Image-to-model
Sometimes the fastest input is a picture. This walkthrough turns a photo or hand sketch into an editable parametric model.
Before you start
- A clear reference image
- One or two known dimensions of the object
- 1
Capture a clean reference
Use a straight-on view with good contrast. A square-on photo or a tidy sketch reads far better than an angled, cluttered one.
- 2
Upload and opt in
Drop the image into the chat panel. Image-to-model is opt-in per image, so confirm you want this picture turned into geometry.
- 3
Anchor the scale
In the same message, give a known dimension — the outer diameter is 40 mm. This anchors the size so the rebuilt solid comes out to scale.
Tip: One real measurement is the difference between a correctly sized part and a good-looking guess.
- 4
Review the rebuild
HelioCad interprets the image and builds a parametric solid. Check it against the reference and note anything to correct.
- 5
Refine by chat
Dial in the result with follow-up prompts just like any other model — adjust dimensions, add features, and clean up details.
What you built
A parametric solid rebuilt from an image and refined to match the real object.
Follow along in HelioCad
Open a workspace and build it as you read. It runs in your browser — no install required.
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