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Sketch Picture PropertyManager: Page 2

The second page of the Sketch Picture PropertyManager enables you to trace outlines or select areas by color to create vector data. This creates a sketch that you can save and edit as needed.

Some uses include converting:
  • Company logos
  • Scanned geometric designs:
    scanned_geometry_auto_trace.gif

The second page of the Sketch Picture PropertyManager is only available as an add-in. Click Tools > Add-Ins, then select Autotrace in the dialog box.

Click PM_next.gif, and from the second page of the Sketch Picture PropertyManager, apply these parameters to convert raster data to vector data:

Trace Settings

  Selection Tools

Use to select rectangular areas
PM_UseRectangularAreas_AutoTrace.gif

Select rectangular areas.
select_rectangular_auto_trace.gif

Use to select freehand areas
PM_UseFreeHandAreas_AutoTrace.gif

Select irregularly shaped areas by tracing consecutive straight and curved lines.
select_freehand_auto_trace.gif

Use to select polygonal areas
PM_UsePolygonalAreas_AutoTrace.gif

Select polygonal areas by tracing consecutive straight lines.
select_polygonal_auto_trace.gif

Use to select color eye_dropper.png Button

Select area based on color.
select_color_auto_trace.gif

PM_ColorSelected_AutoTrace.gif Indicates color selected with Use to select color eye_dropper.png Button selection tool.
  Begin Trace Displays the results of your area or color selection.

Preview Settings

Show source image  
Show traced geometry Select or clear to display the traced geometry selected for conversion.
show_trace_geometry_cleared.gif show_trace_geometry_selected.gif
Show source image selected Show source image and Show traced geometry selected
show_trace_sel-show source-clear.gif
Show source image cleared and Show traced geometry selected

Adjustments

All sliders adjust the level of the source image.
Image brightness Adjusts the luminance level.
  brightness-high_auto_trace.gifbrightness-low_auto_trace.gif
Image contrast Adjusts the difference between light and dark areas.
  contrast_auto_trace_low.gifcontrast_auto_trace_high.gif
Color tolerance Adjusts the degree to which the application recognizes the selected color.
  color_tolerance_oval_01.gif
  color_tolerance_oval_03.gif
  color_tolerance_oval_04.gif
Recognition tolerance Adjusts the degree to which the trace you created matches the geometry.

Video: Auto Trace Recognition Tolerance

Apply

Apply Click Apply to validate the trace geometry.
The trace geometry does not become SolidWorks geometry that you can save as a .sldprt file until after you exit the Sketch Picture PropertyManager.


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