Advice on software to do a 2d drawing

Discussion in 'Software' started by captf44, Jun 10, 2015.

  1. captf44
    Joined: Jun 2015
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    captf44 New Member

    Hello everyone

    New to this great site! I would like to be able to upload a photo of my boat and trace it to make a line drawing. what software should I use ? also are there any tutorials on how to do this? Any help would greatly be appreciated.
     
  2. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    Do you want to trace over the photo to create a drawing of the photo, or do you want to create a set of "lines" of the shape of the hull starting with the photo?
     
  3. captf44
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    captf44 New Member

    I would like to create a set of lines using the photo
     
  4. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    A set of lines is a three view representation of a body. You would need to take many photos from different angles and stitch them. There is software that does that, but don't know how accurate it is. There are other methods that can give you a set of lines. From the high tech laser scanning to the traditional pulling of measurements.
     
  5. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    It is not possible to create a set of lines from a single photo. It is possible to create a 3D virtual model from a set of photos, and then to create a lines drawing from the 3D virtual model. Some learning and practice is needed.

    I use usually PhotoScan software to process photos and create a mesh model, and then Rhino 3D to refine the mesh model and create a set of lines. For boats with clean, glossy paint/gelcoat finishes I use PhotoModeler software with applied targets.
     
  6. Ad Hoc
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    Ad Hoc Naval Architect

    Then you haven't seen Paramarine lines creation software.

    I was the agent for this software several years ago. One can scan in an image, a 2D picture from a magazine, select a few key-points and in seconds it creates a 'best guess' of the shape and produces a set of lines. It was very impressive.
     
  7. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Do you need to input dimensions?
     
  8. Ad Hoc
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    Ad Hoc Naval Architect

    Nope...just scan in the image as a bitmap...then select what you want using a mouse. That's it.
     
  9. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    How does it figure out, for example, the beam from a sideways photo?
     
  10. Ad Hoc
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    Ad Hoc Naval Architect

    Beyond me..lots of very advanced and clever maths. You'd have to ask the software engineers how they did it.

    But it is extremely impressive to see...and scary too!!
     
  11. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    We use software on a microscope that uses focus to calculate distance and creates a 3D of any surface to 0.01 micron. It could be used on a larger scale. I am really impressed that anyone can produce 3D out of a photo.
     
  12. daiquiri
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    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    Button-pushers' wet dream. ;)
     
  13. captf44
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    captf44 New Member

    OK. I think I am using the wrong terms. I just wan to trace a photo of my boat to create a simple 2d drawing. Similar to the drawings you find on the back of T shirts that boat owners have made
     
  14. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
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    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    You need a software which can transform raster images (bmp, jpg) into vectorial ones.
    You might try this free online tool: http://www.autotracer.org/ just upload your pic, choose the output format (even dxf is available), eventually modify the output options and hit the "send File" button.
    The web page will return the vectorial version of your picture.
    Hope it helps.
    Cheers
     

  15. captf44
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    captf44 New Member

    What about an autocad type software where i can trace what lines I want to go for a simpler design?
     
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