Vectorart 3d files

[GlenP]

Hey Guys, if I buy and download a vectorart 3d file can I edit it in STL format? I need artwork of a bird head and not the whole graphic. I use aspire but customer is unwilling to pay design costs to create new artwork. I could cut the whole file and then cut off what I don't want but would rather just edit the artwork before cutting. I know VA3d format I can't.

[cabnet636]

glen, import into aspire and copy into model, move component out of the way and draw a complete vector around the section you wish to keep, then touch the "clear area outside of vectors" icon in modeling tools, make model into component and move on!!

jim

[don]

Hi Glen,
As Jim posted while I was doing screen shots..... He's faster than I am.

After importing the stl file.
Select your component in the 2D window.
Then use the trace feature to trace around your model.
Once traced, edit the nodes to manipulate the vector around just the area your wanting to keep.
Once your satisfied you have what you need, copy the component back into your model, hide the model, select the vector that surrounds the area your wanting to keep.
Then on the drawing menu, under modeling tools, select the last icon (Clear working model outside of selected vectors)
Select the "Make working model into Compoent" icon

I've attached a some photos
The component in the 2d and 3d windows.
The component copied into the model after the trace.
The last one is after I used the traced vector as a cookie cutter and removed all of the model outside of the traced vector.


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[GlenP]

thanks Jim...I knew there had to be a way. Need more spare time to play with aspire. I know there has been lots of guys that are not very busy but I am swamped right now. My sign guys I cut for are dropping in jobs left, right and center and I already have cabinet work on the go. Not complaining but why is it either feast or famine.
Hope everyone else is keeping the wolf away from the door. Thanks again Jim.

[GlenP]

Thanks to you too Don. I just tried it with a V3M file and it will not trace the working model but I can manually draw vectors and manipulate nodes to remove what I don't want. Do you guys suggest I buy models in the STL format instead of V3M? Thanks for the help, as usual this forum is priceless.

[GlenP]

Never mind guys....I just reread and it worked fine on V3M. I was doing something wrong before...duh.
I now can edit the graphic and get it ready for a early morning cut. Night Yawl.

[don]

On the Vectric forum, James Booth has suggested that the V3M files will have a much better resolution.
So that's what I've always downloaded.
The model I've posted was originally from a V3M, but for this example I exported it as a STL to make sure it would do what you were asking for.
As you can see the triangulation in the bottom right image.
I didn't smooth it to show the stl results, although this can be fixed by using the smoothing tools.
Hope this helps.
Don

[ssflyer]

Glen,

A few months ago, they changed their policy on file types. I you bought a model in one format, you can now go back and download in any other format they offer. It comes down to your software and what you need. STL files, as an example, can be imported and edited in CAD programs, to do most anything with...

Regards,
Ron

[navigator7]

Ron,
Run that by again?
STL can be edited in other CAD programs to do most anything with?

I had a Z-Corp 510 full color 3D printer. You could import many different 3D files. I asked about editing STL files and the price for a program that would do such work exceeded a PRS Alpha.

Once exported as an STL....and then imported, the STL as I know it becomes a dumb solid.

Can you tell me what will edit an STL file today?

This would be shocking news to me.

Chuck

[cabnet636]

aspire edits .stl or at least reworks the model in the program. it will save .stl as well

jim

[navigator7]

Hi Jim.
So...are you telling me ...If I imported a 3" rpund ball as an .stl, I could edit it with Aspire????

If true...that is powerful!

When you import a pic in greyscale, is the file created then, an .stl?

[cabnet636]

the chess players were scanned into an .stl and imported into aspire as a .stl the divided into 2 halfs and machined in slices

king was 72" tall and the queen 60" both 24" at the base

jim


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[cabnet636]

king of chess!!

jim
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[ssflyer]

Chuck,

My bad, I was thinking a different file type - long day
I have done limited editing on stl files in CAD programs, but basically just cleanup, adjusting vertices, control points...

Sorry for the mis-information!

Ron

[navigator7]

James,
Thanks. I understand. Can you manipulate the king and adding or removing features?
(IE giving a smile instead of a frown?)

Ron,
Aspire is one of the most profound program I've seen. I can't wait to be an owner. It sure seems to me an .stl is a dumb solid.

To All and The Admins:
I got this text from somebody abusing this forum:

"
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"Hi Chuck,
My name is Eric and what the other guys are saying is true... do you need some other programs for your art work? If so, I'll give them to you for converting your files... Drop me an E-mail and let me know what you want... Most of what I have are hacked, but they're free.. And you can use them for what you want... I don't have the $$$$ that others do and I'll do what it takes so I can cut what I need...
Eric"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My experience running another website suggests that any e-mail containing rr in it is pure bad news!
Our site and the email addys of those within it will be under attack.
Don't e-mail this guy.


