converting images to vector?

[AnimusDivinus]

im trying to find a good program for taking an image and generating a vector or polylines in a dxf format i can import into solidworks, ive tried a few trials of some and my lines all come out jagged and useless, any tips?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Unless the image is high-contrast with crisp, clean edges, the result you achieved is typical.

Tracing over the image in SW will give the best result.
Open a sketch
Tools > Sketch Tools > Sketch Picture
Browse to, and select, image
Position and size to suit
Trace the image in a new sketch

 

[engd]

Josh Mings at SolidSmack recently posted how to do this by inserting a sketch picture into SolidWorks and using the AutoTrace addin.

http://www.solidsmack.com/solidwork...s-of-zombie-monkeys-in-solidworks/#more-10278

The results are dependent on the quality of the image you are using, but I have gotten it to work well in some cases.

 

[gwubs]

Try this

 

[DesignerGuy16]

Used to use adobe illustrator for this converted scans to dxf's. Would clean up and scale from there. Anything you use is likely going to need to be cleaned up.

James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP

 

[AnimusDivinus]

i tried inserting an image into solidworks, just copy and paste.. however the image ended up on a higher layer, whatever i would draw would end up behind it, any way to fix that?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Use the method I listed above.

 

[AnimusDivinus]

nevermind.. i got it to trace fine in solidworks.. im using splines

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

How's the scale?