Try it: Reuse Raster Date to create 3D Models

Lesson: Reuse Raster Date to create 3D Models

In this lesson, you will use Raster Design tools (requires additional installation) in AutoCAD to convert raster entities to vector entities for use to create a 3D model in Autodesk Inventor.

Learning Objectives

Importing raster data
Converting raster data to vector data
Refine sketch geometry in Inventor
Build 3D model from imported sketch

Select the Insert Image tool from the Raster Tools tab and select the IMG_1057.jpg file. Accept default values for any dialogs that appear.

Start the Scale tool in the Corelate tab and select and end point on a long edge of the part for a base point.
Then select that same point and the opposite endpoint to establish the current length.
Enter 6 for the new value for the edge length.

 Using the same edge use the Deskew tool and use the same three points to change the angle of the image to 0.

Use the Rectangular Region Crop tool picking two points to establish the direction and height of the rectangle and a third to set the width.

Expand the Process Image pull-down to start the Change Density tool and change the image to Bitonal.
Use the Invert tool under Cleanup to update the image.

Use the Touchup tool setting the size of the brush and the white color to cleanup some of the line work.
Switch the brush to black and use it to clean intersecting raster elements away from the primary lines.

Zoom in on the right view and use Create Primitive to convert the left line on the upper rectangle that isn’t quite vertical.
After conversion it will change color.
Use grips to make the line vertical. Raster Snap options can assist.
Picking Merge to Raster Image will update the image.

Use a Rectangle primitive in the Vectorize & Recognize Text panel.
Pick three points to cover the vertical rectangle in the view on the right.

Continue using the Rectangle primitive to create the three rectangles that make up the primary shapes of the end view.

Use Line, Arc and Circle primitives to convert the main view of the part.
Save the data to a .dwg file in the same folder as the Design reuse.ipg (requires download).

Start Autodesk Inventor and use Open to select the .dwg you created or the Captured Scan.dwg that can be downloaded.
After selecting the file choose the Option and select Import from the File Import Options dialog.
Click Open to proceed to import the .dwg.

When the DWG/DXF File Wizard appears Next.
In the Layers and Objects Import Options dialog keep selection set to All and click Next.
On the Import Destination Options dialog, makes sure that Wires is selected, the destination is a New Part projecting the wires to a 2D Sketch. Be sure to Constrain End Points and select a Standard (in).ipt part template.
Click Finish to import the sketch.

 Repair the sketch geometry, apply constraints and dimensions to control the sketch.

Extrude the largest rectangle 3in using the 3 inch dimension as a reference.
Extrude the upper profile .7in.

Create a plane using Midplane between two Planes.
Extrude the bottom profile based on the midplane with a symmetric direction to .98.

Add a 5/8-18 thru hole and a counterbored clearance hole for a ¾ hex bolt per the callouts in the scan.

Turn off the imported sketch.
Delete the .bmp under 3rd Party in the browser.