CAD art is by far the best way to generate illustrations. The images are completely accurate and, using CAD, we can generate illustrations from any angle to capture all features of your product. Multiple angles can be used, as separate illustrations or as inset images, to show important features. Using CAD we can generate Images in colour, as generated by the CAD software, or in wire frame, with or without hidden detail. We can create art from CAD in one, two or three view (as in technical drawings), in perspective or in isometric view. Isometric can be useful when multiple components, from different CAD data, need to be shown on the same illustration when it would be impossible to match perspective.

Keihin FCR 41 Carburettor

Featured on bikes manufactured by Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Ducati, the Keihin FCR 41 Carburettor is a high-performance carburettor primarily used on racing motorcycles and high end road bikes. The designation FCR indicates a Flat side Racing Carburettor, while the 41 indicates the maximum size of the velocity stack. Keihin recommend the 41 bore model for a 4-cylinder engine of 1000cc and upwards tuned for high performance as a road racer. Multiple FCR 41 carburettors are assembled, side by side, one per cylinder, into a block, with the throttle linkages connected through a connecting rod. The flat side design differs from more traditional round-side carburettors, allowing greater airflow, resulting in improved throttle response and power.

Thanks to Anton for the use of his Keihin FCR 41 Carburetor 3D model. We don’t have a team of engineers in house, so do let us know if any of these annotations are incorrect.

Photo art is the most cost effective where CAD files are not available, however, consideration needs to be given to background clutter. Professional photos provide the best starting point, but multiple images may be necessary since it is difficult to predict the best angle before adding annotations. For this reason, CAD art is superior, as it gives greater agility for decision making during the creation process. In this example we have created white space around the image for annotations. If professional photos are not available, we can remove clutter or bench top surfaces, but even with the latest tools the results can be variable.

Raspberry Pi 2 Model B

The Raspberry Pi 2 Model B is a credit card sized single-board computer built by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in Wales. Developed as a small, inexpensive computer to enable the study of computer science the Raspberry Pi was first released in 2009 at the price of $35. The plan was that, as computing became more powerful, the price would stay around the same level, but the computers would become more powerful, thus keeping them within the reach of students and educational establishments. Use of the Raspberry Pi today is thought to be in the millions in education and it has been adopted as a low-cost solution for projects ranging from home automation, robotics and DIY electronics projects.

Image taken from Wikimedia under the creative commons license. Please follow this link for full details. The image has been modified in that it has been straightened and annotations added. We don’t have a team of engineers in house, so do let us know if any of these annotations are incorrect.

Hand drawn, digitally traced art, can be taken from any image. The data is generated by hand, point by point using illustration software. It is important to understand that drawn art is not an exact representation of the subject, as it is impossible to get the accuracy of CAD data or a photo. The more time spent on the creation, the more accurate the resulting image, but there are limits. However, drawn art can be used to modify what is actually in an image and can create something that, to a point, has never existed or only now exists in photos. We can create drawn art in line style or we can apply block colour as required.

EGO 56 Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Mower

The EGO 56 Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Mower is a domestic lawnmower produced by EGO. A portmanteau construction of “Electricity” and “GO”, EGO first launched as a brand in the USA in 2012 and produces a range of gardening and grounds maintenance equipment powered by a standardised 56 volt lithium-ion battery. The battery is interchangeable across the product range, so the same power pack can be used in a lawnmower, strimmer, chainsaw or a range of gardening tools. Spare batteries are available so charging can be performed while the machines are in use and swapped out to eliminate downtime. The illustration depicts the LM1099E SP, which includes a 47cm rotary cutting blade and offers the option to use it manually or as a self-propelled mower at a range of speeds. With a tidy upright storage feature, the mower takes up the minimum amount of space with the battery stored on a wall mounted charger ready for instant use.

Not everything we’ve done at Winged Feet Ltd has been for engineering projects. We’ve used the hand traced method to generate illustrations for other purposes. Take a look here.

Please make contact with Andy Smith via LinkedIn here