Volkswagen Logo
Overview
In this tutorial we will be going through how to use ArtCAM’s vector fitting and editing tools in conjunction with a picture image. We will explore the different methods of fitting the vectors to an image so that we can acquire vectors to be used when building the 3D relief. This process of fitting the vectors to this image in this example is done mostly using the manual method but it will hopefully demonstrate to you how fast, easy and flexible the software can be for Vectorizing a raster image.
 
Getting Started; Opening The Image
We will begin the project by loading in the starting artwork-image that we are planning to use to acquire the design vectors.
1. Click on the Open file option in order to choose the image to load in.
2. Be sure to change the Files of type option in the open dialog box to display .jpg files.
3. Select and load the file called VWLogo.jpg
4. On the Set Model Size page change the units to inches and adjust the Height to be 1”, Click OK to accept.
Vectorizing The Image
We will begin the project by getting the image ready to work with and then we will move onto manually drawing the vector to fit the image.
1. From the Model Toolbar use the Reduce Colours option and reduce the colours of the model from 48 to 2.
The first few vectors that we will fit to the image are going to be the circular ring vectors. Be aware that the circles may not match up perfectly with the raster image. We will ensure that everything is symmetrical later in the project so there is no need to worry if the vectors are not exactly on the bitmap. The important part is that the circles we create all share the same common centre point.
2. Create a circle vector with the circle centre at X: 0.5”X Y: 0.5” Start off with a circle Diameter size of 0.4” and hit the Preview button.
3. In the work screen area use the adjustment-sizing node to enlarge the size of this circle to match up with the image.
Use your own judgement and create the circle to a size where we can move the vector around and adjust it to the logo image. The circle we ended up fitting was 0.675” Diameter.
4. Create the circle.
5. Close the circle creation menu.
6. On the Layers Tab change the vector colour on the default layer to Pink so that there is a contrast between the vector and coloured image.
7. In the work area select this circular vector and use the arrow keys to move and adjust it to better match the image.
Nudging it Up 2 times and to the Left 1 time seemed to position the vector fairly central to the raster image.
8. With the circular vector selected, from the RM menu select the Edit Circle option. This will reopen the circle creation menu.
9. Hit apply to confirm that you want to leave a copy of this circular vector in the current position.
The new circle centre location after we have moved the first circle we created is X: 0.4963” and Y: 0.5075. The adjusted circle Diameter size is 0.8524”.
10. After this circle has been re-applied and created it is now possible to adjust the circle to a larger size in order to create a vector for the next required area.
Sizing node has been circled in red to assist with sizing for the second circle.
11. Once adjusted to satisfaction, hit the Create button in the circle editing menu.
12. Again use the sizing node, adjust a third circle to suite the final circular vector required.
13. Hit the Create button and Close the Circle Editing menu.
To further help and assist with seeing the vectors in the 2D view work area try changing the solid black colour to something much lighter such as grey.
14. Add the colour Grey into the colour palette.
15. Select Grey as your primary colour and Black as your secondary colour .
16. Use the Merge Vector function from the 2D toolbar to turn the colour black into Grey. This will help with the contrast of the vector.
大众汽车新logoWith the circles fitted to the logo we are now ready to move onto the centre of the logo and finish fitting the design vectors.
17. Activate the Polyline Tool to begin tracing the inside detail.
Start at the inside top of the logo and work your way down towards the bottom.
Review the pictures below to help get an idea of where and how to trace the inside details:
Remember that using the TAB key when creating Polylines is a fast way to close the shape.