SketchUp Topo

[cnc_fabricator11]

Good day to everyone,

We've recently finished assembling our PRSalpha and are testing out file types to cut. I have a sketchup model with a draped topo, and I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction as far as cutting out the topo with my tool. One option that comes to mind is exporting the skp file as a 3ds into Rhino? I'm not sure if that would translate very well. Or Is there an easier way to cut a topo model from SketchUp?


Thanks,

-P

[adrianm]

What software do you have available? Partworks, Partworks 3D, Aspire etc?

I export from Sketchup Pro in obj format and import that into Aspire. PartWorks 3D supports that file format too.

[cnc_fabricator11]

Thanks for the reply,


PartWorks and PartWorks 3d. I was hoping to get by with that for now. So have you or know someone that has exported SketchUp topo successfully to PartWorks3D?

[adrianm]

I don't see why it shouldn't work. Once the drape has been created it's not seen as any different to any other model by Sketchup as far as the export process is concerned.

Before I switched to Aspire I did quite a few Sketchup models in PartWorks 3D without problems.

[cnc_fabricator11]

Excellent,

I'll give it a go, if I run into any issues ill let you know. Is there a reason you switched to importing your sketchup files into Aspire? Like I said, i'm trying to stick with PartWorks and PW3D for now, but if Aspire is worth I might have to invest.


Thanks,

-P

[adrianm]

The biggest advantage of Aspire over PartWorks 3D when working on imported models is the ability to clean up and further process the model before cutting.

Also I find it much easier to model reliefs in Aspire than I do in Sketchup. I tend to use Sketchup for more traditional furniture designs these days.

[cnc_fabricator11]

adrianm,


Another quick question, when you exported from sketchup did you use .3ds or .obj? Also, what export settings, if any, did you change in sketchup to create the best output file for partworks 3d?


Thanks,

-P