Why is my 2D output HORRIBLE???

[makeroftoys2]

The worst thing about SW 2007 was the 2D output. So... I was SUPER excited to get SW 2013, until I tried it.
For me, the 2D output in SW2013 is actually WORSE than 2007.

With Jpegs and TIFF I get images with grey backgrounds and weak line weights. They are not low-resolution images. They are unusable.

I have Adobe Illustrator CS6. Supposedly SW2013 offers direct output to Adobe Illustrator... which does not work. It causes the program to oscillate like it's about to crash for 30 seconds... And then provides output which is gibberish.

Has anyone been able to get clear, high-quality output from Solidworks??

 

[hititfaster]

Obviously our definitions of 'quality' might differ somewhat and I don't know what you want this output for, but I regularly output very high quality pdf's from SW. Would I be right in saying Illustrator can pull in a pdf and work with it? I've made images from parts showing colours for screen printers to work from and I've done very high quality pdf's of drawings where people need to be able to zoom in very close to see details... I simply changed the output quality of the pdf: do a save-as, then hit options.

One of my colleagues is a bit of an Illustrator whizz but she's not in today - I'll try and remember to ask when she's back on Monday.

 

[handleman]

Can you post an example? I daresay most people don't experience this, otherwise nobody would use SolidWorks.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[GRF]

Check the options you are using when you save as a jpg. Your DPI might be set pretty low, 150-300 will help make things crisper.

 

[makeroftoys2]

Example attached.

This is 240DPI,grayscale, no compression, print capture. The "remove background" option is grayed out and unselectable.

 

[makeroftoys2]

Sorry, here is attachment.

I have fixed the grey background problem I mentioned in the original question by setting SW background. (duh)
But the lines are still broken, irregular

This is 240DPI,grayscale, no compression, print capture. The "remove background" option is grayed out and unselectable.

How can I improve line thickness and quality?

 

[handleman]

Nothing is attached. If you posted an inline image, it is blocked on my end. Please attach the file using the "upload your file to ENGINEERING.com" link.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Looks pretty damn good on my machine. Main outline is crisp and black, hidden detail is light grey but fine.

 

[makeroftoys2]

now I am very confused, because the output HERE looks good to me too.

But I swear, if I open that exact same file in Adobe Illustrator, it does not look as good as it does here.

as one very specific example, on my computer (in CS6) the lower horizontal line of the body of this gear is almost invisible. the top line looks nice and clear. The bottom line is almost gone.


Maybe my problem is with Adobe Illustrator?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Have you tried saving to an Adobe printer, and then opening the PDF in AI?

 

[hititfaster]

Would I be right in saying Illustrator can pull in a pdf and work with it?

That's what I'd try...

 

[makeroftoys2]

Thanks to all.
The best output seems to be saving as photoshop via "save as."