image-to-dxf

Image-to-DXF Block Skill

You convert product images into DXF block files with embedded FF&E attributes. The result is a .dxf file containing a named block definition — clean CAD geometry derived from the product image, plus attribute tags populated with product data — ready to insert into any CAD drawing.

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What You Produce

A single .dxf file containing:

• A block definition with geometry on named layers (0-OUTLINE, 0-DETAIL, 0-CENTERLINE)
• ATTDEF fields for: PRODUCT_NAME, MANUFACTURER, MODEL_NUMBER, FINISH, DIMENSIONS, PRICE, CATEGORY_CODE
• A block insert at the origin with all attributes populated
• Real-world units (inches by default) when product dimensions are provided

The file opens in AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, BricsCAD, and any other DXF-compatible application.

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Inputs

1. A product image — photograph, render, or spec sheet scan (PNG, JPG, WEBP)
2. Product data — from one of two sources, auto-detected:
   • Markdown clipping (.md file) — same format as the moodboard/room-schedule skills; read with parse_product_data.py
   • Manual input — user provides details in conversation (name, dimensions, price, etc.)

If the user provides a markdown file path, read it now using scripts/parse_product_data.py. If they provide details inline, extract them from the conversation.

See references/attribute-schema.md for the complete attribute field definitions and formatting rules, including category code lookup.

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Workflow

Step 1 — Collect and Parse Inputs

Run the parser if a markdown file was provided:

python scripts/parse_product_data.py --input "/path/to/product.md"

This prints a JSON object with all FF&E fields. Use those values to populate the block attributes.

If data comes from conversation text, extract: name, manufacturer, model, finish, dimensions (W×D×H), price, and category code. Refer to references/attribute-schema.md for category codes.

Step 2 — Analyze the Image (Vision-First Approach)

Before writing any geometry, study the image carefully. This analysis step is what separates clean CAD output from noisy traced outlines — you're reasoning about the product's intended geometry, not just tracing pixels.

2a. Identify the view type:

• Front elevation → work directly in 2D XY
• Side elevation → work in 2D XY (different proportions)
• Plan/top view → work in 2D XY
• Perspective photo → mentally flatten to the most informative orthographic view (usually front elevation for furniture, plan for floor elements like rugs and tables)

When given a perspective photo, decide which view to produce and note it in your output filename (e.g., chair-front-elevation.dxf). A front elevation is usually most useful for furniture; a plan view most useful for tables, rugs, and area elements.

2b. Establish the coordinate system: Use product dimensions to set up the drawing space. If dimensions are provided (e.g., 24"W × 18"D × 36"H):

• Place the origin (0, 0) at the bottom-left of the product's bounding box
• X axis runs left → right (width)
• Y axis runs bottom → top (height for elevation; depth for plan)
• All geometry coordinates are in inches (or mm if the product uses metric)

If no dimensions are provided, use a normalized space where the longest dimension = 100 units, and note this in the block attributes.

2c. Identify geometric zones: Break the product into logical regions. Think structurally, not decoratively:

• For a chair: seat platform, backrest, legs (×4 or ×2), armrests, stretchers
• For a pendant light: canopy/ceiling plate, cord/rod, shade or globe, hardware details
• For a faucet: body/spout, handle(s), base escutcheon, aerator
• For a sofa: seat cushion zone, back cushion zone, arms (×2), legs, overall frame

Each zone maps to one or more geometric entities. See references/product-patterns.md for common patterns by product category.

2d. Identify geometric primitives: For each zone, choose the right primitive:

• Straight runs → line or closed lwpolyline
• Round elements (knobs, circular bases, globes) → circle
• Curved elements (arcs, rounded corners, half-rounds) → arc
• Complex outlines (irregular silhouettes, tapered legs) → lwpolyline with multiple points
• Do NOT use free-form splines for standard products — clean polylines are more useful in CAD

2e. Apply symmetry: Most products are bilaterally symmetric. Draw one side accurately, then mirror the geometry for the other. This keeps the geometry mathematically consistent.

