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Converting & Transforming Technical Graphics
Don Larson, CEO, Larson Software Technology
David Manock, President, Vizualsite LLC.
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Valuable Content Transformed
• Document Digitization• XML and HTML Conversion• eBook Production• Hosted Solutions• Big Data Automation• Conversion Management• Editorial Services• Harmonizer
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Experience the DCL Difference
DCL blends years of conversion experience with cutting-edge technology and the infrastructure to make the process easy and efficient.
• World-Class Services• Leading-Edge Technology• Unparalleled Infrastructure• US-Based Management• Complex-Content Expertise• 24/7 Online Project Tracking• Automated Quality Control• Global Capabilities
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We Serve a Very Broad Client Base . . .
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. . . Spanning All Industries
• Aerospace• Associations• Defense• Distribution• Education• Financial • Government • Libraries • Life Sciences • Manufacturing• Medical • Museums
• Periodicals
• Professional• Publishing • Reference • Research • Societies • Software• STM• Technology• Telecommunications• Universities • Utilities
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• Based in Houston, Texas• Founded in 1984, CGM Experts for 30 years• Develops & markets graphics software tools , based on open
standards• Promoting CGM Usage, VizEx Reader a free CGM and TIFF viewer• Member of the CGM Open Foundation• Larson products used in Technical Publishing by Aerospace,
Defense and Heavy Manufacturing.• Used to create, maintain and deploy technical graphics• More information available at www.cgmlarson.com
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Webinar Objectives
• Provide lessons learned when transforming technical graphics• Focus on the primary graphic source formats
– Raster and Vector data
• Describe the data preparation considerations and techniques to achieve the best results
• Highlight the pitfalls of graphic conversion• Provide Tips, Benefits, Advice and Knowledge during the
webinar• Summarize the graphic conversion and transformation
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Introduction
• The reuse of technical graphics produced in varying formats can be a significant challenge during the publications production process
• Different file formats can present different issues and resolutions
• Quality is a major consideration for the source data and output requirement for publishing
• Using ‘Best Practice’ will reduce production time and costs
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Today’s Technical Graphics Process• Technical graphics are usually originated, generated or revised in
a electronic format– Can also be legacy raster, a scan of a hard copy illustrations
• The most likely starting point for a new technical graphic today is from a CAD system– This could be 2D or 3D CAD source data
• Spare part illustrations• Schematics• Wiring Diagrams
• Drawing from scratch – could be quicker– Dependent of availability and suitability of CAD data– Create illustration using a photograph as a template
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KNOWLEDGE:Computer Aided Design is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D drawings of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products.
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Possible Data Sources• Raster file– Legacy format• Scanned line art illustrations
– Intermediate format• Exported from 3rd party software, CAD System?• Photographs a good example
• Vector graphics– 2D or 3D CAD system
• Many formats are possible and used– Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW– PDF
• Embedded vector and raster data
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KNOWLEDGE:The word Raster originates from the term 'raster scan,' which was how old CRT monitors displayed images, by magnetically steering a concentrated electron beam line by line to form an image.
KNOWLEDGE:Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygons—all of which are based on mathematical expressions—to represent images in computer graphics.
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Poll #1
1. What source file formats do you use to generate your technical graphics?
Raster – Scans of original illustrations Raster – Intermediate format, raster
from CAD, photographic Vector – Adobe Illustrator,
PDF or other graphics format Vector – CAD 2D Vector – CAD 3D
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Raster Data
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Introduction – Raster Data• Raster Data still plays a significant role in the technical
publications process• Source – e.g. photographs• Original – e.g. scanned line art• Delivery – e.g. TIFF files
• Analysis of raster data can prove to be beneficial• Allowing the optimization of the production process
• Raster Data may require enhancements with the addition of hotspots• We will investigate the possible pitfalls of this process (OCR)
• Raster Data as an intermediate format• Correct decision at the time but now alternatives could exist?• Photographic files, intermediate and delivery
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Hard Copy Scan – Raster Data
• Legacy Raster Data is usually the result of a hard copy scan
• If the original no longer exists littlecan be done to improve quality
• Quality• Dependent on scan resolution• What generation?
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Clean Up – Raster Data• Quality of the legacy scan - Considerations?
– It is unlikely you will be able to improve the quality of a scan apart from a general clean up
• TIP: clean up scans using the well known raster editors, for example Adobe Photoshop & Corel Photo-Paint– The scans sometimes contain sporadic pixels (Noise) not part of
the main image• The pixels can be removed using software functions, for example
– Corel Photo Paint » Remove Noise
– Adobe Photoshop» Despeckle» Dust & Scratches
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File Formats – Raster Data• Raster File Formats
• TIFF is the most common raster format for line art scans, usually using a compression algorithm to reduce the file size
• Other raster formats include:– JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)– BMP (Bitmap Image File)– PNG (Portable Network Graphic)– PCX (PiCture eXchange)– GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
• TIP: Specifications compliance toS1000D etc.
