2. Computer Aided Design¶
As usual, second week Fab class started with review and the introduction of the CAD softwares for 2D and 3D design.We were asked to choose the softwares that we are comfortable with. For 2D designs, i went more with Inscape and CorelDRAW and Fusion 360 for 3D designs. I used XnConvert for my image compression and will be using FFmpeg for video editing and compression.
Assignments for week 2¶
- model (raster, vector, 2D, 3D, render, animate, simulate) a possible project.
- compress my images and videos
- post a description with my design files on my class page.
Raster vs Vector¶
raster & vector images comparision and image source from here
There are two types of files for images that we use normally for Fab Lab.To indendify these two, we can rescale or resize the image and if it gets pixelated, the file is raster. But if rescaling does not affect the image’s resolution, it is a vector image. We can select these image types depending on our application.
1. Raster image:¶
- formed using pixles/dots, determining its resolution.
- image quality reduces if it is rescaled.
- file sizes are usually large.
- useful for editing images, praphics, photos, and posting on internet.
- supported file formats for these images are PNG,JPG, JPEG, GIF & TIFF
2. Vector image:¶
- formed by use of mathematical equations, lines and curves to form image.
- no affect in image quality if rescaled.
- file sizes are small compared.
- useful for printing banners and flex where high resolutions are required.
- supported file formats for these images are SVG, EPS, AI, DAE, PS and EMF
This reference link helped me get the basic concept on Raster and Vector images. I will show examples below how to convert from raster to vector images by using 2D design softwares that i know for later operations.
2D Design¶
This type of design are generated using the softwares which is primarily meant for creating objects or images in two dimensions(length and width, without depth.) Both raster and vector images usually fall under 2D design. Examples of 2D design softwares that i am convenient are Inkscape and CorelDRAW.
I have choosed to use Inkscape and CorelDRAW2017 as 2D design softwares for my works as i am familiar to these because back at my working place i have been using CorelDRAW to make simple design, editing images and to convert the files.Similarly, my node Fab Lab mainly use Inkscape software for 2D related works like for both Laser and Vinyl cutter machines.
1. Inkscape.¶
It is a free vector graphic editor tool used for creating or editing vector based illustrations and graphics. It is widely use as it is used as Laser cutting software.
Installing Inkscape in my window¶
- I installed Inscape from this link
- i clicked on the download arrow to download inscape file
- then i clicked on downloaded file and went to next at setup wizard coloum.
- clicked install to start the install
- finally clicked finish as shown below
images showing inkscape install process
Inkscape user interface display, source image here
Converting a Raster image to a vector format using Inkscape.¶
Steps involved:
- I opened the inkscape
- i clicked on the New Document and it displayed its interface
- i imported my JPG image to trace under the file menu and i adjusted my image on page area by scrolling mouse with CTRL from keyboard.
- Under the Menu bar, i went to path and selected Trace Bipmap
- the trace box displayed and I choosed Single Scan column
- for the Detection mode, i selected Brightness Cutoff
- i adjusted the Threshold settings to 0.45 followed by other settings.
- then i clicked Apply after finalizing my adjustments.
- Dragged my traced image to open space and view the output image by scrolling.
- i delated the previous/raster image
- Finally saved my traced vector image in inkscape format.
My final traced image by Inkscape in SVG format is here
2. CorelDRAW¶
I have basic knowledge on Coreldraw2017 as i have been using this software at JNEC Fab Lab.
Installing CorelDRAWGraphicSuite2017 in my window.¶
steps involved:
- Went to the CorelDRAWGraphicSuite2017 file folder.
- I clicked on ‘Setup’, where setup.exe displayed.Clicked ‘yes’
- i have selected modified and clicked Next.
- i slected all the programs and clicked Next.
- then went on with Install Now and clicked Finish
- i copied “PASMUTILITY.dll” and went to local disk.
- Under Program file, i went with corel and then opened v1 folder under PASMUtilit.
- i pasted that copied file PASMUTILITY.dll and renamed as PASMUTILITYBAK.dll and press continue to run.
steps showing corelDRAW install
- now, i opened corelDRAW and clicked on New Document and choose document settings.
- Clicked OK and coreldraw2017 interface displayed.
CorelDRAW2017 user interface display. source image from here
Design with CorelDRAW2017¶
Precedures:
- I downloaded source image from here.
- Opened new document and filled followed by clicking ‘OK’ and import image downloaded.
- under Tool Bar, choosed Bezier tool and sketched on my image making closed lines.
- next i choosed shape tool after un-selecting bezier tool.
- I selected my shaped part and choosed ‘Convert to curve’ tool.
- i shaped my sketch image to actual shape.
- after shaping unselected by choosing pick tool.
- dragged original image and compared and deleted original one.
- resized and increased line thickness followed by giving colors from its palette.
- further drawn rectangle with 5mm fillet to look like phone.
- finally saved my drawing in CorelDRAW format for now.
