Engineering a 2D Printed Logo Into a 3D Object

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.45.20 AM.png

This project describes how to turn an image of a logo into a printable 3D object

Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Autodesk 123D Design

No drawing required!

Instructions Courtesy of Rick Valdez

Open Original Image in Adobe Photoshop

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.45.58 AM.png

Open image of logo in Adobe Photoshop

Adjust Levels

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.51.37 AM.png

A. Open the Levels dialog box (Command-L)
B. Slide the left arrow in the histogram to the right to increase contrast

Select Outer Area of Image

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.51.58 AM.png

A. Select a square of the outer area
B. Choose “Similar” from the Select menu

Clear the Background

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.52.25 AM.png

Select “Clear” from the Edit menu

Save Image As PSD

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 12.40.29 PM.png

Save the image without the background as a Photoshop file

Open File in Adobe Illustrator

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 12.43.55 PM.png

Open the Photoshop PSD file in Adobe Illustrator

Use Image Trace to Create Outline

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.52.35 AM.png

A. Using the Magic Wand Tool, click on the image of the elephant
B. Select “Image Trace” from the Windows menu

Activate Image Trace

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.52.43 AM.png

Click the “Image Trace” button

Expand to Add Bezier Curve

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.52.56 AM.png

Click the “Expand” button

Stroke Bezier Curve

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 9.53.03 AM.png

A. IMPORTANT: Add 1 pt. stroke
B. Choose zero Fill to check

Isolate the Logo

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 10.17.01 PM.png

A. Select the white arrow Direct Selection Tool
B. Surround the logo with the tool to highlight all the points
C. Copy the logo to the Clipboard (command-C)