top of page
Search
Writer's pictureVladimir Mariano

3D Print a 2D Image

Updated: Jul 14, 2021

I regularly post Fusion 360 tutorials and projects to my youtube channel.



At my college makerspace, at least a few times a semester, a student will come to me with a picture and ask to 3D print it. I’ll explain that you can’t 3D print a 2D picture.


Well, this is partly true. It’s true that you can’t simply draw a picture of a spherical soccer ball and 3D print it but there are cases where this is possible.


If the 3D object consists of a profile that is extruded to give it thickness, then this is absolutely possible. Examples of these can include jewelry, brackets, and logos as I’ll demonstrate below.



Take a look at the golden ratio earrings above. In my Fusion 360 Next Level Course, I use this model to teach how to enter user defined parameters to incorporate mathematical formulas and relations into your designs, but that is a topic for a different day.


Today I simply want to focus on the simple 3D shape. It basically consists of a 2D drawing that is extruded in the Z direction.


The shamrock earring above uses the same procedure. And in the video below I show how I made it by creating the 2D sketch directly in Fusion 360.




If you were starting with a hand drawing, the workflow would look something like this:

  • Draw the image by hand on a piece of paper

  • Scan the drawing

  • Bring it into Adobe Illustrator or similar software

  • Perform an image trace

  • Export it as an svg file

  • Open the svg file in Fusion 360

  • Extrude and 3D print

I actually keep a digital paper scanner in the makerspace for this exact workflow. It’s also a great workflow for the laser cutter.


Instead of drawing the image by hand or sketching it in Fusion 360, you can also create it in a vector design software. Nowadays, there are many vector design software out there (example of these include Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Corel Draw, Affinity Designer, Vectr, etc).


I had recently cancelled my Illustrator software and was looking for an alternative when I came across Affinity Designer.

Adobe Illustrator file imported into Affinity Design (left) svg file imported into Fusion 360 and extruded (right).


I decided to give this workflow a try with Affinity Designer. I recently had my logo redesigned and wanted to 3D print it. The logo was designed in Adobe Illustrator but I was able to import the AI file into Affinity Designer and export the svg file. I then imported the svg file into Fusion 360, extruded it and 3D printed it. Easy peasy.


In the video below I go over the entire workflow.


Enjoy!


My big aha! moment with Fusion 360 happened when I finally understood how to use Constraints. Get my free Fusion 360 Constraint Cheat Sheet and see what I mean.




676 views2 comments

Recent Posts

See All

2 Comments


Boštjan Kupljen
Boštjan Kupljen
May 07, 2021

How can I increase or decrease the SVG (text) in Fusion 360 after I close "Insert SVG" window? Thank you

Like

Andres Martinez
Andres Martinez
Jul 29, 2020

I'm converting a 97 Lexus SC300 from Automatic to Manual transmission (because we can get 600 hp easily - it's equivalent to a cheaper Supra ), and I need a plastic piece where the standard stick shift goes.

The center console manual shifter bezel is Is no longer produced by Lexus,

although there are expensive after-market versions in carbon fiber out there.


Image available searching for : sc300 manual shifter bezel


What are good materials to use to print this piece ? Remember it will be exposed to the sun, as it's part of the center console.


What 3D printers are best for this use ? it needs to be long as the piece is about 7 inches long.

Is…



Like

Get my free Fusion 360 Constraints Cheat Sheet

and create designs that don't break when you need to make a change to your model!
Fusion 360 Sketch Constraint Cheat Sheet.jpg
bottom of page