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Photoworks- render to file, 1 to 1 scale

Question asked by Gordon Kistler on Mar 12, 2010
Latest reply on Mar 18, 2010 by Gordon Kistler

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Is there a (good) way to render a SolidWorks assembly to a file so that when I import it into a graphics program (Corel) it comes in at 1 to 1?

I have a model that is approximately 10" x 20". I am rendering a top view in PhotoWorks (render to file) and want to place the rendered image over the top of an imported 1 to 1 dxf of a drawing. The problem is that I haven't found a combination of settings that allow me to export the rendered image so that when I import it into Corel it comes in at 1 to 1. It always is much larger than 1 to 1. We need at least 800 dpi resolution for our final graphic output.

I'm rendering to file as a *.tga so that there is no background saved with the file.

Thanks in advance for the help.

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Dan Riffell Mar 12, 2010 1:13 PM

My first question is: why are you using Corel? Can't you just scale your render after you add over the .dxf?

Alternatively, you could import the .dxf as a sketch in SW and use the render as a sketch picture and resize it there.

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Gordon Kistler @ Dan Riffell on Mar 12, 2010 1:48 PM

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, we can scale the rendered image to the dxf in Corel but the scale factor isn't consistent because the original assembly size varies from project to project. We are using Corel because we have other graphics and text that we need to add to the rendered image to complete the overall graphic for production. I was just hoping we could export a 1 to 1 rendered image so that we could import, locate, and move on.

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Shuvom Ghose Mar 15, 2010 4:54 PM

This was actually an interesting question to dig into, and the answer involves 2 parts.

First, "Render to File" always renders a certain number of pixels. All the "Image Size" options just dance around that, even image size in inches.

So first, figure out how many pixels by pixels you want. For an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper at 200 dpi, that would be (8.5 x 200= 1700) 1700 by 2200 pixels. 800 dpi would be a lot more.

Second, you have to get the size of what you see on the screen before you render correct. This is done through a camera view. RC on the "Lights, Cameras and Scene" folder in the feature tree and add a camera.

Position the camera to look straight down on your part (sketch geometry is good for this- I made a line sticking 100 mm above my part and attached the camera location to that).

The important part is at the bottom of the Camera property manager (screenshot attached). Turn off perspective and set the height to how high you want your total picture to be. 8.5 inches in my case (or 215.9 mm). Make sure your aspect ratio is what you want (8.5 by 11 for normal paper) and then hit ok.

RC on the camera you just made in the "Lights" folder and turn ON camera view. You should no longer be able to rotate the view. Then, render to file, choose the number of pixels by pixels you calculated before, and the render will be 1:1.

Good question, and I learned a lot trying to answer it!

Shuvom

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camera properties.bmp2.1 MB

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Gordon Kistler @ Shuvom Ghose on Mar 18, 2010 12:15 PM

Shuvom,

Thank you for your research. I haven't had a chance to do what you suggested yet but it sounds like you may have solved the problem.

Gordon

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4 Replies

Dan Riffell Mar 12, 2010 1:13 PM
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My first question is: why are you using Corel? Can't you just scale your render after you add over the .dxf?

Alternatively, you could import the .dxf as a sketch in SW and use the render as a sketch picture and resize it there.
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- Gordon Kistler @ Dan Riffell on Mar 12, 2010 1:48 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Thanks for the reply.
  
  Yes, we can scale the rendered image to the dxf in Corel but the scale factor isn't consistent because the original assembly size varies from project to project. We are using Corel because we have other graphics and text that we need to add to the rendered image to complete the overall graphic for production. I was just hoping we could export a 1 to 1 rendered image so that we could import, locate, and move on.
  Like • Show 1 Like1
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Shuvom Ghose Mar 15, 2010 4:54 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
This was actually an interesting question to dig into, and the answer involves 2 parts.

First, "Render to File" always renders a certain number of pixels. All the "Image Size" options just dance around that, even image size in inches.
So first, figure out how many pixels by pixels you want. For an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper at 200 dpi, that would be (8.5 x 200= 1700) 1700 by 2200 pixels. 800 dpi would be a lot more.

Second, you have to get the size of what you see on the screen before you render correct. This is done through a camera view. RC on the "Lights, Cameras and Scene" folder in the feature tree and add a camera.

Position the camera to look straight down on your part (sketch geometry is good for this- I made a line sticking 100 mm above my part and attached the camera location to that).

The important part is at the bottom of the Camera property manager (screenshot attached). Turn off perspective and set the height to how high you want your total picture to be. 8.5 inches in my case (or 215.9 mm). Make sure your aspect ratio is what you want (8.5 by 11 for normal paper) and then hit ok.

RC on the camera you just made in the "Lights" folder and turn ON camera view. You should no longer be able to rotate the view. Then, render to file, choose the number of pixels by pixels you calculated before, and the render will be 1:1.

Good question, and I learned a lot trying to answer it!
Shuvom
Attachments
- camera properties.bmp2.1 MB
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- Gordon Kistler @ Shuvom Ghose on Mar 18, 2010 12:15 PM
  Mark Correct
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  Shuvom,
  Thank you for your research. I haven't had a chance to do what you suggested yet but it sounds like you may have solved the problem.
  
  Gordon
  Like • Show 1 Like1
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Photoworks- render to file, 1 to 1 scale

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