I find it completely fundamental in product design for CAD software to be able to import graphics such as logos from the industry’s marketing standard - Adobe. Having failed to do this with Shapr3D I would be grateful for any help. I’m keen not to lower my head with both Adobe Inc. and Shapr3D Zrt.
Question:
How do I import a vector graphics file in order to extrude and further model in Shapr3D - considering the follow points:
Considerations:
The only common file types that export from Adobe Illustrator and import to Shapr3D are .dxf and .dwg (zip attached of sample files in each format and image of Adobe Illustrator options and very simple artwork)
Using no other software other than Adobe Illustrator and Shapr3D.
Not tracing and sketching new lines from an imported artwork image.
Not simply import using the aforementioned formats, they simply don’t work!
i’d be also interested in this because i generate my .svg files programmatically but i’m afraid there is no way to import vector graphics perfectly to Shapr3D at the moment. the only - very limited - solution is to convert your files to .dxf but that also converts all the curves to small straight lines so the quality is not the same.
i checked your .dxf file and importing it results in an error but after running it through a randomly selected online tool (google: fix dxf file) i could import it (in this ugly way :D):
Thanks for sharing, gex. Your input is certainly interesting. I really hope Shapr3D keeps this thread active, as it highlights the often-overlooked connection between design and marketing. The need for Adobe compatibility can’t be overstated, and I’d love to see the community rally behind the push for this feature. If Shapr3D can fill this significant gap, I’d gladly showcase their platform in the consumer products I design. Also the other topics on this subject tend to focus on ‘what’ and not the ‘why’!
I appreciate your workaround, but as your image demonstrates, there are limitations that can’t be ignored, especially when preserving the integrity of the original detail. A slight arc inaccuracy in a logo can lead to all sorts of copyright issues (don’t let me go there!). Our example was fairly straightforward; just think of the challenges we’d face with intricate logos or detailed user instructions that need to be embossed onto products!
To get the job done I found the best solution was to save artwork from Adobe illustrator in a high resolution image in .png format, then use a good .png to .dxf converter. The converter I used for a simple graphic which provided excellent vector quality is https://convertio.co/
So while new to Shapr 3D, importing graphics has always been interesting but I have a solution that solves the problem. Keep in mind that Adobe is constantly changing the export function so at times the options have changed but what always seems to work is using DWG as the export from Illustrator.
Here is the file in AI. Text converted to paths. I always make the lines .25pt and no fills. Hit export/export as and select DWG. Change file name if needed and hit, Export. new dialogue box shows with options. Select inches = 1 unit if drawing in inches or whatever units are appropriate for your settings. Autocad version 2018 Maximum edibility and hit OK.
I’m not sure why the term “marketing standard” was used, but Illustrator is now and has always been used for much more. It’s been the global illustration and design standard for production in countless industries and formats for over 25 years.
When the sketching abilities of Shapr3D are themselves some 20 years behind industry standards, it’s a tough pill to swallow not being able to import vectors easily from somewhere else in the most widely used formats. ai, svg, eps, vector-PDF.
I mean you can’t even do boolean operations or alignment on sketch elements in Shapr, so what’s the point? You have to move immediately to 3 dimensions to get anything done. But it would save so much time to lay out a complex shape as a sketch first.
I’m new to Shapr3d and 3d modeling in general with a background in graphic design. I’m also in this fight to get good geometry into shapr3d from illustration programs and am pretty frustrated that this kind of import seems to be stuck at the “kiddie table”.
I have a workmark/logo with relatively straightforward geometry but that’s also he issue - small, right curves wouldn’t show the issue as where large shallow curves are importing with low subdivision counts. I’m importing DXF/DWG files out from Affinity Designer 2. When I re-open the exported files, they original geometry is there, Bézier curve and all. In Shapr3d, big ole chunky curves. I don’t want to deal with Dasault/solidworks wildly overwraught UI and bonkers access hurtles just go get clean geometry into a 3d space.
[New users can only embed one graphic - see following posts]
Now an exported DXF file, reimported to Designer 2 shows that it contains the original geometry so the fault lies with the import into Sharpr3d.
[New users can only embed one graphic - see following posts]
I understand that the drawing/geometry systems are wildly different between the two systems but these two world have to exist properly since I’m sure the shapr team has no intention of building out a fully illustration system within the sketch function. Yes, I know that CAD systems see illustration and graphic design systems as other/lower but these are the systems that handle type written communication on a global scale. When any of this has to go to to the web or into print, shapr/fusion/SW/onshape are good for a few technical broadsheets and can’t typeset, let alone create usable publications.
So, yes, I’m using the pointy end of the stick to put systems like Shapr3D on notice and let them know that this is a vital function that needs to be a first class citizen in their app. I want to print my logo to sit on a display table an incorporate product displays into my logo. Imagine the attention it’ll get. But if I can only get 3rd grade level results, I’ll have to move to other solutions.
No, the answer is not to trace this from a jpeg. How are we supposed to iterate at the speed that shapr has worked so hard on if I’m constantly stuck reworking, tracing and screaming at a piece of software that’s not doing a job that’s fit for a computer.
I’m handing top-shelf geometry to Shapr3D and it needs to be treated as such.
Last entry has you removing the fills and using a stroke only after converting to curves (As noted on the previous post here).
So there’s a work around. I did this for my design and I’m now seeing my logo import as b-splines. Much better and I can live with that.
As for compound curves/shapes that’s still dropped functionality. Any subtracted space such as any letter with a “hole” in it - DPBAQ and such - all import as a stack of geometry pancakes and you have to go back and re-subtract any negative/hole area. It’s a lot of working around for what should be a straight shot import.
If nothing else - shapr folks need to provide guidance to illustrator/affinity deisnger/inkskape users on how to prepare for export.
And for (whatever) sake - please fix the compound geometry issue!!! We all know how letters and numbers work. And if you need to import complex geometry with a LOT of subtracted geometry this is a workflow killer. Imagine a QR code with a bunch of closed areas for example. Yes, I have a 3d printed QR code for my guest wifi in my house, for example. Clever and handy.
Seriously now, this seems like a real blind spot for the shapr3D community at the moment. The maker community will be importing stuff left and right to print since so much of it is non-serious, fun, goofy, sellable items.
Quick screenshot of DXF direct from Affinity Designer 2 after convert to curves, remove fill and add stroke (oddly unnecessary but OK). We now see the b-spline handles in the sketch. The “D” is two D shaped outlines piled on top of each other with no boolean subtract on import.
Note, these look the same but one on the right is trimmed so it shows different handle bars. I have found Shapr can’t handle uneven handle bars so it makes Affinity Designer not a reliable program to generate CAD DXF. I even signed up for Adobe Illustrator thinking I would get better results but it’s the same.
Imported in Shapr, 2 different looking sketches they should be the same.
