How to export images for patent drawings??

[pmcfadden]

Hi all,

I am being asked for images for a patent application. Specifically I am being told our parts need to be all in black and white, with "India Ink" style shading...

Anyone have any idea how this is usually done in a CAD environment?  Someone has suggested we get someone to draw these by hand, which seems beyond crazy considering how many bazillions of hours have gone into building this thing in a virtual environment.

[schneik-adsk · Accepted solution]

The quickest way to get something is to change your visual style to Wireframe with visible edges only. Then set your environment to Photo Booth.

Use the capture image command, choose PNG and the transparent background option.
Save an image of high res like 2400 by XXXX

Then you can place this in documents as the patent image. You might need something like Illustrator or AutoCAD to add the balloons/item number annotations.

Example:

[pmcfadden]

Thanks Kevin,

Awsome, thanks!!!!!

[Anonymous]

KEVIN - 

I was able to do all of the above and save an image for a patent drawing.  Is there a way to show the specifications (i.e. diameters, height, etc.) in the same image?

Another question:

I have a cylinder and a small ring.  I am trying to join them together so they are one "Rigid" unit.  When I try to ASSEMBLE them (they are in the location I want them to be in ) and use the RIGID GROUP command, it does not let me select them (i.e. SELECT TWO OBJECTS) - THE OK button does not come ungrayed.  Any thoughts on this?  i.e. how to join objects (essentially weld them together)

[AndrewSears]

You can't show all of the dimension and the ones that can be shown have extra information that might not provide you with the desired results.  Sketch dimensions will show up but the closed loop profiles, projected geometry, etc. will also show up.  If you want to show dimensions from a sketch RMB on the sketch and choose "show dimensions".  Extrusion dimensions will not show up though.

Andy 

[schneik-adsk]

...On your second question. Are the two forms in separate components? Rigid group only works between components.  Bodies that belong to the same component already act welded. To find out, put your mouse over one, press left mouse button and hold. The select tool will appear. Switch to the parents tab and look for body in the list. select body in the list. The right mouse click and choose find in browser. Do the same for the other component. If they are both in the same body folder then you don;t need to rigid group them.

[schneik-adsk]

You can hide the profiles in a sketch by right mouse clicking on the sketch in the browser and choosing "hide profiles."

Either way, this method Ady reccomends will show dimensions, but most likely won't get you very clean views.  Sorry.  We have a beta for drawings that might get you what you need right now. Check out the blog which has the info on where to get the documentation beta.

[AndrewSears]

Hey Kevin,

To keep this discussion consistant with the subject we started a new thread for joining components and bodies.  http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Get-Help-with-Fusion-360/HOW-TO-JOIN-TWO-OBJECTS/m-p/4816581#M4249 

Andy 

[Anonymous]

Not quite awesome for me. Couple things: In Inventor 2016 I found "Photo Booth" in Inventor Studio, enabled it, and still don't see the shading lines the USPTO likes.In Schneik's 8/2/13 post, the image has no shading lines. If there's a way to get the software to do this, somebody let me know. Otherwise we're going to draw/copy/paste/edit the shading lines, curved surface by surface . . .

[bret323]

The only allowable shading for patent drawings is the use of horizontal lines like in old newspaper comic strips.  I have never found any CAD software that would generate these automatically.  I recommend first reconsidering if the shading is actually needed for a patent drawing.  Shading is generally nice to have to help everyone quickly pull the image into focus.  Technically, shading is not part of the part and so it does not have to be present to illustrate the invention.

If you feel it's a must have, you can create the effect with a surface feature.  Before F360 I used Solidworks extensively so this suggestion is from my use with that software.  There may be a different way to achieve it in F360.  When it's a must have you can create a thin line cut just below the surface, than pattern the cut along the face where you need the shading.  In SW there were different methods for tapering the edge of these cuts along an arc.  When you view this in wireframe the cuts will look like shading lines.

[Anonymous]

The answer here makes the resolution look very poor.

[TimeraAutodesk]

Hey @Anonymous, the answer here is several years old, and we now have a Drawings environment for Fusion 360 where you can create views, add spline leader balloons (patent style), and export them out as PDFs. Have you tried this workflow yet? I'm happy to walk you through it if needed, just let me know. 

[Anonymous]

I would appreciate that. I'm ready when you are.

[TimeraAutodesk]

Hey @Anonymous, 

Here's a quick step-by-step of how you can get a basic patent view:

1. Open the design you want to get a drawing of, and then select "New Drawing > From Design" from the file dropdown menu. (Note that you can also create an exploded view in the Animations workspace and create a drawing view from that storyboard as well.)

2. Choose some basic settings and standards you'd like to use, then hit OK to launch the Drawings workspace.

3. Place your view on the sheet with the scale and orientation you'd like, it could look something like this:

4. Next, go to Sheet Settings (near the bottom of the screen) and toggle off the check marks for the Title Block and Border - this will toggle off the visibility of the title block and border on the sheet.

 

5. If you'd like, add some spline balloons to the model to call out components using the tools in the BOM toolbar menu.

6. When you're done, you can Output the sheet(s) to PDF from the output menu

Hopefully this is helpful, let us know if you have any other questions or concerns about this.

Best,

Timera

[Anonymous]

Dear Timera,

I am trying to follow your instructions with the screen captures, but having no luck. The Fusion 360 I have installed (V 2.0.3803) does not have the features shown on your screen caps, and I am lost. Being a complete newbie, I could really use your help!

Vlad

[TimeraAutodesk]

Hi @Anonymous, 

Can you tell me which step in the process you're struggling with? All of my previous documentation should still be relevant for you to follow. 

Thanks,

Timera

[Anonymous]

Dear Timera,

You are right: everything is correct as you show, it's my .stp file that has problems. I listened to a recent webinar and they showed exactly your methodology.

However, when I follow the instructions, I get a warning: "The design contains neither solid bodies nor sketches. A drawing cannot be created." Is there something I can do to correct this issue? If not, I will ask the people who provided me with the .stp file for precision.

Best wishes,

Vlad

[Anonymous]

Very unique and beneficial information is provided. I really got to learn a lot from this. I love to read and write regarding patent drawings and illustration. I have a website regarding patent illustrations. If you have good interest in patent drawings then my website is for you. I am sure you will also find something new from my website.