|
|
2D image to 3D Object
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
2D image to 3D Object // New Users
Post by jonecool // Nov 5, 2007, 6:04pm
|
jonecool
Total Posts: 6
|
Hi,
My Question First:
Is it possible within TS 6.6 to convert a 2D image (.bmp, .jpg or other format) to a 3D object? What I'm wanting is to import a 2D image, have the edges converted to an object that I can then Lathe and make into a 3D object. Is this possible within TS or do I need an external utility to do it?
Thanks!
Jon
---
I'm actually a long-time user/owner of trueSpace, however I've not used it for much more than "play" for the past 12 years. My first introduction to Caligari was on the Amiga (Calagari 24), then bought TS 1.0, 3.0, 4, 5 and just recently 6.6.
Aside from building a few objects in TS1-3 and some minor animations, I've honestly not done much with the product since TS 3 and not very familiar with the new UI format. Anyways, just a brief intro.
Looking forward to "Getting Back Into it!" :banana: |
Post by spacekdet // Nov 5, 2007, 6:47pm
|
spacekdet
Total Posts: 1360
|
I've loaded objects in .ai and .eps image format that result in a closed polygon shape that can then be lathed.
If you can convert your image files to these formats it's worth a try.
If the shape is not so terribly complex one other surefire method is to place the image on a plane and just trace the outline.
Make the plane the same size/ratio as the image, set it slightly below ground level and then using a Top View, trace the desired outline with the 'Draw Curve' tool. You may want to open 'File/Display Options' to set 'Tex res' higher for better detail.
This takes a little familiarity with the Curve tools. They are pretty basic so it's not hard.
When moving the control handles on a curve point keep in mind you can hold the Control Key to adjust them independently.
When you are happy with the shape, save it first into a Curve Library and then you can 'Convert NURBS Patch to polygon' for lathing or other regular polygon editing operations. |
Post by Scala3D // Nov 5, 2007, 6:49pm
|
Scala3D
Total Posts: 157
|
Hey Jon welcome back to TS. I too remember the Amiga and TrueSpace when it was called "Caligari". I believe you can to do in TS6.6. You can bring in your 2D image and use the trace tool to trace around your image and than extrude it. Is that what you had in mind? I have brought in a 2D GIF (animated series of images) file and converted it to a bump map animation and projected that animation on an object. To give it a 3D look on a wall while inside TS.
Welcome back to TS.
Scala3D |
Post by jonecool // Nov 5, 2007, 6:54pm
|
jonecool
Total Posts: 6
|
Thank you for your posts! I'll give these suggestions a try. What I'm basically wanting to do is convert a logo (CASL (http://www.caslsoft.com)) from a 2D image to a 3d object so that I can animate it. I bought the TS Flash Plugin as well when I upgraded to 6.6 so I wanted to make a slick fly-by animation of our logo.
Thanks again for your suggestions! Very much appreciated!! |
Post by Steinie // Nov 6, 2007, 2:15am
|
Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
|
Scala3D and Jonecool,
bringing back memories...
http://forums1.caligari.com/truespace/showthread.php?t=458&highlight=imagine |
Post by jamesmc // Nov 6, 2007, 7:26am
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
It's not too hard. Just make a logo in your 2D program and export as AI.
Make sure the object is grouped and there are no other images in the window when you export it as an AI file.
Then import as object into tS and extrude or lathe the surface. Here's an example.
Oh and something I forgot to do, if you use text - convert the text to an object in your 2d program or it won't import.:p |
Post by TomG // Nov 6, 2007, 10:18am
|
TomG
Total Posts: 3397
|
As others note the answer is "yes" if you use the right 2D format - that is something like AI or other vector format.
Using a bitmap format, the answer is no (so JPG, TGA, PNG, BMP etc). You would need to load your bitmap into a vector program and get it to convert to vector for you with edge detection etc. Then you are back to stage 1 of exporting in AI format and you are away!
