Finally finished an easy guitar model for milling - thanks to Michael's advice and patience. Like so many of the guitar folks here really need to get into necks - but first more practice with the basics. Really have enjoyed some of the amazing models in the gallery - really talented folks here. Any thoughts that other guitar builders would like to share, tips and tricks for example please! Been building guitars by hand since 2005 and realized most guitar builders have adopted CNC machines many years ago - high time to get with it! Own two smaller CNC machines. Been using Fusion 360 since last August and have milled quite a few bodies - been searching the net for user friendly alternatives and heard and saw great comments about MOI - especially like the enthusiasm users have for the program and the programmer. Looking forward to further progress and seeing what folks here come up with.


Update: figured out how to put the string ferrules on the back . . . did it by moving the sketch items to the back and then extruding them. Why am I posting? I'm the only one here . . .lol

Nice Modelling VG!

I find MOI to be very good for this kind of work.

CNC is not unavoidable though, some templates and a router can go a long way.
Although if you change model often It's surely worth it.

Marc

Thank you Marc - yes the last project still involved some other tools - usually the fillet is much easier on the table router. Many thanks for the comment. :) This one below was modeled with fusion 360 - did it in steps - first hollowing out the body, then glued on the top and cut the rest. Looking forward to getting better with MOI - need to learn more about lofts and transitions.

heard and saw great comments about MOI - especially like the enthusiasm users have for the program and the programmer )))))

Nice work on this one also Neil!

We have a lot of ash wood available in Canada, sadly there's a bug killing them, the Emerald ash borer.

Marc

I can't get ash (the lightweight variety) from my supplier. Sorry to hear about that bug -hope they can do something about that. I have a cousin in Ontario - my great grandfather owned a farm in Saskatchewan - Used to visit occasionally - Canada and Canadians are awesome.

One tool that I like is using blend on 2d curves.
It’s useful in drawing profiles and produces great results

Marc

Thank you for the tip - will practice that next. Any other tips are appreciated - here is a bridge plate that was setup in MOI and cut on my small CNC today - have to get a better bit and raise the z axis some but for the first try pretty happy . . . the slots are for piezo saddles - each has a wire coming out from underneath . . .

I will be posting all my MOI modeling work here from now on as I've been told I need to "learn the basics." So based on what you've seen me post in this thread where should I start? I've already done most of the tutorials on the web site and a dozen introductory videos on youtube by cubify . . .

Thanks,

Neil

Here is a neck I've been working on - it is better but still not solid. What do you suggest I practice to get better at this? Believe it or not - this is good enough to mill and will only require a little bit of sanding. Thought it was pretty good but have been told that I need to better learn the basics - what can I practice to make this a better model?

Thanks!

Neil

Hi VG

For what it is worth I am very impressed with the progress you have made in such a short time. My focus is on architectural forms so I have not learned to do some of the things you are mastering. I think we all learn more nearly every time we use MoI and in my opinion the Forum is the best in the whole spectrum ... so many expert and eagerly helpful participants. Their answers help us all learn, too. Please don't go away.

cheers,
eric

Thank you Mr. Clough,

It's worth a lot! Thanks much for your input and support - sure you know how frustrating it can be when you're learning. Everyone here has been nothing short of very helpful. I won't give up. Just need to give it a rest for couple weeks - taking it too seriously. Love the program and the folks here have been fantastic. Some are some amazingly talented people and it's not hard to understand them loosing patience with a Newbie. By this time next year I should be pretty good at this. :)

Many thanks again, Neil

Hey Neil,

Took a look at your model tonight. Getting better...but few issues as you'll see in the attached pix...which stem from the "basics".

- Alignment of curves/surfaces are still off.
- Not sure how you built some of your surfaces but you can see the density differences.
- With the curves/surfaces alignment off...you won't get a true "water tight" solid model.

...practice the above "basics". ;)

M

Yep knew the headstock was badly done where I attempted to use scripts - but I like the heel. Thanks for the advice Mat10x


Attached is a neck I did from scratch - hence the odd headstock - used Barry's method of filleting. I need to get better at the process - but the main thing is it's solid and there are no big mistakes :)
 

N

Really like the look of this one - but alas it still has issues as it is all surfaces and not solid. Learning to use the rebuild command has helped a lot. This was done with basic commands and one script for the headstock transition area. The heel is just freeform curves built and then surfaced with the network command. Using trim and blend has been really helpful too - but it is tricky sometimes it works perfectly and other times not - and can't seem to figure out why.

Neil - When I started using MoI about 10 years ago I had no prior experience with a modeling program. I didn't even know how to spell "3D" :)

Initially I was having all sorts of problems, then from reading the forums, learned that precise alignment of curves was critical. I was just moving curves, and if they looked aligned & connected, I assumed the Construction Tools would work fine. Only after I began using the Alignment tools did the light bulb go off in my head.

I recommend downloading and installing Max's Custom UI. It places the alignment tools front & center where they are easy to reach. I find that I use these probably more often in a modeling session than any other tool. I suspect Max does too because of where he placed them in his UI.

I operate with Straight Snap & Object Snap turned on and normally with Grid Snap off.

Good luck and keep at it. Enjoy seeing the finished designs realized in wood.

Ed Ferguson

Hello Ed,

Will do! Wow 10 years - many thanks for sharing your experiences, suggestions and encouragement. Not sure where to find the file you speak of but I will do a search. Thanks again for the guidance!

Neil

Update: did a search and can't find Max's custom UI - Daves pops up though.

If you are using MoI ver 4 then look here:

http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6507.268

Ed Ferguson

Works awesome -can't wait to get started using the new interface tools - woo hoo! Thanks again Ed!

Hi Ed,

Michael pointed me toward this more recent version as well:

http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6507.1