Oops, I forgot to mention the computer file transfer glitch. We did figure out how to finish the drawing in solid to move to 3d cut where it came up. We tried to send the file that was in cut 3d to post. This was the step I couldn't figure out so I took the photo of what we are seeing on the screen.

We will try this when we post this mornings results in a few hrs.

Tony

I am getting a "certificate trust list file invalid" when I try to save to move to a file . Not sure how we got the picture to come up on 3d last night that I posted the jpg of.

I am playing with the loft. Pretty cool! How can you change the size of the grid to make proportions easier?

Tony

Hi Tony,

> I am getting a "certificate trust list file invalid" when
> I try to save to move to a file .

Sorry, that's not at all clear to me what you are referring to.

Move to what file? Do you mean an STL file? Are you getting that message when saving out from MoI or when saving from some other application, or when you are trying to use your web browser in the forum here? I need a lot clearer information than this to be able to help you.


> Not sure how we got the picture to come up on 3d last
> night that I posted the jpg of.

I'm not sure what "picture to come up on 3d" means here. What does the "3d" mean?


> I am playing with the loft. Pretty cool! How can you change
> the size of the grid to make proportions easier?

There's a bunch of settings for the grid under Options > Grid.

- Michael

I think on a lot of windows machines, the STL file is associated with a certificate trust list file. Sounds like he's double clciking an STL file.

I think Tony needs some basic help with the computer and process.

Hi Burr, oh yeah that's right.

So Tony, instead of double-clicking on the .stl file in Windows Explorer, you will need to launch the program you want to bring it into and then on that program use the File > Open menu item to go open your STL file.

- Michael

Thanks Burr for pointing out where my lack of basic computer skills are causing difficulties.

I have been practicing with the loft tool. I seem to be drawing it in 1d when I rotate what I have drawn on the 3d screen. Suggestions?

Michael, you mentioned a subdivision surface modeling technique. I assume this is a new program? Since I am new to this, any suggestions where to look for these?

I bought the Romaxx cnc router with the Moi, Cut3D, and Mach3 already installed from the company. If I need another program to make it easier to do what I want, then now would be the time to get it.

Tony

Hi Tony,

> I have been practicing with the loft tool. I seem to
> be drawing it in 1d when I rotate what I have drawn
> on the 3d screen. Suggestions?

Can you please attach a 3DM model file with the curves in it that you are having problems with?

That would help a lot to better understand what you are running into.

But basically if you have drawn curves all in one 2D plane like all in the front view then a simple way to move them into different locations in 3D space is to switch to a different view like the top view and move them in that view.


> Michael, you mentioned a subdivision surface modeling technique.
> I assume this is a new program? Since I am new to this, any
> suggestions where to look for these?

Yup, those are different modeling programs.

A few popular ones are: Silo (http://silo3d.com) and Modo (http://luxology.com)

- Michael

Hi Tony

Don't know if you have visited these forums:

http://www.vectric.com/forum/index.php?sid=8c1230bca9f67aca78089c7c5fc52398

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/

Yes, I have looked at these. The big problem for me is this is all a foreign language to me.
I see where I have drawn the 3d image incorrectly so I am making progress.
I will try to post a picture of my progress Tue afternoon when I get to be back in the shop.

Tony

Ok, I spent my lunch hr searching out these software packages. I am not finding info on who makes the Silo 3d or the price. I am seeing where it looks like it will blend well with Vectrics cut 3D however. Any suggestions on where to look for price and purchasing info.

Tony

Right now, hexagon is free in February. It does a good job of saving stl's. daz3d is the company that has it.

Hi Tony,

> I will try to post a picture of my progress Tue afternoon
> when I get to be back in the shop.

Also if you need help with a particular model, please keep in mind that the best thing to post is the actual 3DM file which contains your whole 3D model file, not just a screenshot.

It's a lot easier to see what's going on by examining your actual geometry because I can do stuff like rotate around and look at it from different angles and zoom in to various portions which I'm not able to do with just a static screenshot. It's also easier to then use your file to show you what you need to do.

- Michael

Hi Tony,

> I am not finding info on who makes the Silo 3d or the price.

It's made by a company called Nevercenter, the product page for it is here: http://www.nevercenter.com/silo/


And like Burr says, there's a different sub-d modeler called Hexagon which is available for free at this moment, I think it's a special until the end of the month, so grab that from here: http://www.daz3d.com

- Michael

Do you know if the silo version is compatable with cut 3D?
I will try to send a picture of what I accomplish Tue afternoon in the form you have advised.

Tony

Hi Tony, Silo can export to an STL file so you should be able to use that method for taking a model in Silo into Cut 3D.

- Michael

Ok, I hope this comes thru. What I am going for is the back 8" of my project for now.
When viewed from behind, I used arc and elipse to get the shape. (The final size from the back will be 5"x1.9". The front view I drew for 7" forward where the size will be 3.5" by 1.5" From the top left edge I slanted 2.5 degrees toward centerline toward the front while the bottom left slanted 11 degrees toward the front centerline.


After I get this figured out, I will move to the next part of the project and learn how to shape it.

Tony

Its a good start.
The model appears to be flat, 2dimensional only.

Yep, Flat! I am not figuring out how to make it 3D.
Also, is it in Cut3D that I enter the distance and slant angles or do I need to do that in Moi?

Tony

Hi Tony

It is my understanding, that first, a 3D model is created, in MoI for example.
The 3D model is imported into Cut3D, using the correct file type, one that Cut3D can read.
Cut3D creates the tool paths, (gcode), using the 3Dmodel, which tells the CNC machine how to move the cutter blade.
The piece of wood has to be mounted in the correct orientation, and turned over, with proper alignment "holes/pins", to cut the 2sides, (or 4 sides.)

I believe there is quite a learning curve, with practice on some cheaper medium, say mdf, medium density fiber board, or some rigid foam...

(I have Aspire, a similar program to Cut3D, but have not spent much time learning how to use it.)

The fixtures to hold the wood and turn it over to do both sides are made and working well for when I run the router manually.
I have blocks of scraps ready to go in the fixtures for when I have it ready for a test run. Getting the back portion of the stock shaped fairly close will start saving me time compared to how I make these currently.
The block now is to get the shape in 3d and fairly close in size and shape, then on to cut3D.
My understanding of the Moi, then to cut 3D for editing and then on the Mach3 for guiding the machine is like yours. But I have no first hand experience with these programs-or much on basic file save and move steps.

Tony