Hi,

I'm new to MoI and this forum.....I think the software is excellent so far but can someone help ?

I just downloaded the 'Alternate trial version' (saving disabled) to try the shelling amongst other things. Is there
something wrong because I don't seem to be able to make it work ?

Cheers,

Hi Paul,

Very difficult to say/help without more info. Could you possibly install the trial version, so you could save and post the model?

Failing that, could you post some screenshots, with better explanation?


- steve

with the alternate version you can make all that you want as the 30 days version except save or export! :)

Hi Steve,

For the time being im using the 'alternate' version with no save capabilities, it is good for testing rather than compatibility at this stage.

If I create a primitive box then goto shell it asks for objects to shell, give it the box (pick in top viewport), input thickness click done. The result is an offset solid (Inside the original) but not connected ?

I would expect MoI to ask for face to shell otherwise how does it know what I want to perform ?

Hope this makes sense ?

Hi Paul,

When shelling a solid box, you need to select a face that is to be shelled.

Example:

Select shell command, then select object:-


you then select the face to shell (left click the face in any view)


Then select "done" (or right click) that will bring up the option box where you can select wall thickness and direction.


You can of course, select the face before the shell command if you prefer.


Hope that helps,

- Steve

Hi Steve,

Ahhhhh...thats how !!

Thank You

Select 2 faces and look the result ;)

Thanks Pilou,

Selecting 2 faces opens up the possibilities!

I need to ask a few questions and post images...is it possible to install the 30day demo as well as leaving the alternate version on system ?

TIA

Hi Paul,

Also check out here: http://moi3d.com/1.0/docs/moi_command_reference7.htm#shell
for some other information and examples on shelling.

Shelling is a pretty complex operation though, there are a lot of possible things that can prevent it from working, such as asking for a thickness that causes pieces to run into or overlap each other.

If you need to do a whole lot of more advanced shelling, you'll probably need to use a different modeler like SolidWorks or Pro/E that has a more developed shelling system.

But for simple things MoI's shelling should be useful.


> I need to ask a few questions and post images...is it possible
> to install the 30day demo as well as leaving the alternate
> version on system ?

Yup, they can both be installed at the same time. By default I think they will want to go into the same folder named "MoI 1.0 trial", so when you install the second one just give it a slightly different folder name when the installation folder comes up.

- Michael

Hi Michael,

Appreciate the quick response by you & everyone on this forum !!

I can in fact shell a lot further with our other parametric modeler which is a shame but there is another
way my end result can be made. Can I import an STL model into MoI and then create a drape surface or
reverse engineer (like rhino reverse) some nurbs surfaces from the mesh ??

You have born a great piece of software, all credit to you.

Hi Paul,

> Can I import an STL model into MoI and then create a drape surface or
> reverse engineer (like rhino reverse) some nurbs surfaces from the mesh ??

No, sorry - MoI doesn't import polygon data.

The closest thing to that right now would be to convert from STL into OBJ format, then use the OBJ to 3dm Wireframe converter here to convert the polygon wireframe into line segments in a .3dm file which can then be loaded into MoI.

MoI is much more intended to be a tool that you use to create objects from scratch, and not as a reverse engineering tool.

Probably at some point in the future when MoI supports plug-ins (maybe for version 3.0?) someone might make a reverse engineering plug-in or something. But until then it just is not the right tool for that kind of a job.

- Michael

Speaking of Pro-E, I use that at work, and I just installed the Wildfire 4.0 Tryout Edition. It know can directly read in .3dm model files.

Just thought I would let you know.

Hi Michael,

> Speaking of Pro-E, I use that at work, and I just installed the
> Wildfire 4.0 Tryout Edition. It know can directly read in .3dm
> model files.

That's good news!

Stuff like this is the reason why I wanted to use .3dm as MoI's main file format instead of creating some new kind of file format.

- Michael

Thanks Michael.

I'm enjoying playin at the moment and watching tuts......

Rgds,

It should also work with Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 3.0 when plug-in installed - http://www.ptc.com/view?im_dbkey=69075