Pro/ENGINEER Image Output Versus Copy/Paste

by John Randazzo, Blue Ridge Numerics 

Once it’s time to share your parts and assemblies with the non-Pro/ENGINEER world, you have options. The most basic one is to export the image file from Pro/E into the format of your choice– TIF, JPG, EPS, SHD, or PIC.  This, however, is pretty much where your options end. While you can control image size and resolution, you really cannot see the effects of your choices until after the file has been created, which can sometimes be a lengthy process.  In fact, you may find yourself performing this operation several times before you get something you are satisfied with.

But you can bypass Pro/E as your image editor—by copying and pasting the image into another program more suited for graphics editing (I prefer Microsoft Photo Editor). There you have additional file types to “save as,” the ability to crop or enlarge the image and add effects, as well as other tools. In addition, copy/paste images tend to have a smaller file size, as demonstrated below. 

Option A. Direct Export of a Pro/ENGINEER Image (Using Pro/PHOTORENDER version 2001)

1.     Open the model that is to be exported in Pro/ENGINEER.

2.     Click on File, Save a Copy…

3.     Select an appropriate graphics format to save as (JPG, TIF, PIC, EPS) from the Type heading.

4.     Name the file and click OK.

5.     Adjust options under the Dimensions and Resolution headings if desired.

6.     Click OK.

Option B. Copy/Paste a Pro/ENGINEER Image (Using Microsoft Photo Editor)

1.     Open the model that is to be exported in Pro/ENGINEER.

2.     Click on the title bar of the Pro/ENGINEER window.

3.     Press Ctrl+Alt+PrintScreen on your keyboard.

4.     Open Microsoft Photo Editor.

5.     Click Edit, Paste as New Image.

6.     Adjust image using graphics program capabilities.

7.     Click File, Save As.

8.     Select and adjust the desired graphics file type and corresponding options.

9.     Click Save.

The main drawbacks with using a program like Microsoft Photo Editor are the tendency for colors to vary from the original (especially when using JPG as the file format) and text looking distorted. Choosing a better graphics file type (TIF or BMP) will correct the first problem, while setting the zoom control of the image to 100% will take care of the second one.

John Randazzo is a CFDesign implementation specialist for Blue Ridge Numerics Inc. He can be reached by email at John.Randazzo@cfdesign.com.