Lastly,
I only buy software that is properly licensed.
Thieving someone else's property is not conducive to creativity, morality or an existence on this earth I want to promote.
Expectation of a free lunch is one sure way to create hunger.

[myxpykalix]

One thing i find about stl files is tht they are so much larger then other file formats. My conclusion is that they contain more polygon and vertices information and therefore make them more editable?
Plus i think it is an older file format that is more universally used by different programs.
Have you ever opened a object that looked like it was from the "bizarro" world? (you boys who grew up reading superman comics know thew reference also hence my name)

Well that blockiness is from the reduced amount/size of polygons/vertices in an object, the more the smoother the contours of your object will be. Hence the more, the larger the size of the object.

[ssflyer]

STL files come in 2 flavors - ASCII and binary. The ASCII files are much larger than their binary counterparts. The format simply describes the geometry of a surface, in triangles. Depending on the tolerance chosen to create the file, it can almost look smooth or the triangles can be obvious (There's your bizarro look, Jack)

There are ways to manipulate them in some CAD programs, but it usually limited to just moving the vertices, smoothing, etc. i.e., not a lot!

Jack - LOL, I never noticed your username, before! Superman had to get Mister Mxyztplk to say his name backwards to send him back to the 5th dimension

[shoeshine]

It might be worth noting that 3D files in general usualy come in a couple of flavors as well. (there are a few other ways to describe 3D objects, but they arent common in the softs most of are using these days)

spline and polymesh.

.3ds is an example of spline format

spline is the 3D implementation of bezier curves i.e. vectors. It has a lot of the same properties as vectors in that the curves and surfaces are described by knots and control points. Thus you can scale the object without worring about resolution.

STL is a polymesh format.

polymesh is a way to decribe surfaces by breaking them down into facets. this means that the file has a resoulution. all curves are ultimately made up of a lot of little straight lines. the higher the resolution the smoother the object appears (and also a bigger file)

in this example a sphere is described in 3 ways.

1st is a nurbs or spline object it is perfectly smooth as it is made up of bezier curves.

2nd is the same sphere saved as a low-res polymesh - bizzaro time.

3rd is again the same spere saved as a high-res poly. much smoother but still made up of lots of little polygons.


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anyway just a little background, dont know if this helps

Chris

[navigator7]

Thanks Jack, Ron and Chris!

Focusing on the poly mesh file, or what I would call an .stl file imported into Aspire or a SB program, can you then manipulate the triangles by pushing or pulling the nodes....or is the file "dumb" for all intent and purposes?

In 3D printing, if a .stl file was improperly created, the file was said to "leak". Thats is....somewhere in the file, triangles didn't connect up. Consequently the file wouldn't print. The Zcorp program I used had the ability to seal or heal the leak but you couldn't change the overall shape of the .stl.
It could be just one teeny tiny little line and the file is messed up. Quite frustrating at times.
My Cobalt program will highlight the bad spots and allow you to repair the model before you save it as an .stl.

Is this the same in Aspire?

Another thought that comes to mind is the the reports of some who report their router inexplicable dives into the material.
I'm wondering if this could be from an attempt to heal a leak with improper x y z coordinates?
(You might create a crater and not see it?)

Also, does a .wrl or .vrml file mean anything to you SB guys?

One more question:

When you import a greyscale and create a cut file in Aspire, is this an stl or an Aspire file?
(I've done it but my Aspire trial timed out.)

Ron...Thanks for broadening my sphere of knowledge regarding Jack's Nic! ;-)
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Mister_Mxyztplk_(Earth-Two)
"The being who would later become known as "Mister Mxyztplk" was born into the Fifth dimensional realm of Zrfff where magic rather than technology and science flourished. Spending most of his life in mastery of magic forms used throughout his native dimension of Zrfff, Mxyztplk grew in power and scope as did his arrogance of his abilities."

Does this guy sound like a botter or what? ;-)

[myxpykalix]

And all these years i thought it was Myxpykalix
MIX-PICK-A-LICKS

wrl and vrml are 3d file formats or files that can be imported into some 3d programs. (i think)

oh yeah and Chuck Thanks for crushing a little boys fond memories only to realize he had it wrong for 50 years!!! lol

I suppose you are going to tell me next that Yogi Bear couldn't really talk and he didn't steal pic-a-nic baskets, eh boo boo?