The other route is indeed to load the bitmap into tS on a plane, then manually recreate the shape using that image on the plane as a template. May be the only route if your logo is bitmap and you don't have an app that handles 2D vector formats (may give better control over the end result with this approach too, as a plus).
HTH!
Tom |
Post by Scala3D // Nov 6, 2007, 10:49am
|
Scala3D
Total Posts: 157
|
Scala3D and Jonecool,
bringing back memories...
http://forums1.caligari.com/truespace/showthread.php?t=458&highlight=imagine
Wow, Steinie ... That thread does bring back the memories!!!! I loved my Amiga at the time. I too got my start using TS back when it was just "Caligari" on my Amiga 500..lol. It's true ...it's a very small world...lol. Thanks for the memories.
Scala3D |
Post by jonecool // Nov 6, 2007, 5:57pm
|
jonecool
Total Posts: 6
|
Amazing how responsive this group is, thanks!!
The 2D program that I've also used for years is PhotoImpact Pro. It supports eps, but unfortunately I couldn't get it to import into TS 6.6 (it stated unsupported format). There is not option for a .ai file format in PhotoImpact 10.
What 2D graphics software do you recommend (on the cheap side please, not Adobe Photoshop) Looks like I'm going to need to use another 2D tool to convert it to a .ai/.eps.
Thank you again for the recommendations, I've obviously been missing out on the TS forums all these years :( Better late than never, what a great and helpful community!
Jon |
Post by jamesmc // Nov 6, 2007, 7:01pm
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
Inkscape is a freeware tool that handles a lot of formats. I don't recall if it handles AI export, but it should.
Inkscape also has a nice bitmap tracing utility in it. This would come in handy if you want to make a tracing outline of bitmap art and need to change the color or perhaps send the outline into tS with AI.
There are a lot of vector based programs out there, I use Xara Xtreme. Adobe Illustrator is one, but is expensive.
I think I recall of using Paint Shop Pro AI export, but don't take my word on that. The problem with Paint Shop Pro is that it is not a true vector program and you won't get any precision out of it.
You can search by typing Raster to Vector converters or Bitmap to Vector converters.
Inkscape is probably the most powerful of all the freewares though. |
Post by TomG // Nov 7, 2007, 2:32am
|
TomG
Total Posts: 3397
|
One other option, for a one time solution at least, is to see if someone here on the forums might convert your file for you. True that won't solve the issue for every time you might want to do this, but it could be the fastest and most economic way to get this one project done.
I'd do that myself, except I am not very knowledgeable about using vector formats and so not guaranteed to get it right :)
Other than that, not sure what a good recommended program would be, let's see what suggestions folks have there!
Thanks!
Tom |
Post by jonecool // Nov 8, 2007, 3:10pm
|
jonecool
Total Posts: 6
|
Inkscape is a freeware tool that handles a lot of formats. I don't recall if it handles AI export, but it should.
Thank you for your reply. I tried various formats .ai, .eps, .ps all exported by Inkscape and attempted to import them into Caligari 6.6 --None worked. Complaining about various issues or tags that it didn't understand. I think the problem is in the 6.6 Load Object function. I'm getting the same results if I use Inkscape, Photo Impact 10 or PainShop Pro (trial version).
Has anyone successfully been able to import a .ai, .eps or .ps into TS 6.6? Just curious. I don't want to be a bother to someone else and will wind up doing it myself (even if I have to trace the logo manually). Although, before I give up on a more semi-automatic approach I want to find out what I'm doing wrong. Any further recommendations or assistance is greatly appreciated.
Jon |
Post by spacekdet // Nov 8, 2007, 4:34pm
|
spacekdet
Total Posts: 1360
|
I searched the old forums and came up with a few threads that might help.
One (http://forums.caligari.com/discus/messages/13682/14324.html?)
Two (http://forums.caligari.com/discus/messages/1578/19249.html?)
