topic Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl in Inventor Forum

Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:59:53 GMT

Well I think that's the idea, but I think it should be done as a Lossy Compression, as read in wikipedia. I don't think compressing it as a compressed file works, since Inventor needs to read the file not as a folder, I don't know I haven't tried. But even then your right about of how the capability of the 3D printer should be considered, because of the detail.

P.S I also posted it on quora Can inventor import images as lossy compression?

But I still don't know if it works this way

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 22:38:59 GMT

OK, now we have a clean thread where we can address the problem.

I am afraid that you are completely and entirely confused about the nature of stl and image files.

Let's find out for sure and end all doubt.

This can easily be explained - but the best explanation would probably come from using your files directly.

Can you attach your stl and image files here (this is a yes or no question).

Place your files in a folder.

Right click on the folder and select Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder.

Attach the resulting *.zip file here.

If the geometry is proprietary and confidential - then make up a dummy dataset that exhibits the same issue that you want to solve.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 23:08:42 GMT

Where did you go?

This is an easy problem that should only take a few minutes to explain.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 06:58:41 GMT

Sorry I have to keep switch computers when when it gets to about 3:30 pm MDT, as I've got to go to university to be with kids. I'll have posted on monday, since I don't have access to inventor til then. However I can post as seperate files.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 10:39:49 GMT

There are a large number of issues with your design technique.

Are you interested in learning to do this correctly, step-by-step?

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 04:38:51 GMT

Oh right, is it too many lines? So yes I'd interested on knowing how to step by step, if otherwise I'll message you as I didn't realize that I can message you

I didn't expect to get reply back this soon

Again I'll have access to Inventor tomorrow morning

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 11:05:48 GMT

Are you a student?

Is this your personal computer?

iProperties indicates that you are using version 2015 Service Pack 0.

The first step is to download and install the 2 Service Packs and 5 Updates for 2015.

Let me know when you have completed this step for next instruction.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:29:14 GMT

Can I message you?

We can go back to replying as soon as I explain my background as a student.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

mcgyvr — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:37:39 GMT

Are you trying to "emboss" that image (at various heights) into the model so it will print with it..

Should be some "workarounds" here..

I think I've seen the inkscape recommendation in the past..

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-general-discussion/how-to-emboss-or-extrude-a-logo-or-image/td-p/5187999

I've seen other programs that can create a height map of an image based on darkness levels too that can be imported into Inventor..

Think this can do it..

https://memento.autodesk.com/features

blender seems to be able to do it too..

In the past with simple images I've just traced over the image in Autocad to get a closed profile too.. Works fine..

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:57:54 GMT

Start a new part file.

Turn on the Visibility of the Origin Center Point.

Sketch this 2-point center rectangle at the origin center point and dimension as shown.

Attach your *.ipt file here for next step.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 17:13:24 GMT

Ok Thanks, I'll try it out. Thanks for the links.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 17:20:44 GMT

OK thanks I'll see what I can do about

P.S I'll see if the IT staff can make that service pack installation

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:11:16 GMT

OK so I made a few modifications to the top, as I looked up the size intended for it to fit a USB , it was 7 x 2 mm is now 12 x 4.5 mm, as I researched it on the internet although I thought it would be too big. So yes I'm new to inventor, so when you told me to attach the file, I was thinking I use Make Component, which the one below is an .iam file (Assembly file) although I still have the original. But I did what you told me what to do.

But I don't understand what you want me to do?

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 00:21:20 GMT

An Inventor part file is *.ipt

An Inventor assembly file is *.iam

When I ask you to attach your Inventor file here - simply attach the part or the assembly with parts.

Images are nothing more than pretty pictures.

If a pretty picture is worth a thousand words - an actual Inventor file might be worth a thousand pictures.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 05:30:54 GMT

I see the file format difference.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:57:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

So yes I'm new to inventor, .....

But I don't understand what you want me to do?

We need to take this design step-by-step as your design is pretty much a disaster.

I can walk you through the steps, but you have to follow the steps.

In post #10 I instructed you as the first step to create a 2-point center rectangle with the Origin Center Point in the middle of the 30x53 rectangle. That is it. Nothing more.

Go back and read Post #10 again.

Start a new part file.

Create this sketch and then attach your *.ipt file here.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:34:53 GMT

Sorry I took me while to do that, as I don't have anyone to show me how to auctually do it. So I looked on youtube and found how to do it, turns out it was actually a lot simpler then I thought.

I still couldn't get that dot on the centerline, even with the visibility turned on

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

JDMather — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:53:36 GMT

Your latest attachment - you have gone too far.

My intention was to walk you through this step-by-step to do it correctly.

Your *.ipt file attachment should only have one sketch with one rectangle and two dimensions.

That is all.

See explicit instructions in Post #10 and #16.

Forget everything you have done previously.

Re: Attempting to put an image file onto an .stl

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 21:41:27 GMT

Ok so you want rectangle 1