Is it possible to create a shape using Draw Curve tools that results in a plane that can be
extruded? Or, must I always start with a Solid Tools plane and draw on the needed shape and
remove the excess and extrude? While testing the ability to fillet or chamfer the diagonal edge
of a triangle I assumed that connecting 3 lines in the shape of a triangle would result in a plane?
Thanks

After draw a 3D curve with the Draw curve tool
Orient it as needing or use a Custom Plan ( View/CPlane)
Just use the "Edit Frame Box" for have only one axe = 0 ;)
a word "Flat" help you when it's the good position !

And use "Planar" if you want fill it

Thanks, Frenchy...I do not see an "Edit Frame Box" selection. Can you tell me how to make
that selection? Thanks

Options / View/ enable Show "Edit Frame"

Thank You, Frenchy...working fine...was looking under the "Edit" tab and not
the "Options". Thank You...Bob

Hi Bob,

> While testing the ability to fillet or chamfer the diagonal
> edge of a triangle I assumed that connecting 3 lines in the
> shape of a triangle would result in a plane?

Yes, that should normally be the case that 3 connected lines will form a planar triangle.

Could you post the model file where you created these diagonal edges so I could take a look at it?

Another way to draw planar shapes at an odd angle is to use the View > CPlane command to set the construction plane to align to where you want to draw. That will then reorient the Top/Front/Right ortho views to be looking at that particular plane so while that cplane is active drawing in the Top view draws on that plane.

Some more info on this here:
http://moi3d.com/2.0/docs/moi_command_reference5.htm#cplane

- Michael

Good Evening, Michael...

Attached file is an example of a diagonal edge with chamfer on both sides
with fillet added. Second example is a chamfer on one side and chamfer
with fillet added on the other. I have one more test to round over a
square bottom and a triangulated top. Thanks

Hi Bob, which part has the 3 lines that you were trying to make a plane with? Was it this little area here or some other spot? :



But you seem to have a little plane filling in that triangle area already.

Note that if you have some curves or edges that are in one plane and you want to make a surface that goes through them, you can select them and then use the Construct > Planar command to do that, it is located here:



The draw tools like Draw solid > Plane are for drawing a rectangular shaped plane by picking some points - basically all the draw tools work by picking points, the stuff in the Construct tools on the other hand produce some result by selecting objects to work on.

Does that help? If not then I may need some more details.

- Michael

Good Morning, Michael...The problem with my inability to extrude the shape of a rectangle was
my mistake. Each time I created a triangle shape with the Line tool, I was only extruding the
lines and not the plane created by the lines. It was not until I realized that I needed to check
the "CAP" box that I was able to extrude the triangular shape and not just the lines. I'm OK
now.

Most of the other packages I've been testing do not allow you to chamfer or fillet non-parallel
edges. It is important that for foundry casting purposes that I can "draft" all vertical edges.
With MOI I was able to chamfer the edges of a triangle and further fillet a chamfered side.
The image that I included of the two triangles was to demonstrate I was able to do both...
I'm excited about that. The very expensive CAD/CAM packages have a "draft" option that
allows you to set a degree of draft in most cases 3 degrees. I even have a router bit that
is specifically for that purpose. Using the MOI "chamfer" option allows me to do exactly
that, as long as I choose a value that equals the length of the height of the triangle.

The small triangle you pointed out was because I had not selected a "Choice 1" that was
equal to the highest line of the triangle. Another 1/32 or 1/64 would have taken care of
that nicely when chamfering.

Sorry for any confusion. I am happy with all that I've checked out so far.

The only missing piece for me is the calculation of volume. However, it's easily
resolved by writing out the selection in .stl format and opening it in either Minmagics or
Netfabb, both of which have volume calculations and check for problems with the .stl
format.

In case I hadn't mentioned, I design and produce professional pitching horseshoes. I
am experimenting with designing using 3D packages, creating .stl output and creating
my prototypes using 3D printers. The 3D printed output goes directly to the foundry
for prototype casting. This eliminates the requirement to create my prototypes out of
beechwood or mahogany. What is critical is that the output volume wise, equals
8.9 cubic inches of volume in order to cast a horseshoe weighing 2 pounds 8 ounces.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but, thought it would help to reduce the confusion.
I am attaching a .jpg image of a prototype just completed and cast in ductile
iron. You can reach me directly at bobrass@verizon.net if you want to communicate
directly.

Regards...Bob

Hi Bob - in the future I want to add a "Tapered extrusion" type function which I think is what you need for your draft angle stuff.

Another way to accomplish that kind of thing apart from chamfers is to offset your profile curve, and then move the offset upwards, and then loft between those 2 curves to produce a tapered object.

See here for an example:
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=941.5

- Michael

Thanks, Michael...

My next requirement is to go through the total process...from design to prototype. I can
see no reason why MOI cannot handle everything that I've not been able to find from
other packages. Thanks Michael for a wonderful piece of software. It's time to drag
out my Javascript books and brush up on plugin development. Regards...Bob