3d printed or CNC milled mounting plate for Ultimarc ServoStik

Main > Project Announcements

<< < (2/3) > >>

Gilrock:
In Aspire and I assume VCarve is similar you wouldn't need the 2D DXF to convert to 3D. You just need to place the 2D shape in the program and then the material thickness you can set will give it the 3rd dimension.

With Aspire importing a DXF isn't a quick process. I find the paths are not contiguous and I've had to do a lot of cleanup work. Sometimes I just use the imported DXF almost the same as an imported image where I use it as a template to draw over top of it using the built-in tools.

Only time I've used 3D in Aspire was when creating plaques like I did a couple Eagle Scout plagues that had a pretty cool detailed eagle carved into the middle but to get that detail I had to use a 1/16" bit for the final passes and it took like 5 hours per plaque but I don't like to run very fast speeds.

Gilrock:
For 2D CAD drawing I've always used a $40 program called DeltaCAD. I haven't tried any other CAD programs. That drawing of mine you posted that has the dimensions was created with it. Its a little quirky to learn to use but its super fast. It was recommended to me years ago by Clayton Boyer when I was getting the DXF files from him for one of his wooden clock designs so I could import it into Aspire to use the CNC to cut the gears. Reminds me another project I need to finish someday...lol.

PL1:

--- Quote from: Gilrock on September 14, 2021, 08:50:44 am ---In Aspire and I assume VCarve is similar you wouldn't need the 2D DXF to convert to 3D.

--- End quote ---
I figured that if the STL wouldn't import, you could try the 2D DXF.

--- Quote from: Gilrock on September 14, 2021, 08:50:44 am ---You just need to place the 2D shape in the program and then the material thickness you can set will give it the 3rd dimension.

--- End quote ---
That's what I thought. Import a 2D shape for the X/Y outline then adjust the thickness for Z.

--- Quote from: Gilrock on September 14, 2021, 08:50:44 am ---With Aspire importing a DXF isn't a quick process. I find the paths are not contiguous and I've had to do a lot of cleanup work.

--- End quote ---
Is that a general observation about DXF files, or a problem with the specific file I posted?

Do you think SVG or PNG files would require less cleanup work than a DXF file?
- The SVG from OpenSCAD (download here) looks really clean in Inkscape.
- I need to update to be able to export PNGs.

Scott

Gilrock:
I haven't had time to try the file you posted. So I don't know if its just DXF files I've created in DeltaCad or all DXF's. What happens is you import it and then when you click on a line it only highlights a tiny segment as pink instead of the entire outline you would expect to be one contiguous path. It needs to be a continuous path to be able to select it when creating the toolpaths. There is one feature where you can select a group of those tiny segments and merge them into a path using various "smoothing" options but that just triggers my OCD thinking I won't get perfect straight lines so I end up re-creating the object.

PL1:

--- Quote from: Gilrock on September 15, 2021, 08:53:37 am ---What happens is you import it and then when you click on a line it only highlights a tiny segment as pink instead of the entire outline you would expect to be one contiguous path. It needs to be a continuous path to be able to select it when creating the toolpaths. There is one feature where you can select a group of those tiny segments and merge them into a path using various "smoothing" options but that just triggers my OCD thinking I won't get perfect straight lines so I end up re-creating the object.

--- End quote ---
If you have to highlight each individual segment of the curves, it will be a nightmare. :banghead:
- OpenSCAD renders a circle as a 180-sided polygon -- determined by the "$fn = 180;" variable in the code.

If you can select a group of segments and merge them into a single path, it should be much easier.
- Like many Windows programs, Inkscape allows you to left-click + drag to create a selection box.
- You can add more segments to the previously-selected ones using shift + left-click + drag to create another selection box.
- This way, it's pretty easy to select all of the segments for a particular path.
- I'm guessing that Aspire can do the same thing, right?

There should be a total of 10 paths for this part, right?
- Eight screw holes, the inner perimeter of the plate, and the outer perimeter of the plate.

Scott

Navigation

 Message Index

Go to full version