Technical Graphics data can originate from many different sources and as a result be in stored and exchanged in varying formats. The best practice is to manage and store the data in an open, quality and reliable electronic format.

1. Converting and Transforming Technical Graphics
August 19th 2015
11am Eastern Time, USA
Presenters – Don Larson, Larson Software Technology & David Manock, Vizualsite LLC
Welcome to the Informational Webinar

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Agenda
• Introduction
• Housekeeping
• Company Overview
• Slide Presentation and Demos
• Summary
• Closing Information

3. Webinar: Housekeeping
• All attendees will be muted for the duration of the Webinar
• If you experience problems when joining the webinar please
use the questions function to communicate
• VOIP is the recommended audio option
• It is possible to download handouts during the presentation
• Post questions during the webinar using the panel
• Questions will be answered following the main presentation
or by a follow up email
• Please vote in the interactive Poll,
it is easy and private
• The results will be live!
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4. Interactive Polls
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• At appropriate times during the webinar we will conduct a
interactive Poll
• The results will immediately follow the vote!
• Questions:
1. What source file formats do you use to generate you technical
technical graphics?
2. Do your graphics require hotspots?
3. What CAD System/s does your company use?
Engage

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Larson Software Technology
• Based in Houston, Texas
• Founded in 1984, CGM Experts for 30 years
• Develops powerful, innovative CGM graphics software, based on
open standards
• Promoting CGM Usage, VizEx Reader a free CGM and TIFF viewer
• Member of the CGM Open Foundation
• Larson technology simplifies the graphics workflow for Technical
Publications Professionals, Engineers, Geologists, and
Geophysicists.

6. Webinar Objectives
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• Provide lessons learned when transforming technical graphics
• Focus on common 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 process

7. Introduction
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• 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 probably from a CAD system
• This could be a 2D or 3D CAD source data
• Spare part illustrations
• Schematics
• Wiring Diagrams
• Draw from scratch – could be quicker
• Dependent of availability and suitability of CAD data
• Create illustration using a photograph as a template
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
• Legacy Hard Copy
• Illustrations on paper or drafting film
• Not very common today but could still exist
• Raster file
• Legacy format
• Scanned line art illustrations
• Intermediate format
• Exported from 3rd party software, CAD possibly
• 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
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 legacy 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
• Optimizing production process
• Raster Data may require enhancements with the addition of
hotspots
• We will examine 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 – Raster Data
• Rare - Hard Copy - The lowest common denominator
• Quality
• Dependent on the storage of the illustrations
• What generation are they? originals or copies
• BENEFIT: If the original or the copy is of good
quality then your going to achieve quality output
• It could be worth investigating if the hard copy is still
available
• TIP: Is a re-scan possible to improve quality

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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 to
S1000D 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
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 (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
Comparison raster and vector data

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Analysis – Raster Legacy
• TIP: If the raster quality is very poor, and the original data is
available consider a re-scan
• If possible consider increasing resolution of output
• (200-300dpi)
• 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-draw
than 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
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 version
• 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 it 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
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
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?
 Autodesk
 Catia
 PTC Creo Parametric (ProE)
 Siemens NX - Unigraphics
 Solidworks

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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
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
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
KNOWLEDGE:
Polyline
In computer graphics, a continuous
line composed of one or more
straight line segments.

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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 polylines
• 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 by already available formats
• File Formats
• AI (Adobe Illustrator)
• PDF (Portable Document Format)
• DWG
• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic)
• Specification driven industries may well require the CGM format
to be valid
• 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 used in interactive manuals
• TIP: To be specification compliant save as a TIFF, not ideal

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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
• 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
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
• PDF was based on PostScript another Adobe technology
• Therefore it does support graphics 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
Open PDF file
Publish PDF file

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Technical Writing Software - Vector Data
• Technical Writing Software can contain graphics
• Framemaker
• Arbortext Editor
• oXygen
• ETC.
• This data source is possible
• Unlikely this will be the only source of graphical data
• 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 and 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
• 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 e.g. VizEx Edit a good choice to
maintain CGM files

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Summary
• There are many opportunities to source information to produce your
technical graphics
• The number of source formats is diverse
• Selecting the appropriate one can be a challenge
• The primary considerations should be, quality, re-use and publishing
• Ideally choose a format that answers all of these criteria
• Managing more than one file type can cause configuration control issues
• We hope todays webinar has provided information that you found
interesting and above all useful

45. Q&A
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Closing Information
• You can discover more information about
Larson Software Technology at www.cgmlarson.com
• A link to a recording of the webinar will be sent via email
• All the materials will be available:
• www.slideshare.net/donlarson1
• Twitter feed, follow us!
• www.twitter.com/cgmlarson
• Visit us at the S1000D User Forum, San Diego, CA
• 21st-23rd September 2015
• Next Webinar: MacLean Engineering - Case Study - Transform CAD Data
• Friday 0ctober 2nd 10am Central – Part of Manufacturing Day