Hi,
We are trying to figure out the best way to export a model into a high-res, vector drawing, editable in Adobe Illustrator. Any advice? I'm not a SolidWorks user but a Graphic Designer working with SolidWorks users. We need to use their models in presentations and marketing materials. The bitmap image exports we've tried thus far appear pixelated.
Thanks,
Sharon
The best way is to make a drawing in solidworks and save as a pdf. The only way to get a vector format is from the 2d drawing file.
Sharon,
You want a 3D view of the model? If so, then I suggest utilizing the PhotoView 360 software to make a nice rendering. With those options you can make the resolution anything you need to match your end output. PV360 will render the image using advanced lighting and raytracing, so it takes a while to compute. It also requires SolidWorks Professional, or a stand-alone plug-in license.
You can save SolidWorks sketches as vectors. You can save SolidWorks drawings as vectors. You will only get the edges though, none of the shading. So if you have a SolidWorks drawing open, you can get those lines as an .ai file.
Hi Sharon, I have to use this routine every day, for me "export .ai" is worthless as it will segment the entire image once you open it in Illustrator. I create a drawing of the angle I want, crank up the image quality and then save as ".DFX" 1 to 1. When I open this file in Illustrator, I only have to remove the lines that are leftover from the Drawing Sheet (i.e. the info box).
Hope that helps.
Hi Sharon,
I have the same problem. So every person giving you an answer has no knowledge about the difference between a bitmap file vs a vector file, so most of the above answers are useless. I've tried exporting to an illustrator file for use in our user manuals. It seems to work, but when I zoom in on the exported .ai file I find jagged lines and worst non of the lines are joined at any end points. It seems to just throw away any of the configured drawing assembly/exploded view information (that I would like to be able to selectively pull apart) and flatten the file. This is about the same result as printing as a PDF file.
I'm going to play with the DXF options. I did figured out that if you export one part at a time rather then an overlapping assembled configured view it retains usable .ai features.
It's a battle with our engineers. "Why can you use the the drawings we give you?" My answer is always "the illustrations in the manuals have to be paired down to their bare essentials (simplified look). The rule of any Graphic Designer is to comunicate with as little "ink" as possible!
Marc Herrera wrote:
Hi Sharon,
I have the same problem. So every person giving you an answer has no knowledge about the difference between a bitmap file vs a vector file, so most of the above answers are useless.
Geeze what a way to alienate people.
Sharon and all,
The best way would be to open the saved DXF from SW into Illustrator.
I'm going to look into this issue and probably file an SPR because if you select the drawing views and then use Edit>copy to illustrator, it only vectorizes the annotations and hatching but not the geometry - this is wrong, and I'm going to try to convince development that we need ALL of it. Cross your fingers and wish me luck
Regards
Mark
Don't have time to play nice. I have 15 manuals and 5 over worked graphic artist and vendors. And "alienate" is not in my vocabulary at the moment.
Thank you...
You would have more time to play nice if you actually knew more and pretended less. Previous posters recommended DXF and PDF. Both are vector formats that I have successfully imported into AI. (Yes, other people besides you know the difference).
As mentioned, exporting is best done from a drawing. No trees or kittens will die if you make a temporary drawing to accomplish this aim.
Hi Marc,
Please do your best to be kind to others on the forum. Some of your responses have been quite negative in tone, especially considering that you have asked for help here.
Richard Doyle
Leif Buckley wrote:
".DFX" 1 to 1. When I open this file in Illustrator, I only have to remove the lines that are leftover from the Drawing Sheet (i.e. the info box).
Hope that helps.
Lief here is a tip.
before you save the dxf, go to properties of the drawing sheet and deselect the display sheet format box, then it's just a plain sheet of paper with no title block to delete in illustrator.
Hi Richard,
I'll play like "David Banner or Bruce" next post.
My Apologies
I was thanking him for "this problem is worthy of being brought up to thier development team". Sorry if I offended you.
I apologize for my harshness in the beginning of my post, but please re-read the second sentence. Opening it in illustrator is the easy part. I need it as a "compound path" in order to work with it traditionally. The original post from Sharon came very close to my problem "...to figure out the best way to export a model into a high-res, vector drawing, editable in Adobe Illustrator". Mark Biasotti understood what my problem was and addressed it superbly.
of course Mark B knows your pain he is an Industrial Designer, worked for IDEO and had the same issues.
It's that whole graphic to geometry and geom to graghic delema, there just aren't any raster to vector programs out there that are worth a crap!!!!! so why do you think SW would be any different, same issue these days with a scanned stl file to make it a surface or solid model again they all suck!
it's just like designers don't like engineers and visa versa and model makers don't like designers and engineers because they always have to save there.............. Just kidding Mark you know I love ya!
so you all know Mark and I worked together back in the day.
Sorry. I must have misunderstood you when you said "every person giving you an answer has no knowledge about the difference between a bitmap file vs a vector file". Gotta work on my reasoning skills, so I can better connect the dots between "my imported vector files are crapola" and "other people don't know the difference between raster and vector".
One of our engineers actually worked or contracted for IDEO (Steve X.) and yes I irritated him off a few times. As for SW being different... wishful thinking I guess? So I just hunkered down on SW and started creating my own configurations/views my self. And I convinced my superiors to ad an additional SW licence jut for the "Art Dept". This how important our user manuals are to us. Most of the manuals are tailored for each of our "B to B" clients. If this issue was some how bridged, SW or Adobe would make a killing and maybe put a few production artist out of work.
I did find a little work around. If I just exported one part at a time rather then a the whole assembled overlapping "layered part" it keeps the path/lines as a compound path in Illustrator. We have a in-staff interior designer that uses AutoCAD and she pointed out that it's because of the layers.
PS I have few thing to learn when posting
Marc Herrera wrote:
PS I have few thing to learn when posting
Its all good..... some just get their undies in a bundle to quickly, not that I haven't been in your shoes before on here.
us machinst types tend to do that.
have a great weekend and GO PACK GO!!!!
Hi Marc,
If you're that heavy into manual creation you may want to have a look at 3dvia composer http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/documentation-software-3DVIA-Composer.htm
Rob is right. Give 3DVIA Composer a try. You can take advantage of the free 30 days trial.
I just opened up the link... AND WOW! This looks promising! Thanks.
Srew the trial! I just shot an email to our dept head a request to purchase and I'm looking for tutorials. Please don't tell me how long this 3DdivaComposer has been around...
I'm not sure but it's been 3-4 years anyway. It's a nice product from the usage I've had with it. I think it's price has limited it's ability to really penetrate the market.
Dam. Their making me download the Trial first. Then contact our SW dealer. Then call our engineering consultant who happens to be a SW instructor. Really!
The Save As > Adobe Illustrator files (*.ai) isn't suitable?
http://help.solidworks.com/2011/English/solidworks/sldworks/legacyhelp/sldworks/impexp/adobe_illustrator_files.htm