Building a design around a digital photo

[Anonymous]

This is my first 123Design project, so apologize for primitive questions.

I would like to build a case around a small webcam, trying to keep the case as small as possible. A challenging problem is placing holes in the case that line up with those in the webcam's circuit board. I have zoomed to match the project on screen with the circuit board, & realize that as small as some of the dimensions are, (screws 3mm diameter) I have to recognize that visual alignment of hardware with screen image, is fraught with potential error. I had heard at one of the AutoCad meetings here in Portland (Lake Oswego) that there was a way to add a digital photo to a project. Vague recall of incorporation  of quite a # of photos taken of a known object from quite a # of points on a circle around the object. I have no idea if I'm about to dive in over my head, but have to ask.  So far I have a small case with an exit slot for the wires, & a tiny bucket handle for hanging the webcam. I would like to be as sure as possible that I've attended to as any details as I can foresee. Next design phase will also include creating hexagonal wells around holes to accomodate 5mm machine screw heads & nuts. As I have learned that any "moves" that change dimensions voids fillets/chamfers, clearly now is the time to incorporate a photo or set thereof, even it means starting over. I'm OK with that joy.

Thanks in advance

Claude 

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

It sounds like you have an interesting project started here. I am not sure what your question is though

It is possible to attach images to AutoCAD drawings in a variety of ways but my favorite is to use IMAGEATTACH.

Please let me know what questions you have regarding your camera and I will try to get you some answers.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post helped you with your problem or if you need additional assistance or information. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

I'll have to try IMAGEATTACH before conclusion.

[maxim_k]

Hi @Anonymous,

Are you asking about AutoCAD for Mac or about 123D Design?
If the latter, than 123D Design Help Center is here:
https://support.123dapp.com/hc/en-us
But I'm afraid, there is no community Forum dedicated to 123D Design. You can only browse help topics or search the contents of online Help there.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

I looked everywhere in 123Design for an “Imageattach” command without success. So my problem remains with imported SVG file seeming soooooo large it overwhelms 123Design & my Mac in spite of i5 CPU 16 GB RAM with Sierra OS. Your thoughts still welcome.

Claude
Claude S Poliakoff, MD FACS retired
OHSU We-Can Patient Support Group Lead
Mobile tel: 503-849-3610
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/cancer/getting-treatment/services/esophageal-cancer/about-eso...

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am sorry but I might have misunderstood your question. Imageattach is the command in AutoCAD. Your question though seems to be more a 123D one.

If so, I don't have much experience with that product and I am not sure I can help.

Please walk me through what you are trying to so I can better understand for what you are looking.

As I understand it, you are using 123Design but want to get it into AutoCAD?

[Anonymous]

I’m much earlier in my growth into 3D printing. This is my very first excursion into the realm. I’ve learned that 123Design can accept an image, only SVG format. That’s an easy concept. I’m trying to build a case for a USB webcam from a robotics parts vendor. The webcam didn’t come with a case of it’s own, understandably considering it’s source. After trying out AutoDesk Fusion 360 & attending a few of the user groups meetings here in Portland, I learned of 123Design, a user-friendly free download. The reason for wishing to work around a picture, is that I can take such a pic of the webcam, & hope to use 123Design to build the case around it, to make maximum effort to have prototype actually fit the webcam. The latter has 3 orientation notches on it’s circular rim, so I need to accurately place pins in the wall of the case, to keep the webcam orientation upright. So I anticipate a photo would not only allow me to size the case correctly but also place the orientation pins in precisely the needed locations. So far, have used Inkscape to convert jpeg to SVG image & imported into 123Design, but 2 problems. The SVG image is exceptionally faint & initial conversion was quite large & seemed to lock up 123Design, with Mac spinning color wheel forever. Even after it seemed to have been imported, 123Design commands failed to do anything to the SVG image. I hope you can help’

Claude
Claude S Poliakoff, MD FACS retired
OHSU We-Can Patient Support Group Lead
Mobile tel: 503-849-3610
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/cancer/getting-treatment/services/esophageal-cancer/about-eso...

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

This is an AutoCAD forum so I am pretty much useless on these topics.  I would personally try 123dCatch and see if that is something you can bring into  Fusion 360.

I did a quick model on the site and then downloaded as images, mesh, and as STL.  I then used Fusion 360, went to the Insert menu and selected Insert Mesh. I was able to insert my STL file.  I hope this helps.

I would also suggest that you post on the Fusion forum as it will be much more useful regarding this topic.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again John,
It seems like you are leading me to use Fusion 360. My earlier exploration thereof very challenging. I just might give it a whirl again.

Claude
Claude S Poliakoff, MD FACS retired
OHSU We-Can Patient Support Group Lead
Mobile tel: 503-849-3610
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/cancer/getting-treatment/services/esophageal-cancer/about-eso...