How can I convert iges into jpeg?

[Anonymous]

I need to convert my iges files into jpeg (mac computer), does anyone knows if it's possible and how to do it?

Once I'm done with my project I would like to work on it a bit in Photoshop, but if I open it as igs, it will appear gray 

Thank you everybody 

[Anonymous]

Strictly speaking, what you are asking can't be done. Iges is a 3d model data format and jpeg is a 2d image format. It is like asking how to I convert my car into a Polaroid. The answer is the same, you take a picture of the car and you get a Polaroid, but you can still drive the car.

If you import the iges file by using the New Design from file command, then hopefully you have a model that you can work with. It depends on the software that exported the file in the first place. If you are lucky, you get a bunch of bodies that can be turned into components and assembled with joints. If you aren't, then you get a bunch of surfaces that have to be put together with the Stitch command. This can be really hit and miss as you often find surfaces sitting on top of each other with no really good way to choose the right one. I usually try to stitch obviously connected parts together in chunks first, and then deal with the trickier bits when there is less clutter on the screen.

The reason it is hard to work with afterwards is that you have a direct model (DM) version of the model instead of a parametric version. A good way to think about the difference is like the difference between a toy car and a plastic model kit of the car. In the first place you have a model that you can turn around and take pictures of, and the second is a bunch of shapes with a set of instructions on how to put it together. How good the plastic model turns out is dependent on the instructions and the order in which you put the parts together. 

[Anonymous]

iges is 3D and jpeg is 2D, yes, but they're both created in a 2D screen, so it doesn't sound so impossible to me to convert something 3D into 2D, as beyond what it seems, they're both 2D. I just can't find any converser. Taking a picture of it, like you suggested is also a solution, but with screen shot I don't get the file in the size and quality I want, so how else to get it done? Any suggestions? I really need this.

Thank you

[PhilProcarioJr · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

I am completely baffled as to why you think what @Anonymous wants to do can't be done......

Anyways @Anonymous here is how you can do what you want in Photoshop. The second video will show you how to paint the IGES in Photoshop.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

You can use any Photoshop tools on the model to paint the surface and make your final JPG image. As long as you save it as a psd file you can edit as much as you want.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

Another option you have is to use the built in render to render out a JPG you can use in photoshop, but you lose all the control with this method.

I can make you a video showing how to do this if you want.

[Anonymous]

The question wasn't can Photoshop handle the 3d model, it was Iges to generic jpeg. If you have a recent version of Photoshop then you can paint the model in 3d, but you still have to take a snapshot of it to convert it to jpeg. Jpeg is just a bitmapped image as it is really just a Windows Paint image with a fancy compression algorithm. That is why I started with "Strictly speaking...".

When you are painting a surface in Photoshop, you are not working in 2d any more. It is a one way conversion to the jpeg format. When you go from a jpeg to a 3d file format, you need software to interpret what is pictured in the 2d image and recreate the 3d model based on user input. You can only guess at what is not shown in the 2d image.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

"The question wasn't can Photoshop handle the 3d model, it was Iges to generic jpeg. If you have a recent version of Photoshop then you can paint the model in 3d, but you still have to take a snapshot of it to convert it to jpeg. Jpeg is just a bitmapped image as it is really just a Windows Paint image with a fancy compression algorithm."

@Anonymous question (not the title of the post) was

"I need to convert my iges files into jpeg (mac computer), does anyone knows if it's possible and how to do it?

Once I'm done with my project I would like to work on it a bit in Photoshop, but if I open it as igs, it will appear gray"

"Once I'm done with my project I would like to work on it a bit in Photoshop..." Can be interpreted in a few ways. It could be a product shot or placement into another scene, put on top of a background image...etc

"but you still have to take a snapshot of it to convert it to jpeg."

That's true, but that's exactly what @Anonymous was asking how to do. I was pointing out that you can keep a completely editable 3d with a background or texture map by doing it all in Photoshop. Therefore only converting it to a jpg as a final step. I'm fully aware of what a jpg is and the difference between a 3d file and a 2d file. I was merely pointing out that what they want to do can be done two ways. One in Photoshop and the other a rendered image from Fusion. Either way will give @Anonymous what they are asking for.

[Anonymous]

@PhilProcarioJr 

Sorry. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't know the difference. My answer was for people who might be reading the thread who don't know the difference.

I must admit, it has been a few years since I kept up with the latest developments in the Photoshop world. I don't require that level of sophistication in my 2d image needs. I got tired of the overhead that Photoshop gobbles up even to just crop an image.

In my defense, the OP didn't say which version of Photoshop that they were using. ( Ok it isn't a great defense. 😉  ) 

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

It's all good I just want to make sure @Anonymous knows what options are available.

Which one will work best will depend on "Exactly" what their needs are.

We are all here to help each other and learn, I just like to make sure the person in question is getting the help they need.

Cheers 

[TMC.Engineering]

Or if you only need real quick and dirty pic. you can just use print screen or a screen capture tool (snipping tool on windows). 

[PhilProcarioJr]

@TMC.Engineering

@Anonymous  said "Taking a picture of it, like you suggested is also a solution, but with screen shot I don't get the file in the size and quality I want"

So a print screen will not give the quality requirement they want. If the IGES file is opened in Photoshop you can set the DPI as high as you need giving you a lot of control over the quality of the model as an image. A rendering from Fusion can also give a higher quality level but if the angle of the model is wrong or the placement of the shadow you have to go back to Fusion to fix it and that can be a lot of work. Using Photoshop you have complete control over the quality of the model, placement and angle of the model and direction and intensity of the lighting and shadow. If they decide to put the model over a backplate this is very important.

The current rendering engine is good but lacks the level of control users need. They feel that it's better to make rendering easy over more control which would add complexity for novice users.

I don't agree with this at all which is why I don't use the built in render very often.

[TMC.Engineering]

@PhilProcarioJr ah yes missed that in the follow up.  agree that PS is a much better solution. This also fits into having more than one tool in the toolbox you have mentioned in other posts, totally agree there too.

On the simplicity vs control AD took the same approach with simulation, and while I would prefer more simulation tools, I can see why they went for simplicity.  As a result I use another package when needed.  Simplicity in rendering on the other hand is good for me right now because it is easy, fast, and good enough for what I am doing.  when I get to the point of needing more I will probably get into blender (a good price point).  

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much, that was of a huge help!

[Anonymous]

When I open it in Photoshop, I get the file all gray, even though I had it already with texture and everything. Is there a way I can open it in Photoshop keeping all the textures and colors?

And one of my projects is to sell, does anyone knows if I can sell a 3D that uses Autodesk Fusion 360's texture?

Thank you

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

There is no way to export the IGES file with textures. The file format itself only supports colors. 

The only solution that comes to mind is to sell the model in the .f3d format so when it's opened in Fusion it will retain the texture information.