Back to articles
Proceedings Paper
Volume: 38 | Article ID: COIMG-162
Image
Trace2SCAD: Converting Images Into Parametric OpenSCAD Models
Henry Gordon Dietz
  Henry Gordon Dietz
Affiliation
University of Kentucky, US
 Find this author on Google Scholar
 Find this author on PubMed
  DOI :  10.2352/EI.2026.38.15.COIMG-162  Published Online :  March 2026
Abstract
Abstract

Ironically, it is often useful to manipulate 2D graphics for 3D printing. Trace2SCAD was originally written to convert 2D diagrams into printed structures that could be understood by a blind student feeling the surface. However, by its initial open source release in January 2015, it had already been applied to convert pixel-mapped images into parametric 3D models and 3D-printable image renderings (e.g., lithophanes). The original version was a shell script using a variety of helpers, especially potrace. The new version is pure C++ code using the OpenCV library and incorporating many new features, including the ability to render color images as 3D models to be printed for viewing by reflected light (similar to the filament paintings produced by Hue-Forge). It is also significant that the output generated is not mere 3D shapes, but parametric 3D models coded in the OpenSCAD programming language. This paper describes the functionality and algorithms used in the new Trace2SCAD.

Journal Title : Electronic Imaging
Publisher Name : Society for Imaging Science and Technology
Publisher Location : IS&T 7003 Kilworth Lane, Springfield, VA 22151 USA
Subject Areas :
Views 13
Downloads 3
 DOI 10.2352/EI.2026.38.15.COIMG-162
 articleview.views 13
 articleview.downloads 3
  Cite this article 

Henry Gordon Dietz, "Trace2SCAD: Converting Images Into Parametric OpenSCAD Models"  in Electronic Imaging,  2026,  pp 162-1 - 162-8,  https://doi.org/10.2352/EI.2026.38.15.COIMG-162

 Copy citation
  Copyright statement 
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
ei
Electronic Imaging
2470-1173
2470-1173
Society for Imaging Science and Technology
IS&T 7003 Kilworth Lane, Springfield, VA 22151 USA
10.2352/EI.2026.38.15.COIMG-162
COIMG-162
Proceedings Paper
Trace2SCAD: Converting Images Into Parametric OpenSCAD Models
DietzHenry Gordon
University of Kentucky, US
Abstract
Ironically, it is often useful to manipulate 2D graphics for 3D printing. Trace2SCAD was originally written to convert 2D diagrams into printed structures that could be understood by a blind student feeling the surface. However, by its initial open source release in January 2015, it had already been applied to convert pixel-mapped images into parametric 3D models and 3D-printable image renderings (e.g., lithophanes). The original version was a shell script using a variety of helpers, especially potrace. The new version is pure C++ code using the OpenCV library and incorporating many new features, including the ability to render color images as 3D models to be printed for viewing by reflected light (similar to the filament paintings produced by Hue-Forge). It is also significant that the output generated is not mere 3D shapes, but parametric 3D models coded in the OpenSCAD programming language. This paper describes the functionality and algorithms used in the new Trace2SCAD.
132026
38
COIMG
Computational Imaging XXIII
15
162-1
162-8
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
2026
Image vectorizationLithophaneFilament paintingParametric 3D modelingGenetic AlgorithmCIE DeltaE 2000