• Save the TIFF as part of a CGM file• It will retain its quality and properties• It can also be combined with Vector data
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KNOWLEDGE - TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)Industry-standard method for storing scanned and other digital black-and-white, grayscale, and full-color images. Developed mainly for desktop publishing, TIFF has found applications in several other areas such as computer aided design (CAD), fax transmission. TIFF saves detailed image information with each pixel, resulting in a relatively large data file.
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Properties - Raster Legacy• DPI (Dots Per Inch) better known as image
resolution• The DPI is a major factor when determining
the scan quality (200-300 DPI a good baseline)• TIP: Right click the file and select Properties
– The smaller the number the lower the quality– The publishing of the illustration is a major
factor when considering if the DPI is acceptable• Higher resolution to maintain quality for print• The display on a laptop screen for example the
DPI can be lower but if the viewing tool can zoom the user will see deterioration as they zoom-in
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Demo
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Comparison ViewingRaster Data and Vector Data
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Analysis – Raster Legacy
• TIP: Evaluate manually re-drawing as a vector illustration– Assess the longevity of the graphic and its future use• The cost versus use
– Does the legacy illustration now exist in a CAD format• If yes, could be repurposed
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Auto-trace – Raster Legacy• An alternative to manual re-draw is Auto-Trace• The two major mass market graphics
programs both have the facility• CorelDRAW - Centerline Trace• Adobe Illustrator – Image Trace
• TIP: Perform tests on typical files before committing to this strategy
• It could be quicker to re-drawthan clean-up the trace
• ADVICE: consider the longevity of the file how many more revisions could take place
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Transforming – Raster Data• Resizing, rotating etc. impacts the quality of the image• The technical term is Interpolation• In basic terms the pixels have to be remapped when
transformed• ADVICE: this can effect the quality of your image• TIP: Artifact’s of interpolation can be used to improve the
appearance
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HaloBlurringAnti-aliasing
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Intermediate Raster Data• Raster data can also originate from 3rd party software
• Example's, CAD, Graphics software etc.• The possible reasons for using raster export:
• The limitation's of the export options• The limitation's of the import options of target publishing software• Historical – we’ve always done it that way?
• ADVICE:• Validate the export settings being used
– Is it possible to increase the DPI of the export?• Is a vector option available?
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Intermediate Raster Data - 2• Photographic data has always played an important
role in publications
• Predominantly used as a maintenance type illustration• It can be used directly and annotated appropriately
• Alternative, the photograph can be used as a template• Traced to create line art vector version (Automotive)• BENEFIT: Relevant information can be highlighted and be
distinct
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Poll #2
1. Do your graphics require hotspots?
Yes No In the future
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OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
• The BIG question why OCR a raster technical illustration?• Primary reason, illustration requires hotspot regions
• OCR is a very good way of achieving a defined region• Dependency on quality of raster text• Spare Part illustrations are more likely to have hotspots
• ADVICE: Assess suitability for OCR – is image capable of graphic hot spotting?
• TIP: Data Analysis Steps:• Determine if characters sufficiently formed to make OCR viable?• Best Practice: Test a generic subset of data to determine viability• Use test results to select the best process
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OCR (Optical Character Recognition) 2
• Test Passed:– Convert the whole batch of files using OCR software
• Test Fails:– There are probably 2 options:
1. Regenerate the required text for the graphic and include hotspot information
2. Manually Hotspot the raster Data (Overlay)
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Demo
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Automated Hotspotting - OCR Process
Manual Hotspotting Process
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Vector Data
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Introduction - Vector Data• Vector Data can be in varied formats
• In the majority of cases it is preferable to Raster Data, mainly for quality reasons
• BENEFIT: Vector Data can be scaled and the quality is maintained• True both for hard copy and on a computer display
• The display of a vector file, enhanced display by using anti-aliasing • This ability will be software dependent (Viewer)
• Vector Data Sources, the most common:• CAD Systems• General Graphics Software• PDF• Technical Writing software
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KNOWLEDGE:Anti-Aliasing (in computer graphics) a technique used to add greater realism to a digital image by smoothing jagged edges on curved lines and diagonals.
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CAD Systems – Vector Data
• CAD Systems• Autodesk Inventor• Autocad• Catia• Creo Parametric (ProE)• Solidworks• Solid Edge• Siemens NX (Unigraphics)
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Poll #3
• What CAD System/s does your company use?
AutodeskCatiaPTC Creo Parametric (ProE)Siemens NX - UnigraphicsSolidworks
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CAD File Formats – Vector Data • CAD File Formats– 3D Data
• CAD Native files– DWG native file format for AutoCAD data files
• VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language)• IGES• STEP (Standard for the Exchange of
Product model data)– ISO 10303 Standard
– 2D Data• DXF• DWG• CGM• PDF
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KNOWLEDGE:Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) is a vendor-neutral file format that allows the digital exchange of information among computer-aided design (CAD) systems.