Three (http://forums.caligari.com/discus/messages/74/10334.html?)Hope that helps.
I've successfully imported them, but I had to have someone save them in the correct way for me first- I don't have Illustrator or Inkscape so I can't offer any help in how to set those up for correct export.
EDIT:
Just tried it with a random (albeit very simple) .ai file I had on my hard drive. It worked, and here are the settings that I adjusted before importing.
9500 |
Post by jamesmc // Nov 8, 2007, 4:44pm
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
Thank you for your reply. I tried various formats .ai, .eps, .ps all exported by Inkscape and attempted to import them into Caligari 6.6 --None worked. Complaining about various issues or tags that it didn't understand. I think the problem is in the 6.6 Load Object function. I'm getting the same results if I use Inkscape, Photo Impact 10 or PainShop Pro (trial version).
Has anyone successfully been able to import a .ai, .eps or .ps into TS 6.6? Just curious. I don't want to be a bother to someone else and will wind up doing it myself (even if I have to trace the logo manually). Although, before I give up on a more semi-automatic approach I want to find out what I'm doing wrong. Any further recommendations or assistance is greatly appreciated.
Jon
Not sure why it didn't work. I looked at inkscape and it doesn't have AI export, but has EPS and dwf, both should import okay ( I did and they imported)
After you draw your object in Inkscape, make sure you (EDIT - Select ALL) (OBJECT GROUP) (FILE - SAVE AS - Filename.eps)
Then import into tS66 as an eps file using (FILE>LOAD>OBJECT filename.eps)
I just extruded the faces of the circles, but you can extrude the lines as well. |
Post by jamesmc // Nov 8, 2007, 5:01pm
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
Here's another one. :) |
Post by jamesmc // Nov 8, 2007, 5:14pm
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
Here's an example of the powerful trace facility in Inkscape.
I traced a bitmap clock and then exported the trace as an eps into tS66.
Orangish Glass looking clock.
It has some errors as I did it it in a hurry.
Inkscape is pretty darn good for a freebie eh? :)
BTW, you can use the bitmap as a texture on your clock in truespace :) |
Post by jamesmc // Nov 8, 2007, 5:36pm
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
Here's yet another example of a Wonder Woman trace.
I didn't extrude anything and left the EPS import as is.
Note the black arm on the trace outline of wonderwoman. When you use the bezier line tool,you can trace and close polylines, therefore allowing you to modify the trace so you could possibly add texture after it is extruded with sweep in tS.
The other image in the scene is the color trace in inkscape of a bitmap. Color eps can be imported as well. :)
Okay, taking up enough of Norm's bandwidth, time to go to bed. :) |
Post by Burnart // Nov 8, 2007, 7:40pm
|
Burnart
Total Posts: 839
|
Some interesting info - thanks guys.
I have Inkspace it has some great features and is a bit limited in others but I'm sure it will develop. (Use to use a free version of Canvas until I finally figured out that all output had the resolution limited!) |
Post by jonecool // Nov 9, 2007, 12:55pm
|
jonecool
Total Posts: 6
|
Awsome information, thanks everyone! It must have been something I was doing wrong. I'll work with it again this weekend and try out the techniques mentioned here. I truly appreciate all the help!! |
Post by jonecool // Nov 9, 2007, 8:23pm
|
jonecool
Total Posts: 6
|
Thanks a million for all your help! As a result, I was able to get the logo imported and my first still image created.
9523
Thanks again!!
Jon |
Post by jamesmc // Nov 10, 2007, 7:57pm
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
Very nice Jonecool!
I have since found some more online Websites for converting Bitmap files.
Both free online utilities.
The first is bitmap to vector. One can use Inkscape, another free software to manipulate the images or use the EPS file directly to trueSpace.
http://vectormagic.stanford.edu/
Here's another, if you want to combine text and images and save them to PDF.
http://convert.neevia.com/
Both online utilities, so no software to download. |
|
