How to extrude a JPG logo through a plate

[drawingsCHR7R]

Hi everyone,

So I am doing a prototype for one of our marketing campaigns, and we want to have a plate lasercut with a logo.

The logo we want to use is JPG. file, how would I go about getting the profile of the logo to extrude through the piece?

I was thinking of just pasting it and retracing it, then constraining it. Is there a easier workflow method for this type of situation?

Thanks 

[-niels-]

If you have the logo in vector format (.eps, .svg, .ai, etc.) then you might be able to use vector image software to export it as a dxf/dwg which you can then use in Inventor.
(i've done this with our company logo)

Tracing the image is also an option, but you can end up with a lot of work if it's a complex logo.

[drawingsCHR7R]

Unfortunately we don't have the logo in any of those formats.

Does this mean that tracing it is the only way forward?

[-niels- · Accepted solution]

Yes, but maybe not manually depending on the vector software you have access to.
In Adobe illustrator i can have the software trace a jpg/png/etc. to create a vector image.
I'm not sure if the free Inkscape software has a similar function, but think it highly likely.

Again, depending on the complexity of your logo you might get results that need some cleanup.
Overall, i think it's probably worth investing some time in creating a good vector image of your logo.
It's very nice if you can freely scale your logo for other uses as well.

[drawingsCHR7R]

Understood.

Thanks for the assistance on this matter.

Have a great weekend ahead.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! If you have access to AutoCAD, it has the ability to convert a raster image to vectored curves. After that, you can copy the curves and paste them to Inventor 2D sketch.

Many thanks!

[drawingsCHR7R]

Hi @johnsonshiue ,

I did not know one could do this, I do have access to AutoCAD. How would I go about doing this?

[-niels-]

@johnsonshiue i didn't know this either and searching how leads me to something called "AutoCAD Raster Design" which doesn't seem the same as vanilla AutoCAD or the AutoCAD electrical/mechanical i have access to...

Can you elaborate?

[mcgyvr]

Autocad Raster Design is included with Autocad but you need to install it (through the desktop app or from the manage.autodesk site just like any other program and then potentially enable the tools to show in the Autocad ribbon if they do not show up.. I don't have it installed but that should do it.. 

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/AutoCA... 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Niels,

Yes, Brian is right. It was a separate product called AutoCAD Raster Design. But, it has been included in AutoCAD called Raster Design Toolset. It still requires a separate install. If you have access to AutoCAD, I believe you will have access to Raster Design Toolset.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-raster-design/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/...

Many thanks!

[-niels-]

@johnsonshiue @mcgyvr Thanks, found the install on the desktop app.

Tried it for a bit with a .png of our own logo, but i'm not getting anywhere... missing an automatic conversion and getting a lot of "not a valid image type" "not a bitonal image" errors when trying the tools.

Don't think this is the tool for me, i know my way around betting with Illustrator.

So, @drawingsCHR7R , i can't help with the process of vectorizing an image with Raster design. 😞

[drawingsCHR7R]

I have not given the raster design a go yet, but will definiteyl do so in time.

I will give it a shot and hopefully it will help speed up workflow, thanks for your time on this matter. @-niels- @johnsonshiue @mcgyvr