KNOWLEDGE:Data Exchange File (DXF) The format is a tagged data representation of all the information contained in an AutoCAD® drawing file.
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Demo
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Open 2D CAD Data (DWG)
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CAD Data/Takeaways – Vector Data
• Considerations when using CAD files– File sizes
• 3D files sizes can be challenging – Select data exchange file formats carefully
• Converted CAD files can contain polylines that increase file size• Conversion to a 2D file format, for example CGM will provide a
more suitable file for publishing purposes– Removal of Extraneous Information
• Layers • Legends• Text
– The process needs to be automatic to be cost effective
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CAD Data/Takeaways – Vector Data - 2
• Editing– Polylines can make the file difficult to edit (not Bezier
curves)• Text can also be sometimes be converted to vector lines
– Text mapping can be an issue• Font substitution• Character positioning
• ADVICE: Make sure text does not obscure the illustration– Wiring diagrams can be challenging
• Text in tight areas
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General Graphics Software – Vector Data
• General Mass Market Graphics Software– 2D Data
• Adobe Illustrator• CorelDRAW X7
• Commercial Industry requirements for graphic publishing are usually satisfied common formats:
• AI (Adobe Illustrator)• PDF (Portable Document Format)• DWG• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic)
• Specification driven industries may well require the CGM format e.g. S1000D and ATA– TIP: CorelDraw X7 does support CGM but not the profiles required for
specification compliance
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Graphics Software Takeaways – Vector Data
• Very good choice of export formats– PDF is now an open format so good potential to use as archive– SVG another open format
• ADVICE: SVG probably not a good choice for an archive format • File sizes
– Very good, usually small and easy to handle • Good compatibility with publishing software• ADVICE:
– Do not support the CGM format for compliance with industry specifications
– Not capable of adding hotspot information for use in Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETM’s)
• TIP: To be specification compliant save as a TIFF, not ideal37
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Specialist Illustration Software – Vector Data
• 2D– PTC Arbortext IsoDraw – 3D import– Corel DESIGNER X7 – 3D import– Larson’s VizEx Edit – Native CGM– Auto-Trol - Tech Illustrator– Cortona2D Editor Pro– Antea’s Leonardo
• IsoDraw & Corel Designer Application
• 3D– CREO Illustrate– 3DVIA Composer– Cortona’s Rapid Manual
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Specialist Software Takeaways – Vector Data
• Used in all areas of manufacturing – Including specification's driven Aerospace and Defense
industries– Support for CGM is a given
• Cost generally higher than general graphics software– Specific functionality will earn pay back
• Very good choice of import and export formats• Very good handling of both 2D and 3D files• Good compatibility with publishing software
– Especially electronic delivery for IETM’s
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PDF Format – Vector Data• PDF (Portable Document Format)• In 2008 PDF became an ISO standard
– ISO International Standard - ISO 32000-1• All new releases of the format are governed by ISO• Interoperability was always the mission for PDF,
ISO governance can only strengthen this objective
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KNOWLEDGE:Portable Document Format (PDF)A file format used to present and exchange documents reliably, independent of software, hardware, or operating system.
KNOWLEDGE:ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental membership organization and the world's largest developer of voluntary International Standards.
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PDF Format – Vector Data 2• PDF was based on PostScript another Adobe technology
– Therefore it does support graphic primitives– Lines, Bezier curves etc.– Can also contain raster data
• BENEFIT: You can open a PDF file in different graphics programs and edit them
• ADVICE: Not all PDF files are creating equal, it is possible older PDF files will not have a vector structure
• TIP: PDF can be a good export option from a CAD system
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Demo
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Open PDF file
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Technical Writing Software – Vector Data
• Technical Writing Software can contain graphics– Framemaker– Arbortext Editor– oXygen– ETC.
• There are methods of retrieving the data– The method will vary depending on software– Raster or Vector Data
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CGM Supports Raster & Vector Data
• Another good 2D format to consider is CGM• CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile)
– An Open Non-Proprietary format– Actively governed and developed by the CGM Open Foundation
www.cgmopen.org – Ability to contain both Raster and Vector Data and retain attributes– Specifications compliant, S1000D and ATA– Interoperable– Can contain metadata, for example can contain hotspot
information• TIP: Specialist software the best option to maintain CGM files
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Summary• There are many opportunities to source information and
produce technical graphics• The number of source and publishing formats are diverse
– Selecting the appropriate format and software can be a challenge• The primary considerations should be, quality, re-use and
publishing– Ideally choose a format that answers all of these criteria– Software needs to be flexible, a combination of solutions may be
required• We hope todays webinar has been informative and the topics
interesting and useful
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Q&A
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Mark GrossPresident & CEO,
Data Conversion Laboratory(718) 307-5711
[email protected]@dclaboratory
Don LarsonCEO
Larson Software Technology713-977-4177
@cgmlarson
