Not my first 3D carving...

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Leo Voisine
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Leo Voisine »

T

It is different from point cloud date in more than that it has a G1 in front of every line. Each coordinate X, Y, and Z is also in there. Pure point cloud data is ONLY the numbers - no G1 or G0 or X, Y, or Z. Yes I could strip out the coordinates, I do know how to do that.

It's ok either way. I still don't know how to create a STL, OBJ of any other of surface, 3D model out of it.

The G-code is not what I am looking for. I want a 3D model surface. Kinda like using an STL to create G-Code, but in the reverse direction. I want to create an STL or other 3D model FROM either point cloud data OR from G-Code.

I have not seen anything in Vectric Aspire, Fusion 360, Solidworks or any other Cad software to convert G-code or point cloud data into STL or other 3D models.

It is quite easy for me to be missing something as I really do NOT know. I am trying to learn how to do it.

The link to Centroid manual just showed a list of manuals and I did not know what to pick out of that list.

I use Vectric Aspire, and reasonably versed in the modeling aspect.
There is a Gadget to import, but it imports only 4 or 5 specific file formats.

I am not quite as well versed in Fusion 360, but I took a quick look in there and didn't see anything. An internet search told me it was not possible in Fusion. I do not have Solidworks any longer.

In your response:
("These files can then be imported into any CAD/CAM software or viewed with a simple text editor.")
How is that possible - I cannot find anything like that.

So - I am trying to learn how to do it.

Have you ever done it?
How did you do it?

Please don't take me as being sarcastic or arrogant. It's near impossible for a novice to come across with proper "tone"

Really I do appreciate your help in this. I can clearly see that you are reaching out to try and help me.
I want the probing - but for the price I really need to get this feature to work as this is what I want to do with it more than anything else.

I like what I see in Centroid and I want to upgrade over this winter. I have a couple of customer jobs to finish up otherwise I would do it today.

Leo
Sword
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Sword »

I haven't dug into it, and at times could use it for some of the slabs that I do, but possibly take a look at Matlab or the open source version Octave along with the surface to stl plug in. This might give you the surface that could then be imported into Aspire.

Like I say, I haven't dug into it, but it might be a possibility.

https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab.html
https://www.gnu.org/software/octave/index
https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral ... 2-surf2stl
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by tblough »

I don't use Aspire, but a quick Google search turns up this:
https://gadgets.vectric.com/V11/regular_grid_importer

It should be relatively easy using search and replace in a text editor to convert the Centroid .DIG files into the format the gadget requires.
Cheers,

Tom
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Gary Campbell »

The raw .dig files are formatted to cut, hence the G1, etc line prefix.

The Digitizing, or Ultimate option also includes a "digi to cad" option that has only point data
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Leo Voisine
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Leo Voisine »

tblough wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 12:16 pm I don't use Aspire, but a quick Google search turns up this:
https://gadgets.vectric.com/V11/regular_grid_importer

It should be relatively easy using search and replace in a text editor to convert the Centroid .DIG files into the format the gadget requires.
Been there already. The file formats that the Gadget uses are .ISG --- .DEM --- .HDT --- .PCD
The gadget is originated by Paul Rountree
I found some sample point data files but none in those formats
None of the ones I found will import to Aspire with that gadget.

I have not tried simply replacing the file extension.
The aspire gadget is designed around topographical files produced by the US gov.
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by cnckeith »

hello. when using Centroid Digitizing routines, those digitizing cycles create G code files as CNC12 is actually digitizing in real time. these files have the extension. .DIG.
to convert a .DIG file into pure point cloud data use the DIG to CAD button in the Centroid Digitizing Menu. Select the .DIG file you want to convert and press F10. CNC12 takes the .DIG file and converts it to pure x y z points.

here is example.

the first 34 lines of the supplied sample digitizing file "20R.DIG" looks like this.. this is the "ready to run" G code file that was created by the Radial Digitizing cycle. You can graph this in CNC12 and you can run it like any other G code program.

