties and modify the image location.

When hiding or showing images, you should use either the Feature Manager design tree or the BobART tree as the visibility status can be changed from either location. (The visibility status in the BobART tree does not update when using the Feature Manager design tree, but the design tree does update when using the BobART tree.)

Modifying the Image Location

When modifying the location of an image, you can use either the feature in the BobART tree or any method provided by SolidWorks (methods change slightly depending on which version).

In the BobART tree under Images, right-click Image-filename and click Edit.

Alternatively, you can also double-click an image directly in the graphics area.

The Sketch Picture properties display in the Property Manager tab.

You can change the X and Y location, rotation angle, image size, and even change the transparency of the image in the graphics area. When you vectorize the image, it uses the current location and attributes. If you modify an image after vectorizing it, the geometry remains in the previous location until you vectorize the image again.

Vectorizing the Image

After an image is loaded, you use the Image (vectorization) feature in the BobART tree to vectorize the image and create geometry. View Using the Raster to Vector Dialog box to get the general process and a few important tips.