Direct Import from Sketchup 6 "Pro" to Partworks?

[gerryv]

Hi, as a new Shopbot owner, I'm trying to decide on the best hobby level approach to creating 3D files for use on the 'bot.

Has anyone had any experience in this regard with the new Version 6 Pro edition of Sketchup? Any comments on its accuracy being equivalent to the 'bot's capabilities?

Thanks much,
Gerry

[mzettl]

Gerald,

The simple answer to your question is, "No." You can export a 2D Sketchup drawing as a DXF or EPS file and then open that file with PartWorks (VCarve). However, you cannot create a 3D file in Sketchup and save it in a format that can be opened by 3D CAM software to the best of my knowledge. If you export a 3D Sketchup drawing, and then import to Partworks, you will get a bunch of duplicated vectors, and a big mess to clean up.

With a Sketchup model, you have to take individual components and create the 2D profile you are looking for, usually in plan view. That 2D drawing can then be exported in a vector file format that Partworks can import.

That is a very brief summary. I have been using Sketchup for about 3 years, and the Bot for 2. I use Sketchup for all of my furniture design work. That being said, I often find it easier just to draw the part I want in VCarve, rather than going through all of the export/import issues.

Hope that helps some.

-Matt

[gerryv]

Thanks Matt,

What has me wondering is that Sketchup are saying this about the $495 "Pro" Version 6:

No matter what other software you use, SketchUp Pro can export a file it can read.
Export 2D drawings to CAD programs with DXF and DWG. (((Can we add that it can export 2D or 3D)))

Export vector art to illustration and page layout programs with PDF and EPS.

Export 3D models to rendering, animation and other modeling programs with 3DS, OBJ, XSI, FBX, VRML, EPX and DAE (Collada).

Are you using the Pro version 6?

[donclifton]

Sketchup Pro will export a 3d file in several formats.
3ds,DXF, obj and others

[bill.young]

I think a lot of it depends on what you mean by 3d model.

If it's a "real" 3d model, something like a horse head or a terrain model, then it can be exported as one of the 3d formats and should be able to be toolpathed in Cut3d. There are plugins to import point clouds and also create irregular surfaces, but there are much better programs for this kind of modeling than Sketchup.

If, however, you're talking about a 3d model made up of 2d pieces, like a cabinet or a furniture project, then Sketchup might do what you want. Rob Bell probably knows as much about doing that as anyone, has created a plugin to generate ShopBot part files from Sketchup models, and writes a column for the ShopBot website.

http://www.shopbottools.com/robsmagic.htm

Hopefully Rob will jump in and offer his expertise


Bill

[kirkkelsey]

For modeling Cabinetry and other part that use mainly a profile/outline cuts and pockets, we use Alibre Design. The Xpress version is free and should be adequate for needs from Hobby to light professional use. Alibre is a 3D Solid parametric (you can use formulas and equations) modeler in which you create a solid model of your design or part. You then create a drawing from that solid model, and can then export the drawing output to a DXF file for cutting in PartWorks or VCarve Pro. You can also create layered DXF files, which will make changes to your design even simpler to toolpath. The nice thing about using layered DXF files is that the toolpathing changes with the change in the design. For example if you want to cut a 9x12" rectangle and you create a layered DXF file with the 'profile" layer for cutting the outline, you can then specify a tool for that layers geometry in PartWorks. If you need another size rectangle, you modify the Length and Width of the Alibre model and when you open the drawing, the profile layer information resizes to match the new size of the model. You simply re-output the DXF again, and map the tool to that same layer in PartWorks. Faster and simpler than reading this explanation.

Alibre is not well suited to items where PartWorks 3D / Cut3D is your software of choice. But, you would be amazed at some of the stuff we design that can be cut with ShopBot's PartWorks.

We are glad to answer specific questions on how to use Alibre Design, and we have a video tutorial on how to design a Keepsake Box on our website: http://www.kelseywoodworks.com/proddetail.php?prod=tutkeepsake This video requires the BBFlashback player whose link is on our Links page. We have also posted other woodworking related instructional material on the Instructables website under the CAD group: http://www.instructables.com/groups/CAD

Any new software takes some effort to learn, but you will not have to spend any money to find out if Alibre is right for your use. Contact us via this forum or our website as we are always glad to help new users get started with Alibre.

We began using Alibre because we were discouraged by the limited capabilities of most cabinet software and the price that was out of the range of the small one man shop and hobbyist. Alibre Design is a powerful CAD program created for doing design work and well suited for woodworking design.

Kirk Kelsey
Kelsey WoodWorks
www.kelseywoodworks.com (http://www.kelseywoodworks.com)

P.S. If you have two computers you can install the free version of SketchUp on one computer and learn how to use it, and the Pro version on another. The lengthy demo time of the Pro version can then be used only to output your DXF and other formats for your use, until you determine if SketchUp is right for you. We also use SketchUp in a limited manner and export our Alibre models to SketchUp for texturing and rendering, and allowing customers to do room layout with our cabinetry models.

[mzettl]

I think Bill summarized the issues very well. Sketchup is certainly not the ideal program for modeling certain types of 3D objects. For what I do, furniture design and construction, it is an excellent option. I use the pro version, and the only difference between it and the free version is the export capabilities, as mentioned by others in this thread. I use it primarily as a design tool, and it is excellent for client demonstration purposes. I use it in a more limited fashion to generate parts for toolpathing on the Bot.

Although you can export a 3D file from Sketchup, and ultimately create a toolpath from that file with CAM software like Cut3D, the result is much more inefficient, at least in my kind of work, than working with 2D files. For example, to cut a tenon on the Bot is much easier using a 2D toolpath than generating a 3D toolpath.

I know I'm not making myself totally clear, but I hope I'm getting the point across. I have watched Rob Bell's video, and he certainly has put a great deal of time into this topic, as Bill also mentioned. He can certainly explain it better than I can.

I think that you will find as you get into CNC, that there is a lot of experimentation that goes on. Ultimately, you will find what works best for you, and that may be different than what works for me.

-Matt

[rob_bell]

Was someone talking about me? I've been busy running the bot and pushing sheets and I'm not quite up for air yet. From what I see here the question has been well answered. At the moment, the best way to go from Sketchup Pro to Partworks or Cut3D is via dxf or 3DS export.

-rob

[gerryv]

Thanks Rob,

I've seen discussions that I took to mean that there was no direct or straightforward route from Sketchup to Partworks. I'm guessing because people may have been referring to the free non-pro version. Just to clarify then, and assuming I would do the Sketchup (Pro) end correctly and export it as a .dxf or .3DS should I expect a generally clean import into Partworks/Partworks 3D?

Thanks much for the clarification.
- Gerry

[rob_bell]

Yes, there are a few things to know before exporting from Sketchup Pro.

Explode ALL your curves.

Encapsulate geometry into groups by layer if you wish overlapping/crossing vectors to remain separated once in Partworks.

Once in partworks I generally lock and hide each and every layer and then one by one unlock, join, toolpath, relock and rehide. Its the only way to stay sane.

-Rob