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Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 11:14 am
by Sword
Hey Dan,
So if I'm understanding correctly, you had to do a 3d model of the work piece and then place the 3d relief on that model?
Yup, that's it. Basically using an arched model to surface it off using a pocketing toolpath with the "Project toolpath onto 3D model" option. Then all other toolpaths are based off that shape as well.
I'm to lazy I would have just surfaced it flat
That's generally what is done, or just cut slightly deeper and finish up with a 3 x 24 portable belt sander. If I had surfaced it off flat, I'd of had a bark picture frame. :lol:

Scott

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 1:57 pm
by todd432
Scott
I'm no good at post processors but I like the idea of being able to switch to different smoothing profile In the post, and then switch back to a default smoothing profile at the end of a job.

I've added 2 new smoothing profiles to Acron but have not tried them, got a V-carve job to do first.
Would you have text file I could look over of your PP to see were you made changes.
I have V Carve Pro and would like to implement this if I can.
Thanks
Todd

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 5:44 pm
by Sword
Hey Todd,

Here's my postp modified for switching to "3D Relief Fine" and then back to "Precision Router". It has a lot of other modifications done to it and may or may not work for your machine, but you can look through it to see where I've placed them and you can drop it into your My_PostP folder to give it a try and spit out a file to look at. It will show up in your list as "Centroid (3D Relief Fine) (*.cnc)"

You should edit it to make sure that the G64 calls reflect the names you have given your smoothing settings. You can also use #'s according to the manual on page 221-222. Try a simple file (doesn't have to be 3d) and see if it works for you. If you have precision router set when you start and if you cancel the job, look at the smoothing settings to see if has been set it to the one at the start of the file. Then let it run through and it should be set back to your default.

Scott

Edited to add that the post processor guide for VCP is under the Help menu or the File menu and application data folder.

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Fri May 10, 2019 5:27 pm
by todd432
Hey Scott
Well I thew caution to the wind and plugged in your V-carve smoothing profile and went for it. :D

And I must say my machine was a lot less jerky at the corners and the Z was more fluid doing the lettering.
Bonus... didn't seem to add any more time to the jobs, all right around 2hrs 9 min.
I could tell by watching around the lettering the bit was more gentle in the tight spots.
I think this is going to make a significant difference in pine or soft wood signs with raised lettering.

I want to say it cut down the jerkyness by 80%, only rapid moves moved the machine.
My machine is on casters and a wood base....so the shake is never going away completely for me.
Now I got to try a 3D project and get that PP thing working.

Thanks man
Todd

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 8:26 pm
by cnckeith
super nice..thanks for posting the video and info!

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 6:24 am
by mrichards
I have I not tried it, but they have a point grid import gadget for Aspire => http://gadgets.vectric.com/regular_grid_importer.html
Perhaps you could use the Acorn probing routine to digitize the part and then import into Aspire? Probably could go with a course (quick) grid for this purpose.

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 5:27 pm
by Sword
Thanks Mark, next time I come across one that is that bad, I'll check it out. Hopefully not soon.

Another one done. Pine isn't my favorite, but it looked good anyway. Customer will likely add some coat hooks. I'd say I have the settings dialed in to where I'm happy with the results related to motion and detail.

IMG_20190530_161839.jpg

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 1:20 pm
by BDubs
Great info Scott. Thanks for posting your findings. This will save me time sneaking up on the right settings for my work.

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 6:49 pm
by Sword
Glad to be of some help Brady, you've given much help and knowledge over the years as well! 8-)

Re: Not my first 3D carving...

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 9:59 pm
by todd432
Hey Scott
Thanks for the PP file.
I finally had time to try it out.
I just used your file as is except for the dust collector
I had to change the M7 to M8 and uncomment it.
Oh ya one other thing I had to change was the naming of the smoothing profiles to match.

Worked perfect just like you said , canceled the job part way though , checked the profile and it had changed to 3D Relief Fine.
I reran the job to the end and checked the smoothing profile. It had reset back to precision routing.
That is so cool

Scott do have an medium 3D relief profile?
I used your settings and the detail really popped out on my buffalo nickle bank.
But it took 4.5 hours, the first time took only 2 hours.
I was thinking of maybe setting up another smoothing profile with a little less detail for certain jobs.

Thanks for your help
Todd