Model a part from a drawing or photo
Turn a dimensioned drawing, a hand sketch, or a photo with measurements into a native, parametric part.
Before you start
- A drawing PDF, a clear photo of the sheet, or a hand sketch with the key dimensions written on it.
- For a photo of a physical part, add caliper measurements for the critical features.
- An empty design or part document open in your CAD application.
Steps
- 1
Attach the reference and describe the part
State units, the material thickness if it’s sheet or plate, and which dimensions matter most.
Example request Model this part from the attached drawing in millimeters. Use the front view for the profile and the section A-A for the pocket depth.
- 2
Ask for parameters you’ll change later
Named parameters make the model easy to adjust after review.
Example request Drive the overall length, the hole spacing, and the plate thickness from named parameters.
- 3
Check against the drawing
Ask Vector to compare the solid with each callout and to list anything the drawing leaves ambiguous.
Example request Measure every dimension called out on the drawing and list any that don’t match, plus anything the drawing doesn’t specify.