Step 3 — Describe the Geometry as JSON

Build a geometry description JSON object. This is the input to build_block.py:

{
  "block_name": "FURN-1-CHAIR-SAARINEN",
  "units": "inches",
  "width": 26.0,
  "height": 31.0,
  "entities": [
    {"type": "lwpolyline", "points": [[0,0],[26,0],[26,18],[0,18]], "closed": true, "layer": "0-OUTLINE"},
    {"type": "lwpolyline", "points": [[3,18],[5,31],[21,31],[23,18]], "closed": true, "layer": "0-DETAIL"},
    {"type": "arc", "center": [13,0], "radius": 10, "start_angle": 180, "end_angle": 360, "layer": "0-DETAIL"},
    {"type": "line", "start": [13,0], "end": [13,31], "layer": "0-CENTERLINE"}
  ]
}

Layer assignments:

• 0-OUTLINE — outer silhouette and primary bounding geometry
• 0-DETAIL — internal features, secondary structure, decorative elements
• 0-CENTERLINE — symmetry axes and reference lines (use sparingly)

Entity types supported by build_block.py:

• lwpolyline → points: [[x,y],...], closed: true/false
• circle → center: [x,y], radius: r
• arc → center: [x,y], radius: r, start_angle: deg, end_angle: deg
• line → start: [x,y], end: [x,y]

Save this JSON to a temp file at /tmp/geometry.json.

Step 4 — Assemble the DXF Block

Run the build script:

pip install ezdxf --break-system-packages -q
python scripts/build_block.py \
  --geometry /tmp/geometry.json \
  --name "PRODUCT NAME" \
  --manufacturer "MANUFACTURER" \
  --model "MODEL-SKU" \
  --finish "Finish / Material" \
  --dimensions "24\"W × 18\"D × 36\"H" \
  --price "$1,200" \
  --category "FURN" \
  --output "/path/to/output.dxf"

The script creates the DXF with the full block definition, ATTDEF fields, and a block insert with populated ATTRIB values. It also sets $INSUNITS to inches (or mm) in the file header.

Step 5 — Deliver

Save the .dxf file to the user's workspace folder. Use a descriptive filename based on the category code and product name — for example:

• AP-1-solis-pendant-front-elev.dxf
• FURN-2-saarinen-chair-front-elev.dxf
• CAB-1-shaker-upper-plan.dxf

Tell the user which view was generated (front elevation, plan, etc.) and note any significant simplifications made during geometry construction.

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Path B: Automated Tracing (Optional)

If the user explicitly requests automated tracing, or the product has complex organic geometry where interpretation is difficult (sculptural objects, irregular hand-crafted forms), use the tracing pipeline instead of manual geometry construction:

pip install vtracer --break-system-packages -q
python scripts/trace_image.py --input "/path/to/image.jpg" --output /tmp/traced.svg
python scripts/svg_to_dxf.py --input /tmp/traced.svg --output /tmp/traced_geometry.json \
  --width 24 --height 36

Then feed the resulting traced_geometry.json to build_block.py as the --geometry argument.

Note that automated tracing produces noisier, less geometrically clean output than manual interpretation — warn the user that cleanup in CAD may be needed.

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Quality Checklist

Before delivering, verify:

• Block name follows the pattern CATEGORY-NUM-PRODUCTNAME (e.g., PF-1-SOLIS-PENDANT)
• All 7 attribute fields are populated (not left as empty strings)
• Geometry is to scale — if dimensions were provided, check that bounding box matches
• At least one entity is on layer 0-OUTLINE
• The .dxf file was created without errors from build_block.py
• Filename is descriptive and includes the view type

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Reference Files

• references/attribute-schema.md — FF&E attribute field definitions, category code list, formatting rules for each field. Read this when you need the full category code lookup or are unsure how to format a field value.
• references/product-patterns.md — Common geometry patterns for furniture, lighting, plumbing, cabinetry, and accessories. Read this when you're unsure how to break down a specific product type into geometric primitives.