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Images in sketches

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    You may need to place artwork in parts to represent application of decals, painting, or silk screening. Use Insert Image to add artwork to a sketch, and then use Decal or Emboss to apply the image to a part face.

    What image types can be used in a sketch?

    You can insert images in a sketch from .doc, .xls, or any of the listed image types on the File Open dialog box drop-down list. Some examples include:

    • Use .bmp files created in a graphics program to insert textures and images.
    • Use .doc files to insert WordArt for logos or slogans.
    • Use .xls files to insert the print area for instructions, warnings, and notices.

    After you place an image in a sketch, use Decal and Emboss to achieve effects such as raised text, imprints, silk screens, and surface texture finishes. These commands can also conform the image to an irregular shape or surface.

    Can I resize or reposition an image?

    As you place an image in a sketch, a bounding rectangle shows you the size of the image. You can resize the image but you cannot change its aspect ratio . Its overall size changes, but not its proportions.

    You can use dimensions and constraints to position the image boundary. If necessary, you can use the Properties option on the context menu to flip or rotate the image.

    Can an image be made transparent?

    You can make an image transparent by using a mask . Right-click the image, choose Properties, and then click the Use Mask check box.

    To achieve better looking results use a lossless image format such as .BMP or .PNG. Avoid using low quality JPG/JPEG images. The following image shows demonstrates the difference between PNG (left) and JPG using standard compression.

    Can I turn off image visibility?

    You can turn the visibility of an image on and off, but the bounding rectangle is always visible because it can be used in sketch constraints and dimensions.

    Right-click the image in the graphics window or the browser and select the Visibility option. If the image has already had its visibility turned off, you can only turn its visibility back on by selecting the icon in the browser.

    You must activate a sketch to set the image visibility. In the part browser or the graphics window, right-click and select Edit Sketch. In the sketch browser, right-click the image icon, and then select Visibility.

    NoteYou can turn off visibility of the sketch. All sketch geometry, including the image and the bounding rectangle, is turned off.

    Can I refresh a changed image?

    If you selected the Link check box on the Open dialog box when you selected the image file, you can update the image if it has changed. Right-click the image in the browser and select Update to retrieve the latest version of the image file.

    If the image file is not linked, you must delete it and then replace it with a changed image.

     

    Procedures

    Add an image to a sketch

    You may need to represent application of decals, painting, or silk screening. Use Insert Image to add artwork to a sketch, and then use the Decal or Emboss commands on the Model tab to apply the image to a part face.

     
    1. Locate the image you want to add. Do one:
      • In a part sketch, click Model tab Sketch panel Create 2D Sketch, and then click the planar face or work plane to set the sketch plane. On the ribbon, click Sketch tab Insert panel Image.
      • In a drawing sketch for a new border, title block, or sketch symbol, click Insert, and then select Insert Image. Click the drawing sketch.
      • In a drawing with no sketch active, click Manage tab Insert panel Insert Object.
    2. In the Open dialog box, browse to the folder where the image file is located, and then click Open.
    3. The cursor is attached to the upper left corner of the image. Click in graphics window to place the image.
    4. Continue to place images or right-click and select Done.
    5. As needed, adjust the position of the image.
      • Click the image and drag to move it horizontally or vertically.
      • Click corners to pivot the image.
      • Click an edge to resize the image. It retains its original aspect ratio .
    6. Click an edge or corner of the image bounding rectangle , and then use constraint and dimension commands to precisely position the image boundary precisely.
    7. (Optional) Right-click the image in the graphics window or the icon in the browser to use options in the Image Properties dialog box.
    8. (Optional) Right-click the image in the graphics window or the icon in the browser to use options in the Image Properties dialog box.
      • The image might be reversed if the work plane normal is not facing you. In the Orientation box, click to rotate right or left or mirror horizontally or vertically.
      • In Transparency, click Use Mask to make the image transparent. The mask determines the color used for transparency.
    9. Save the file.
    NoteIf you selected the Link check box when selecting an image, right-click the image in the browser and select Update to retrieve the latest version.

    Show Me how to insert an image

     

    Delete an image from a sketch

    You can remove an image from a sketch, but you must first activate the sketch. Image types include .doc, .xls, .bmp or any of the image types listed on the File Open drop-down file list.

    1. In the part environment, right-click in the graphics window or the browser, and then select Edit Sketch.
    2. In the active sketch, right-click the image in the graphics window or the sketch browser, and then select Delete.

      If the image visibility is turned off, you can only select it in the sketch browser.

    NoteIf you delete a side of the bounding rectangle, the image is also deleted.

    If you prefer, you can temporarily turn off sketch visibility instead of deleting the image. In the active sketch, right-click the image in the graphics window or the sketch browser, and then select Visibility.

     

    Modify image properties

    When using the Insert Bitmap command on the Sketch tab, the inserted image may not be oriented correctly. You can modify image properties so that the image displays properly.

    1. Right-click an inserted bitmap, Word document, or Excel spreadsheet cell, and then select Properties.
    2. In the Image Properties dialog box, use direction buttons to change the image orientation. Click to rotate the image left or right or mirror the image vertically or horizontally.
    3. Select the Use Mask check box to make the image transparent. Clear the check box to make the image opaque.

    References

    Image properties

    Rotates or mirrors artwork added to a sketch and sets transparency mask.

    Access:

    Right-click an image, and then select Properties.

    Orientation

    Rotates image left or right or mirrors image vertically or horizontally.

    Transparency

    Select Use Mask check box to make the image transparent. Transparency color is the color of the lower right pixel of the image. Clear the check box to make the image opaque.