2D design by corelDRAW
3D Design¶
It refers to the use of softwares to create any digital model having three dimensional shape or object. The three dimensions here are length, width and height/depth which give more complete visualization to reality. The viewers get clear idea on the structure. There are many 3D design softwares but i am more comfortable with Fusion 360.
I have choosed to use Fusion 360 over other softwares as i have been using this at my work place as well. Learning new software for now is little challenging but i will be trying to use softwares like FreeCAD, Blender and Tinkercad as they have great features and free.
Blender¶
I was introduced on using Blender to design products by my Instructor. But it became hard for me to understand for now.However, i downloaded the software to go on along the class tutorial.
Procedures involved for installing Blender:
- i went to this link to install.
- i went on with to download and clicked to download blender 4.3.2 version.
- i continued the process till finish.
Our Instructor Rico gave us the tutorial class for the blender. Though i am unable to track, i felt the importance of geometry nodes.But this software needs much time to understand and i will be exploring more. However, Some of my understanding are:
- first command Shift + A was to add,
- transformation commands shortcut keys were G, S & R to move, scale and rotate respectively.
- Esc key on keyboard was for cancel
- Ctrl + Z is to undo the change
- shift + D was shortcut for copy.
image above is from the local class.
Fusion 360¶
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD/CAM tool for collaborativeproduct development. it enables fast and easy exploration of design ideas with an integrated concept to production tool set. reference from here
Designing case Final project using fusion 360¶
- From the Toolbar, i went under SOLID and selected top plane.
- Drawn center rectangle with size 180mm by 120mm and extruded to 100mm.
- I choosed shell by 3mm and under MODIFY, done 10mm chamfer to the front corners.
- Then i have offset plane to 5mm to draw lid for my box.
- Select sketch to draw on that offset plane, having same dimension of box, extruding to 3mm.
- Next i clicked to create components from bodies under my design body.
- I went to Assembly and choosed joint to combine box with its lid.
- On the top face, i sketched a circle with diameter 90mm, which was extruded down to 3mm.
- Followed by using offset plane to sketch four holes in front of diameter 4mm,which was extruded inside 12mm.
- for these 4 holes i created internal threads with thread designation M4X12mm.
To apply appearance to my component, i choosed “RENDER” under “DESIGN”. I have selected “Appearance” and from dialog box choosed ‘polymide’ under plastic and dragged to apply to sketch 2/front part.
I continued to add appearance to other parts by selecting ‘cherry’ under “wood” and dragged to apply. Then, clicked finish to end my drawing and i screen record my drawing and saved my drawing in fusion format.And i had converted video of this design in “FFmpeg” and pushed.
Next, i wanted to add animation to my component. Firstly, i went to “DESIGN” and selected ‘Animation’.The animation timeline dialog box appeared.
I clicked on “Transform Components” and selected my whole component to move by 100mm and set time at ‘Animation timeline’ accordingly.
Followed same process by moving my front part by 100mm right and 100 mm back and set the time.
Then, clicked back to “DESIGN” and i screen recorded my drawing and saved my drawing in fusion format.And i had converted video using “FFmpeg” which is attached below.
Image Compression by Xn Convert¶
- I downloaded and installed Xn concert from here
- i selected my edited/flameshot images and dragged to the Input column of Xn convert.
- next i had gone to Action column where i resized my image keeping to width 600 and height 400.
- also i had to tick ‘keep ratio’ under Action
- Then under Output column, i had to give source to save, naming my image, and format i choosed was JPG-JPEG.
- under Output, i had to tick ‘Preserve Metadata’
- finally clicked to ‘convert’ at right end of page.
- it converts showing the size details and information, clicked close.
images compressed by Xn convert
Video Compression by FFmpeg¶
I followed this tutorial to install FFmpeg to compressed my videos.
Procedures
- i downloaded FFmpeg from here.
- Selected windows option and choosed Windows builds by BtbN.
- downloaded ‘ffmpeg-master-latest-win64-gpl-shared zip’
- Went to Downloads and extract the files and cut and paste it to a folder named ‘ffmpeg’ in C Drive
- go to the bin folder and copy all exe files to ggmpeg folder.
- Now copy the path and clicked window key, where i typed ‘Edit the System Environment Variable’
- after that i selected option ‘Environment Variable’
- Double clicked on path option and clicked on New and copy the cut path to blank and press enter followed by ‘OK’ buttons.
-from window key give typed ‘command prompt’ and press to it. - Finally typed ‘ffmpeg’ to confirm my FFmpeg install.
images showing FFmpeg install process
To start my trial video compress, i went to folder containing my video file and opened terminal there. Then pasted the command link. However, i was in problem as my video could not compress. So, i joined Asian Reivew to solved my issue, Instructor Rico has helped me solved during that session as followed:
My trial video output size was 209KB from 1.93MB input video.
After success of compressing my trial video, i compressed my final video following the same steps above:
My video compressed images for fusion drawing animation, showing 129KB output size from 3.37MB input size.
animation compressed video1