Machsupport Forum
G-Code, CAD, and CAM => G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions => Topic started by: VOTS on January 24, 2007, 11:11:45 AM
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I'm sure more than one of you has either heard of, or more importantly, is an avid user of Blender 3D. (For those of you scratching your head, prepare to be amazed and go here: http://blender.org/cms/Home.2.0.html)
I am a bonifide expert at modeling in Blender 3D, so my obvious question is. Making widgets in Blender, and then going from there to G-Code --> Mach3.
I have exported some very basic models into DXF and tried to use them in Mach3 but so far, I haven't had much luck. The general issue I have is that when exporting to DXF, the DXF itself isn't very well supported with other CAD/CAM programs. I had a long session with a fella you runs a waterjet with me trying to get him a DXF that he could actually use. So I know the limitation here is with Blender. (Or thats my edjumacated guess)
I have read through http://www.becausewecan.org/blog/ where these folks are doing just what I am asking about, but they are using a $500.00 CAM program between Blender and Mach3.
So... Anyone... Anyone out there with this same type of set up?
Hep me!
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Check out www.meshcam.com and http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectric/cut3d/c3d_index.htm
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Thanks Gerbil ;D
Actually, the Cut3D is exactly what Jeffrey McGrew of Becausewecan.com is using. That is the $500 software package I mentioned in my original post. I got a reply from Jeff just after my post here where he kind of detailed out his process and explained the *gap* between Blender and Mach3. Still, $500 bucks. I just spent $3,000 on my CNC Mill and another $160 on Mach3 figuring that I was good to go. finding it hard to believe that more folks out there are not exactly where I am with Blender and that a more viable (cheap) solution isn't out there. One thing I don't understand about Mach3 is... I see in the manual talk about importing DXF files and the such. (File Import) But my Mach3 doesn't seem t have the option. (Yes I have the latest release). Is that an add-in or something?
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Go to File and click LazyCAM, thats the dxf importer.
Graham.
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Thanks Graham;
Just found that last night. Had dimissed 'Lazy Cam' because I thought it was something totally different. (Cam = Camera to me)
hehe
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LazyCAM and the old Mach3 .dxf importer can only handle 2D .dxf's, not 3D.
Cut3D is $299, and you can get MeshCAM for $150
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Been fiddling with both of them.
MeshCAM has been able to create some fairly decent G-code for me so far, but I need more time to explore it. Cut3D is less expensive than I originally thought. I was rather taken aback by the fact that Cut3D doesn't do Bitmaps. Although, I should say that Meshcam isn't handling 3D files very well so far. But, I'm still experimenting. thanks for all your help.
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What kind of problems are you having with MeshCAM. I've never seen a problem with it's file handling.
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Well, several of the DXF exports from blender give me an error stating that 'No Polygons detected' or something to that effect. Which is of course hogwash. I can take the same DXF and open it in a dozen other CAD programs. But found that exporting to OBJ from the same file works. My issue now is, the way the cam programs go about making the tool paths. I mean, the 3D carving is awesome and I totally see the benifits. But, the primary thing I want to make here is more of a cut-out. Something that you would cut out on a waterjet. I would like the CAM software to simply create a toolpath that follows the lines around and in the objects I'm trying to make here. So far, Cut3D and Meshcam don't seem to be able to trace a contour as a toolpath. but then again, I'm rather green with them. :)
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To use .dxf's in MeshCAM, the .dxf must consist of 3D face entities only. With MeshCAM, .stl is a better choice to use.
You want to cut the profile of a 3D object? You'll need to spend some money for that. Much simpler to draw the profile in a 2D CAD app and use LazyCAM or SheetCAM.
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Yes, sounds like you are looking for 2.5D instead of 3D (X, Y, and 'up or down' vs a continuously variable Z). Have a look at the SheetCAM website and LazyCAM as ger21 suggested. Can Blender render a 2D projection of what you want to cut out and then export that as a 2D DXF/HPGL/etc for something like LazyCAM?
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Looking at a few 2D CAD programs. Including Sheetcam. Blender doesn't support HPGL, I can export a flat (one vertices tall) DXF. But using either meshcam or Cut3D, but still want to 'carve' the object instead of cutting it out around the profile. I still have need of programs like Mescam, I rather like it. Evaluating Sheetcam, lazycam, and another I found called G-Code-IT. G-Code-IT is very simplistic, but, it makes 2D profile cutouts just like I was looking for. Only issue with it so far is scaling factor. everything I make is tiny when run through Mach3 or my CNC simulator. Getting closer.... Who knows, maybe one day I'll actually try to use my bloody CNC machine.
hehe
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OK, maybe I'll take a different approach and try to illustrate exactly what I'm trying to do. I have been at this all day, hours with Sheetcam, G-Code-it, Meshcam, Cut3D, etc, etc,etc.. Still, I can't seem to get what I want...
So here is what I am working with.
