Modelling with pictures as reference

Fredrik Elfström

13 Mar, 2023 07:43 PM

A quick tutorial on how to use images as reference to model real life objects in SOLIDWORKS. This is a useful technique for shapes that is otherwise hard to measure, like double curved surfaces.

1. Step 1: Take pictures of the object

   For this technique you have to first take pictures of the object you plan to model.

   Make sure to take the pictures with the top- front- and right plane in SOLIDWORKS in mind.

   For best results i recommend to use a background color with contrast to the object and taking the picture with as little perspective as possible. I usually distance the camera far away from the object and then zoom in tho make the model fit the frame snug.

   Also make sure that you have at least one dimension that you can easily measure in real life clearly visible in the pictures.

   Here are the reference pictures i will be using:

   

   

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   

2. Step 2: Import the picture into a plane

   To import the picture onto a plane, start a new sketch on a plane by selecting the plane and pressing the sketch button, I'll select the front plane.

   Once you have started the new sketch go to:

   Tools - Sketch Tools - Sketch Picture

   

   Here you can browse for your desired picture select it and press OK. I'll choose the front view.

3. Step 3: Mooving and scaling the picture to size

   You should be greeted with this after importing the picture:

   

   You now have the ability to scale and move the picture around on the plane. I usually start by roughly scaling and moving the model into a decent place. Place the model in a way that you can use the origin point and the standard sketch planes to your advantage when modeling later, planes can be used to mirror your model cutting the modelling time in half.

   I'll place the model with the origin at the very bottom of the picture so i can use the right plane as a mirror plane later.

   

   To ensure that your picture is to scale we will use the scaling line that showed up next to the picture when importing it. Place the scaling line between a known dimension in the real object. I know that the razor in it's entirety is 160 mm long.

   

   Insert the known dimension in the scale tool input box that pops upp after moving the scale line. Your picture should now have the correct dimension in SOLIDWORKS.

   Double check that the model is correctly placed and scaled, and once your satisfied, hit the green checkbox.

4. Step 4: Import a different view

   To import a different view, simply select another sketch plane and repeat step 2 - 3.

   Rotate the 3D-space to make sure your pictures is aligned with each other.

   Repeat the procedure as many times as desired for your model. If you need more views your object, you can create mere sketch planes at different heights or angles.

   Here is how my pictures looked after i imported three views:

   

   
   

5. Step 5: Modeling

   You can now use these imported pictures to start modeling easy or complex shapes! Simply start a sketch on one of the planes with a picture and trace the contours of the pictures. I recommend splines for double curved surfaces.

   

   After some tinkering using tools such as projected curve, surface loft, splitline and boundary surface i came up with this basic shape of the razor:

   

   And after a while you can get results like this using the reference pictures:

   

   Hope you found this tutorial useful, feel free ask if you have any questions!

   
   

   Kind regards,

   Fredrik