From: Chris (CHRIS_C)
Hi folks. I was given a file to 3D print and it is "messy" to say the least. The original file was lost so this is the only file available.
I have uploaded a similar part I created in Moi to demonstrate what it *should* look like.
How can I clean this up without losing the very specific shape and size? Suggestions for rebuilding also appreciated.
Thanks
Chris
Attachments:
3.5 gauge stake pocket FINAL.3dm
Portland stake pocket 6673 - Stake Pocket 1.75.3dm
From: Frenchy Pilou (PILOU)
Just add 4 cylinders to the moi3D form yet a "solid" : Boolean Union, resize as you want, export as stl or OBJ ?
but maybe i don't understand the question! :)
From: Michael Gibson
Hi Chris - one thing that's a little confusing is I'm not sure the original model was completely accurate to start with either - one spot looks like this with part of what I think is a sphere cut away slightly from the sphere's pole:
And then on the other side it's missing the pole on the other side leaving some of the flat front face over:
Do you want to try and true up those things too?
A couple of quick first steps would be to identify areas that are all planar and replace them with single planes. You can do the replacement by deleting a set of coplanar triangles to leave a hole and then using Construct > Planar to seal it off with a trimmed plane. Here's an example:
Repeat that with any planar spots. Then the next steps would be that clearly some spots are circular like the feet, use Draw curve > Circles > 3 points to put circles on them, pick the 3 points onto 3 vertices somewhat evenly spaced (make them more like an equilateral triangle, not just 3 points all right next to each other). Also do any spots that should be arcs with 3 point arcs. I'd say do those along the bottom to make the bottom face, extrude those upwards to make the sides, revolve the tops of those by 90 degrees to make the upper corners. Then a last extrude or loft across the top.
Let me know if any of that doesn't make sense.
- Michael
Image Attachments:
ChrisCPart1.jpg
ChrisCPart2.jpg
ChrisCPart3.jpg
From: Michael Gibson
Hi Chris, also instead of making 3 point arcs like I wrote above instead make 3 point circles since doing it by arcs means you have to decide on the start and end points.
Also what I wrote above about always picking 3 points like an equilateral triangle can be loosened a bit just try not to get the 3 points where they are very close to all being on a single straight line.
So make circles through 3 points like this and then trim them with each other:
- Michael
Image Attachments:
ChrisCPart4.jpg
From: Michael Gibson
So I mean make circles like this:
Then Trim them all against each other and remove these areas:
- Michael
Image Attachments:
ChrisCPart5.jpg
ChrisCPart6.jpg
From: Michael Gibson
Then I think the ends match with circles and a little bit of lines here:
- Michael
Image Attachments:
ChrisCPart7.jpg
From: Michael Gibson
Hi Chris, so this is what I got to (3DM attached also):
To finish it probably mirror that piece over then loft between pairs of edges and join those all up.
I'm not sure if it's accurate enough for what you need.
- Michael
Attachments:
ChrisCRebuild.3dm
Image Attachments:
ChrisCPart8.jpg
From: Michael Gibson
And here is the result mirrored and lofted and joined. I have not checked how close it is to your original though.
- Michael
Attachments:
ChrisCRebuild2.3dm
Image Attachments:
ChrisCPart9.jpg
From: Chris (CHRIS_C)
WOW! Thanks so much Michael. I had expected help as always, but this is above and beyond.
Best,
Chris
From: Michael Gibson
You're welcome Chris, I hope I gave enough details so you can get an idea of how it was done.
Reverse engineering can tend to be pretty tricky, it often involves kind of decoding design intent.
- Michael