Create Gimp Drawing With Concentric Circles

Week 2 Computer-Aided Design

The major tasks of the first calendar week include:

Explore different computer-aided design tools
- Raster
  - GIMP
- Vector
  - Inkscape
  - CorelDRAW
- 3D Design and Simulation
  - Fusion 360

Skillsets Gained: Vector Graphic Drawing, 3D modeling, Video making
Software Used: GIMP, Inkscape, CorelDRAW, Fusion 360

My major goal of this calendar week has been creating the clock face for my project. I am envisioning to have a clock face with steampunk elements, which volition include a collection of gears.Thus, in guild to create the gears images, I accept tried the following methods:
● Removing background of existing design
● Drawing vectors from skecthes
● Developing 3D models based on vector(svg) files

I have also replicate some interesting designs by opposite engineering.

Raster

GIMP
I take chosen GIMP for raster graphic processing. In many ways, GIMP can serve as a free version of Adobe photoshop. For example, GIMP provides a convenient style of removing the non-transparent background of a movie.

Stride 1:
Import the image file and employ Color Selection part to select the gear region. Because our goal is to remove the groundwork, an alpha layer, which is transparent, should be created.

Step 2:
Use the Reverse Selection office to select the groundwork and to retain the paradigm itself.

Invert Selection — Step 2 - Invert Option

Pace 3:
Apply the Edit Tab >> Clear function.

Clear Background — Step iii - Clear Groundwork

Then the background volition be successfully removed.

In general, GIMP is very easy to use and accept many convenient functions. Withal, maybe it is due to my novice in using this software, the quality of the processed image is not ideal. Moreover, because the raster format pictures provide very limited support to the following modeling process, I spent the majority time in exploring vector design tools.

Vector

I take tried both Inkscape and CorelDRAW for vector graphic processing. Inkscape is a very powerful open-sourced tool with simple User interface, while CorelDRAW is a design tool with excellent User interface simply provides only 16 days of trials. I prefer to utilise CorelDRAW considering of its wonderful UI blueprint.

Inkscape
Inkscape can provide many useful functions, equally shown in the screenshot. Users tin easily create common shapes and objects. Yet, to me, the User Interface is not in its best version. The menu items buttons are tiny (which may exist due to my computer configuration) and that will slow down the users' operation according to Fitts'southward constabulary.

Inkscape Interface — My Tiny Issues with Inkscape

Also, there are tiny issues that practice not fit well with my habits. For example, as shown in the screenshot, I take aligned the blue circumvolve and the triangle by centering them on both the vertical axis and horizontal axis. But apparently, the two shapes are not concentric as expectednot concentric equally expected. Hence, I switched to other software.

CorelDRAW
From my betoken of view, CorelDRAW has like settings to Inkscape but with a amend user interface design and more user-friendly shortcuts. CorelDRAW is not open-sourced, but information technology provides a 16-mean solar day trial. Thus, it may be a good idea to finish all the vector designs inside 2 weeks before the temporary license expires.
CorelDRAW provides swell support in creating the 2D design of gears. By rotating and integrating the common shapes, such equally circles, triangles, and trapezoid, I was able to create gears with very simple procedures.

Creating a gear in CorelDRAW

Pace 1: create ii concentric circles post-obit these procedures:
1.Using the Elipse push on the left menu bar while pressing Ctrl button on the keyboard to create a circle
2.Pressing Shift on the Keyboard and adjusting the size of the circumvolve
iii.When the second circle reaches the ideal size, right-click the mouse and the 2nd circle will be created.
four.Use the Boolean function to brand a ring shape for the gear:
Select the 2 concentric circles. Select the Trim tab on the summit toolbar to remove the overlapping circle and retain the ring shape.

Create concentric circles — Create the Ring

If this is for 2D blueprint, colors can exist added at this indicate. Users can either use the colour console on the correct bottom corner of the interface or directly elevate the color from the right toolbar to the selected object. Dragging to alter color can employ to both the fill and edge colors.

Step ii: create the gear tooth:
ane. Click on the Common Shapes on the left toolbar
2. Select the trapezoid shape on the top toolbar
iii. Create a trapezoid and align it to the ring shape by centering them vertically

Step iii: create more gear teeth:
1. Admission the Transform function: Window >> Dockers >> Transform
2. Change the rotation center: click on the trapezoid to evoke the rotate mode and drag the rotate eye to the middle of the ring
3. Input the platonic rotate bending and number of copies in the transform docker
After clicking "Apply" push, the gear teeth are created.

By calculation more elements and shapes on the basic gears and well utilizing the transform function, it is not hard to generate aesthetically pleasing gear designs.

Tips for Novice Like Me

● Group elements before alignment can avoid unexpected adjustment errors.
● Do not forget to change the rotation center otherwise it volition spin around its default eye.
● Creating Concentric shapes: Press SHIFT when adjusting an element and then right click.
● When elements overlap together and go hard to select, use the Object Docker

Creating gear SVG files for 3D modeling
It is possible to export the gear design as SVG files that tin exist direct used by 3D modeling software like Fusion 360. However, in this case, information technology is crucial to ensure the shape has a closed profile, otherwise, the 3D design software volition non well recognize the unlike sections of the gear. Due to my novice in graphic design, my way of creating the airtight contour is based on Boolean calcultion, which may be a less optimal pick. I volition update this section, if I found a amend method of closing the profile. By far, I take been creating a gear vector for 3D modeling purely based on Boolean function and hence follow a different ready of procedures.

Step 1: Similar to the previous pattern:
Create circles>> Trim the Boolean overlap >>Create trapezoid >>Centre by vertical
1. Create concentric circles and trim them
2. Create a rectangle and rotate by ninety° and make ane copy
3. Create a trapezoid and rotate by 30° and make 11 copies
iv. Select all components and used the Boolean Weld function located on the top toolbar
5. Export SVG files: File tab >> Export >> Choose SVG format

Creating the basic elements for SVG gear — Creating the Basic Elements for SVG Gear

It is of import to ensure the profile of the combined shape is closed, otherwise the lines will not be accurately recognized by 3D design modeling tools.

3D Design

Fusion 360
I used Fusion 360 for 3D pattern. Fusion 360 software is a 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool from Autodesk, which provides free education licenses to students with University email addresses. It provides stiff support to 3D design modeling, rendering, simulation, and digital fabrication.

Instead of sketching in Fusion 360, I choose to import SVG files that I created using CorelDRAW. The SVG file tin be placed either on a surface on an object or on the platform. The most important consequence in this process is to ensure the contour of shapes are closed and accurately recognized. Aligning tin can be made with Fusion 360 if the design recognition is non perfect.

Curve the pattern on a surface
Footstep 1: Select Platform and create a circle