How to Export Images with Higher Resolution from SOLIDWORKS

Have you ever worked on a model in SOLIDWORKS and wanted to export images from the graphics area in the form of an image file with higher resolution than just a screenshot? SOLIDWORKS gives users the ability to export images of the graphics area in the form of PNG, JPG, PSD, or TIF files.

This blog article will outline the steps you can take to adjust export options for image files, providing users the ability to select their desired DPI and paper size for their exported image files.

How to Export Images from SOLIDWORKS

Users can save a capture of the graphics area as an image file in SOLIDWORKS by selecting File > Save As > Save as type: (PNG, JPG, PSD, or TIF file).

By default, SOLIDWORKS has the image export set to Screen Capture for TIF, PSD, JPG, and PNG file export options. The Screen Capture setting has a predefined resolution based on what your monitor supports, which does not allow users to edit display options. However, there are further options to produce higher resolution images.

How to Change Image Export Settings

If you would like to adjust the export settings for image files to define what resolution you would like to export as, SOLIDWORKS users can adjust that in the SOLIDWORKS System Options.

Switching the image export to Print capture quality

To switch from Screen capture to Print capture to export images from SOLIDWORKS:

• Open the SOLIDWORKS System Options.
• Select the Export tab.
• Make sure you are on the File Format: TIF/PSD/JPG/PNG options.
• Switch the capture type to Print capture.

Controlling DPI and Paper size for exported SOLIDWORKS images

After changing the output engine, you can also adjust the DPI and paper size for the exported images. The DPI has a dropdown list ranging from 50 dots per inch all the way up to 2880, giving a wide variety of output resolutions. The paper size has standard selections, but also lets you specify a User Defined size to better control exports. When saving as an image file, the model will be captured within the dimensions defined.

Exporting High-Resolution Images Directly from SOLIDWORKS

To summarize the information provided, SOLIDWORKS gives users the ability to save image files of their models designed in the software. The settings within SOLIDWORKS grant users the ability to save the image files as their preferred file format (PNG, JPG, PSD, or TIF).

Comparing Screen capture and Print capture quality

Through the use of the export options for TIF, PSD, JPG, and PNG files, users are given the option to choose between a screen capture and a print capture. Screen captures output a predefined resolution based on what your monitor supports. Whereas the Print capture option will allow users to adjust the DPI and paper size when saving as an image file.

While the image export options in SOLIDWORKS give a great workflow for quickly saving images at a higher quality than a normal screenshot, they do fall short of realism. Sometimes you may need to create marketing materials or produce a lifelike image of your SOLIDWORKS model, where saving an image from SOLIDWORKS doesn’t cut it.

Photo-realistic Images with SOLIDWORKS Visualize

If you are interested in creating realistic photo-quality images, SOLIDWORKS Visualize may be a stronger alternative for capturing images of your models. SOLIDWORKS Visualize has the capability to bring products to life through the use of the tools implemented in the software to generate photo-realistic images. SOLIDWORKS Visualize Standard is included with SOLIDWORKS Professional and SOLIDWORKS Premium subscription services.

Examples of capabilities in SOLIDWORKS Visualize for creating enhanced, high-resolution presentations of your models are included below:

• High-resolution detailed images (JPG, TIF, PNG, BMP)
• Physics-based Rendering (PBR) materials
• Interactive web content (VR and panoramas)
• Captivating feature animations (MP4, FLV, MKV)
• Detailed animations from your SOLIDWORKS Motion Studies
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Denoiser

To learn more about using SOLIDWORKS Visualize in your content creation workflow, contact us here.