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    Best method for tracing a jpg image

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Woodworking
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    • M Offline
      mics_54
      last edited by

      got it thanks!

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      • TIGT Offline
        TIG Moderator
        last edited by

        If the image file can be converted into a 'flattened' PNG file [using Gimp, Photoshop etc] and then a transparent alpha channel layer re-added and the unwanted background pixels deleted... then you can import it into your SKP model as an Image and then use ImageTrimmer [part of my SKMtools (note you need Java enabling and JAR files set to execute in Java and NOT to be opened in decompression-apps)].
        This will process it automatically, drawing the outline along the transparent edge pixels and only adding faces to the 100% opaque areas [using the image as a material] and finally smoothing the jaggedy edges into smoother curves.
        The resultant component's edges are auto-hidden, but they can easily be turned back on if you want to edit them further...
        So the resultant 'cutout' might do what you want?
        ImageTrimmer can work acceptably for suitable PNGs of people, trees, shrubs, etc...

        TIG

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        • M Offline
          mics_54
          last edited by

          uh..okay
          suddenly I feel like "penny" talking to "Sheldon" πŸ˜„

          ...actually I wondered if there was a way to automate the trace with some raster/vector software.

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          • Dave RD Offline
            Dave R
            last edited by

            The vectorizing programs I've tried all made very ragged vectors which translated into huge segment counts in SketchUp. If the image is suitable or made suitable for it, TIG's plugin would be great. For most of the tracing I need to do, it would take as long to make the image suitable as to just trace it and get it over with.

            Etaoin Shrdlu

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            • pbacotP Offline
              pbacot
              last edited by

              @mics_54 said:

              uh..okay
              suddenly I feel like "penny" talking to "Sheldon" πŸ˜„

              ...actually I wondered if there was a way to automate the trace with some raster/vector software.

              That is what TIG is offering in his plugin. However the first step is make the background transparent in an image editor if it is not already so, so that the software "knows" where to make the trace.

              There are automatic vector-izing programs but probably not what you want for a cut-out. Varying success from what I see.

              Looking at "Intarsia" it looks like these are linework patterns, not cut-out texture images, so I sense TIG's tool is not what you want. Probably drawing by mouse (or tablet) is going to be faster and cleaner.

              MacOSX MojaveSketchUp Pro v19 Twilight v2 Thea v3 PowerCADD

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              • pilouP Offline
                pilou
                last edited by

                Auto Tracer on line
                and else a very cool one where there is a vectorizer inside ! 😎
                Expression 3( old creatures house) free ! Multilanguage
                Permit to make crazzy illustrations!
                Astonished as vectorial image! 😲
                By Graphinc

                http://forums.polyloop.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1879&d=1083069896

                Inkscape has also one inside! Multilanguage

                Frenchy Pilou
                Is beautiful that please without concept!
                My Little site :)

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                • Dave RD Offline
                  Dave R
                  last edited by

                  Pilou, would you show us the vector lines you get from that image? Put them into SketchUp.

                  Etaoin Shrdlu

                  %

                  (THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE)

                  G28 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0

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                  • pilouP Offline
                    pilou
                    last edited by

                    Regulates inside expression 3

                    refulates.jpg

                    so more points! πŸ˜‰
                    So first play with colors on the original!

                    24 colors in the following skp file! πŸ˜„


                    refulates1.jpg


                    redfish1.zip

                    Frenchy Pilou
                    Is beautiful that please without concept!
                    My Little site :)

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                    • pilouP Offline
                      pilou
                      last edited by

                      I make a snaphot from the su forum!
                      With default parameters and without regulate anywhere in any progs that give that! (skp final file linked)
                      Inside Expression 3 (i have not the original expression file by graphinc! so snapshot above so JPG compression don't help! --> mutiply colors! )
                      You can of course modulate the start colors for have a more precise result!
                      (here only 4 colors! Suffisant if you want just the outlines! you can take till 40 color)

                      redfish1.jpg

                      You will have choice to export in different format Illustrator Ai ...
                      exportai.jpg

                      ...and EPS, PDF and FLASH

                      I had taken AI 7.0 then import inside Moi then export directly in format SKP πŸ˜‰
                      Inside Moi (who can accept also EPS, PDF )
                      redfishmoi.jpg

                      Moi export default parameters
                      redfishmoi1.jpg

                      Inside SKP : for a direct work without any regulates it's not so bad! πŸ˜‰
                      Funny the original black circle eyes has disapeared maybe black is the transparent color somewhere!
                      Expression 3 is a crazzy free prog! 😎
                      redfishsu.jpg

                      redfish.skp

                      Frenchy Pilou
                      Is beautiful that please without concept!
                      My Little site :)

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                      • M Offline
                        mics_54
                        last edited by

                        That is interesting on many levels and I bet it would be suitable for many artistic inflections.
                        Just to satisfy your curiosity etc

                        Pete's fish sign.jpg

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                        • M Offline
                          mics_54
                          last edited by

                          Pilou
                          that's a very nice trace! I will chek it out

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                          • pilouP Offline
                            pilou
                            last edited by

                            You have also Expression Designer 4 who is a smart version of expression 3 always free! πŸ˜‰

                            Else for your design drawing Moi has this on the next beta in PDF format! πŸ˜‰

                            Reamark the "large lines" not only on empty space but also Objects over objects!
                            For a more easy readable πŸ˜„

                            http://moi3d.com/forum/get_attachment.php?webtag=MOI&hash=9eb27b40171633cb3b4ab168f197f715&filename=3x silhouettes.png

                            Frenchy Pilou
                            Is beautiful that please without concept!
                            My Little site :)

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                            • M Offline
                              MARKTERREAU
                              last edited by

                              Where can a guy find the aforementioned BZ_Spline tools?
                              Thanks

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                              • Dave RD Offline
                                Dave R
                                last edited by

                                @markterreau said:

                                Where can a guy find the aforementioned BZ_Spline tools?

                                In the Extension Store: https://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=BezierSpline

                                Best would be to install the Sketchucation Extension Store tool under Resources at the top of this page. Then use it to install extensions hosted here.

                                There's also FredoSpline which has more options than the older Bezier Spline.

                                Etaoin Shrdlu

                                %

                                (THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE)

                                G28 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0

                                M30

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