(http://www.wikkid-widgets.com/images/_Drachen_Hollow.jpg)
This is one of the many shapes I am trying to cut out. The nose and eye should be cut out, and then the outline.
From Blender, I have exported the same thing into a DXF format. (Attached) I have run both of these through all of the programs listed above in a dozen different ways each. I have gotten some rough G-code that looks like it when it's run. But it's still trying to 'Carve' out the whole shape, instead of just cutting the outlines. Sheetcam, won't recognize the DXF at all so far as I can tell. I load it, I get no errors. But there isn't anything on the screen. The G-Code-It program seemed to be the most promising, as I could load the JPG as a background, do a rough trace of the outline, and it actually made a decent example of what I am trying to get. Unfortunately, tracing the image is extremely cumbersome, and doesn't get me the crisp cutout I am looking for. Ideas anyone? I'm salivating to get a good G-code of a cutout and actually try out my mill!
Thanks for ANY insight you could offer in advance!
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The problem is your DXF file is incomplete, for the shape you have shown it should be hundreds of lines long, It looks like you are not outputting all the layers.
Graham.
This is all that is in your DXF.
0
SECTION
2
TABLES
0
TABLE
2
LTYPE
70
1
0
LTYPE
2
CONTINUOUS
70
64
3
Solid line
72
65
73
0
40
0.000000
0
ENDTAB
0
TABLE
2
LAYER
70
1
0
LAYER
2
Meshes
70
0
62
254
6
CONTINUOUS
0
ENDTAB
0
ENDSEC
0
SECTION
2
ENTITIES
0
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I did a quick conversion of your Jpeg and this is the DXF file It generated.
Try it.
Graham.
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The problem is your DXF file is incomplete, for the shape you have shown it should be hundreds of lines long, It looks like you are not outputting all the layers.
I wouldn't be surprised in the least that Blender is the root of my problems. Yet, If I open that same DXF in any CAD program, I see the full dimensions that I expect to see. I opened up the DXF you created (thanks a million for taking the time to do that by the way!) and the only different I can see, (aside from it being roughly 85 times bigger) is that yours has each segment as a separate entity. I.e. Each line connected by two vertexes being a separate object. Mine, it's all connected in one object. I don't know if that makes a difference. but it is very interesting. I am going to fiddle with the one you made and see what I can come up with. Again, thanks for looking at this with me!!
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I wouldn't be surprised in the least that Blender is the root of my problems. Yet, If I open that same DXF in any CAD program, I see the full dimensions that I expect to see.
Are you sure the file uploaded correctly? The file you posted won't open in AutoCAD or Rhino, and the file appears to not contain anything as Graham said.
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Are you sure the file uploaded correctly? The file you posted won't open in AutoCAD or Rhino, and the file appears to not contain anything as Graham said.
Well, you nailed that one on the head. Went to open the DXF file I uploaded, and now it's hose beaned.* Here is the same file, but the edges have been extruded.
*Hose beaned - CAD/CAM technical jargon meaning 'missing allot of pertinent data because it's been fiddles with too much...'
P.S. Just purchased Sheetcam. Went through one of the tutorials, and it is supposed to be able to do EXACTLY what I am after here, :)
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Hi, VOTS
Hear it is in g-code LazyCam generated, you'll need to edit the Z & f-speed.
Hope this Helps, Chip
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Thanks Chip!!!
Thats a little more than I expected! hehe. You guys have been great. I seriously want to learn this stuff and all of you have been a great help! I actually generated my own cutout G-Code with Sheetcam. (After I scaled down the DXF GER21 made) I measured that one at a whopping 241 inches tall! hehe. (You guys must have BIG machines). Have a nice little g-code at about 6 inches tall. And it seems to run groovy. Methinks I might actually be at the point where I will run it on the mill! *Begins to salivate freely*
BTW: If any one else comes looking for Blender / Mach3 help, one thing I have definitely figured out is the Blender's DXF export function does NOT handle 2D mesh's correctly!!!!! Although it looks correct in allot of applications, the absence of faces causes the edges to 'negate' themselves during the export. What you end up with is a kinda connect the dots outline of vertices's that have no connection to each other. I have submitted a bug fix to the Blender Guru's.
Hopefully, my next post here will be of my first widget cut by my mill. (Which will be very much like a junkies first hit of crack cause I have a feeling this is gonna be VERY addictive. hehe) :)
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My CNC cherry... has just been popped!
(http://www.wikkid-widgets.com/images/MyFirstCut.jpg)
I'm even hacking together a guide to show others how to do this. There has been allot of people wanting to use Blender as their modeling tool. In hindsight, I think it would be better to pick something a little more conducive to the task, but....
Thanks a million guys, you got me over that last bump and into where I want to be!!
;D
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Yeh Haaaaa!!!!!! Now shake that money maker. :D
Well, Quantum will take the shake out before long.
Brett