; containment radius = 1.8750
; contour step = 0.0200
; z patch length = -1.0000
; z step = 0.0200
; full or partial = 0
; start angle = 0.0000
; end angle = 360.0000
; clearance height = 0.0100
; replay pattern = 0
; filename = 20R
; multiple patch = 0
; replay feedrate = 65.0000
M25 G0 X0.0000 Y0.0000 Z0.0000 ; NO DATA
G1 F65.0000
X1.7116 Y0.0000 Z0.0000
X1.7138 Y0.0203 Z0.0000
X1.7149 Y0.0406 Z0.0000
X1.7166 Y0.0610 Z0.0000
X1.7182 Y0.0814 Z0.0000
X1.7191 Y0.1017 Z0.0000
X1.7199 Y0.1221 Z0.0000
X1.7205 Y0.1425 Z0.0000
X1.7204 Y0.1629 Z0.0000
X1.7200 Y0.1833 Z0.0000
X1.7201 Y0.2037 Z0.0000
X1.7193 Y0.2240 Z0.0000
X1.7183 Y0.2443 Z0.0000
X1.7184 Y0.2649 Z0.0000
X1.7167 Y0.2852 Z0.0000
X1.7153 Y0.3055 Z0.0000
X1.7137 Y0.3259 Z0.0000
X1.7116 Y0.3461 Z0.0000
X1.7099 Y0.3665 Z0.0000
X1.7078 Y0.3868 Z0.0000

here is a graph of 20R.dig in CNC12.
20r.PNG
now if you want to import this data into a CAD system as a point cloud. use the DIG to CAD button in the Digitizing menu to convert to point cloud.

.same file....after converting to point cloud...
here is what the first 34 lines look like of 20.TXT after using DIG to CAD. (after the conversion the new file has same name but different extension, the new point cloud extension is .TXT)

1.711600 0.000000 0.000000
1.713800 0.020300 0.000000
1.714900 0.040600 0.000000
1.716600 0.061000 0.000000
1.718200 0.081400 0.000000
1.719100 0.101700 0.000000
1.719900 0.122100 0.000000
1.720500 0.142500 0.000000
1.720400 0.162900 0.000000
1.720000 0.183300 0.000000
1.720100 0.203700 0.000000
1.719300 0.224000 0.000000
1.718300 0.244300 0.000000
1.718400 0.264900 0.000000
1.716700 0.285200 0.000000
1.715300 0.305500 0.000000
1.713700 0.325900 0.000000
1.711600 0.346100 0.000000
1.709900 0.366500 0.000000
1.707800 0.386800 0.000000
1.704600 0.406900 0.000000
1.702400 0.427300 0.000000
1.699700 0.447500 0.000000
1.696100 0.467600 0.000000
1.692400 0.487600 0.000000
1.688200 0.507500 0.000000
1.684400 0.527600 0.000000
1.679800 0.547400 0.000000
1.675600 0.567300 0.000000
1.670500 0.587000 0.000000
1.665600 0.606800 0.000000
1.660500 0.626500 0.000000
1.654900 0.646100 0.000000
1.649100 0.665600 0.000000

and this is what 20r.TXT looks like when imported into Rhino.
20r rhino.PNG
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Leo Voisine
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Leo Voisine »

Keith,

Thank you for that information.

I don't have Rhino - maybe some day.

I don't have Centroid -- YET --- I am thinking January - February.
I currently have 2-3 customer jobs I need to finish with Mach3.
I don't want to shut down my machine until I clear it of customer jobs.
Leo Voisine
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Leo Voisine »

I DID IT.

Point Cloud to Aspire model - I DID IT.

1) Point Cloud Data.
2) Open in Meshlab
3) Save as STL
4) Open in some editing software
5) Create solid
6) Save as STL
7) Import in Aspire

DONE DEAL.
Now I can feel confident to spend the money on the Centroid Probing/Digitizing

I knew it was doable - but I needed to find the path to be able to do it.

COOL BEANS - I am excited!
Sword
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Sword »

Good. There should be an easier path, but if it works...

I was going to mention that one could contact Paul Rowntree to see if his "CSV" gadget would work for this. The manual reads like it should, but the script for the gadget is outdated and won't run in the latest version(s) of Aspire. I contacted him via his web page, so we'll see if he chimes in.
Scott
Leo Voisine
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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Post by Leo Voisine »

Sword, I tried the gadget in Aspire that I believe originated by Paul. I could not get it to work. There are many many point date file types.

If there is an easier way I would love to know.

I see LOTS of posts like - It "SHOULD" work thisa way, but I have not seen any posts that DETAIL an actual process.

I know it can be done in Rhino - but I don't have Rhino.

The ACTUAL process I pointed out really is not all that hard and it is free.

Paul Rountree of Guelph July 2020 -- a sad loss he will be missed by all
https://memorials.gilbertmacintyreandso ... e/4283846/
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