I thought I’d take a stab at making more resin parts. This time, I’m again venturing into uncharted waters, so to speak, by utilizing a 3-D CAD program to build my pattern masters. The software has a wicked learning curve, with about a million features and functions, so it may not go as quickly as I would like. But with my “total immersion” philosophy, I’m sure I’ll get myself into a corner in no time! Here’s a shot of an assembly of several individual components:
Can anyone guess what aircraft the parts are for? For an easy answer, I have posted more photos of this project on my website ( http://www.vairhead.net/modelshack ) in case anyone wants to see more of the project.
Looked at your website, well put toget6her, I say. What software are you using for your 3D modelling. I’ve used AutoCad for years but it isn’t very good for what you are doing. I have a copy of Solidworks but haven’t really spent any time with it. By the way, I only see the “dreaded red X” on the images here.
Edit: Oops, we must be writing in real time here, the images are up.
Very cool… I too worked w/AutoCad for a few years and can you have some fun… The interior looks to be for a Hurri!!! Maybe yes maybe no?? Spit? Yet I want to say a French design…
Ah, I see I’m not the only one with a background in the CG modeling as well as scale. I did CGi animations and set design for the better part of a decade. Started while I was still in HS with games, and had the pleasure and privilage of working on the last Star Trek movie to be released [not the upcoming one]. I loved it. I worked with 3D Studio Max 3-6 and Character Studio 1-3. It was fun, but it really accelerated the Carpal Tunnel I was getting from video games. I’ve always been curious about using them to create stuff in scale though. I’d love to be able to take some of the models I did for Paramount and Activision and turn them in the scale models. That would be awesome!!
Here is some of the stuff I did, if anyone is interested.
Cad cam is an awesome modeling tool! Imagine the possibilities of using auto-cad in conjunction with a rapid prototyping machine, wich can produce identical copies based on data input. One can always dream.
I think it was FSM that featured an article and contact information about an out-put service. You email them your order with an attached file and then a package arrives back to you with a 3D, resin part. Actually I think you get a couple of copies… I fell off my chair when I read about this modeling technology that is now readily available!
Yes, they mentioned Printapart (www. printapart.com). I will most likely be sending my files to these guys and see how they do with it. They should do very well, I would imagine, based upon things I’ve seen in an article over at Aeroscale.
Autocad is like the tool that 75% of the designers use, but alas it’s soon pitched after the initial design work. It nearly impossible to intergrate it with the typical CNC machine of today without going thru a ton of extra work. There’s one from Meridian (I think that’s it anyway) that just flows right into a FANUC control, but most of the better outfits are moving into Unigraphics these days as it’s easier to program off of. Myself I stayed with the old and easy to use 1997 release of Cadkey. Drawings are very user friendly, and are much easier to intergrate into a typical CNC control. There are a couple really good 3d CAD programs out there, but be prepared to take out a second mortgage (one is close to six figures!). The best CAD program i’ve ever seen is the one Chrysler bought a few years back (they own all exclusive rights to it). As it’s drawn the computer starts the tooling process on it’s own. Cannot believe whatkind of a work aid that is! Lastly if your really serious about doing 3D then you need to be thinking about alot of computer; unless you have a MAC G5 or a SUN. . We tried Windows on 3D at work, and finally gave up on it. Worked right off an IBM 370 instead.
Back to Autocad (I have release 2006 somewhere around here). We found that nothing was easier to work with sectioned drawings than Autocad. But we also found that it often screwed up basic deminsions on it’s own. It’s very fast. and pretty much user friendly at a cost. Where as plain jane Cadkey was slower, but took you thru each step one by one (where you will catch the error of your ways). Unigraphics does the basic three or more view drawings all the while doing a 3D one at the side. Alot of times this is nice just to see what you are building, but of little use otherwise. Meridian will take you thru the machining process as well as the programing. You can even run it thru a “dry machining cycle” while it’s still in the PC. It’s like a must with a wire EDM. Autocad Systems has a lock on all the schools, and that’s why it’s used so much. Lastly if you planing on using a Bridgeport with the aftermarket CNC setup, then forget Autocad as they wont accept it off a disc. We learned the hard way.
Have any of you guys tried Rhino 3D? It is very cool, and well-suited for this sort of thing, too. Very easy to use, and affordable (under $1000). Its only drawback is that it is not dimension-driven, like SolidWorks.
Mark,
Hope the 3D printing works out…I’ve used stereo lithography before - it works exceptionally well, except all the parts need post-finishing, as the discrimination between “layers” on compound curves leaves a step than needs to be sanded and polished.
SolidWorks is a great 3D tool - very powerful (it’s a dumbed down version of Catia from Dassault Systemes - you know…Jaguar, Mirage, Falcon - and missiles - also widely used in the automotive design industry), and it’s pretty expensive to buy.
You also need to spend bucketloads on a high end computer to run the thing…I know…I’ve been using Solidworks at work for 3 years…and had a computer system built for my home to cope with the intensive graphics requirements…$3.5k later, the thing rocks and rolls…it’s GREAT for games, lemme tell you…
We’re using SolidWorks 2007 (soon to be upgraded to 2008) - If you have a question on the software, by all means, shoot me an email. I can’t guarantee I’ll have the answer, but I’m happy to try and find one for you.
Lee, that is a most generous offer. As a complete SolidWorks novice, I’m certain I will have more questions. My first nightmare came from using the “Flex” tool (Insert–>Features–>Flex). What a crazy tool!
I’ll try not to make too big a pest out of myself with my questions!
I use Matrix software which is an add-on to Rhino at work to design and mill wax for jewelry applications. I have to admit, I have used it to design a 1/48 scale functioning landing gear unit for a Corsair! [:P]
Solid Works is a pretty good package (a shrinked ProEngineer kind of) I really like ProE except the price ! and currently i do not have a license to use it anyway.
The idea of using 3D cad and a rapid prototyping “printers” is not new and in fact I love it.
One can model the whole kit (with internal details) and build it with one session. No fun but cool [swg]
I think the part in 1/48 in size of one cu inch costs about $25
BTW: in my opinion for aircraft design the Catia and Unigraphics may be the best but for mechanical parts the ProE is unbeatable
Mark, I would so love to play with Solidworks like you have. I’m an engineering student so I’ve got a couple CAD programs (Solidworks and Inventor) and I need to dive in and learn how to use these things. A dream of mine is to make correct flaps for the P-51A kit!!! Your project looks good, I’m excited to see how it turns out. Methinks this summer I’m going to have to sit down at the computer for a few days and learn myeself lol
Max, it’s good you have the engineering background, you’re gonna need it if you try the program! I wish I listened to momma and went to college, because even the “SolidWorks for Dummies” instruction book is written from an engineer’s viewpoint. If someone is coming from an artist’s viewpoint, like me, the landscape is hostile, cold, and unforgiving! You will probably get up to speed much quicker than I am. I now deeply regret that I slept through Geometry class!
