From: Matadem
Good day.
I am trying to export a step file to Freecad to do some operations but for some reason I cannot get it to work.
On Freecad forums I was told
The type of this surface is BSplineSurface
The Pocket operation can not process this type of face
Is there a way to change this when exporting to Step file?
I am trying to use Freecad for the cam portion since it has adaptive tool paths.
Tnx!
From: BurrMan
In cam a “pocket” is USUALLY a 2d operation. Is you surface a simple 2d planar shape? Extract and use curves for pocket operation
If it is 3d, consider other toolpaths. A curved 3d surface cut would not normally be called a “pocket operation”
Maybe more info on your file can help?
From: Michael Gibson
Hi Matadem, what types of objects are you trying to export, is it stuff like spheres and cylinders?
By default those types of surfaces will export out to a STEP file as BSplineSurfaces.
But you can set an option so spheres will be a SPHERICAL_SURFACE in the STEP file.
To do that go to Options > General > "Edit .ini file" button and inside moi,ini find the section labeled [NURBS Export] and set the option in there WriteAnalyticSurfaces=y
I'm not sure if that is what you're looking for.
- Michael
From: Matadem
I was trying to follow this tutroial >
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U23eLLXuX3o
attached is a pic and the file I made to test it out and the Freecad.
Id can setup this in Vcarve within a minute.
setup tool database is way confusing in Freecad lol.
but I need to learn Freecad for the adaptive toolpath and fusion360 is no option for me with online/cloud stuff.
Tnx!
Attachments:
camt.stp
camtest.FCStd
Image Attachments:
toolp.JPG
From: Michael Gibson
Hi Matadem, so if you set WriteAnalyticSurfaces=y inside moi.ini then MoI should write out PLANE surfaces instead of B_SPLINE_SURFACE_WITH_KNOTS.
That's what I did to make the attached version.
Does this file behave better when you load it into FreeCAD?
- Michael
Attachments:
camt2.stp
From: Matadem
Ok it is showing some toolpaths so I am going in the right direction with the file you provided.
I am running some more tests tomorrow.
Thanks!
From: Matadem
Ok it works!
So I am going to play with it some more and do some test cuts....
I always think that Freecad could be a better program if it wasn't free lol.
I always follow its progress...
Thanks!
Image Attachments:
Capturefreee.JPG
