[Beezer]

I am self taught in the use of AutoCad and I have been only working in 2D for the last 5 or 6 years but now I want to start learning more of the 3D side of the program, since I have a CNC router now and I would like to do more 3D style machining. I have this part I need to machine and I was finally able to draw it in what I guess is called 3D Wireframe but I need to convert it into 3D Solid so I can properly import it into my cam software and then generate the 3D toolpaths to cut the part. What do I need to do to change the wireframe drawing into a solid?

Any help or advise anyone could offer would be great.

I have attached the drawing I need to change.

Thanks,
Carl

[ger21]

You can't. Not exactly, anyway. Attached is you're drawing, with the solid, and a few steps in between.

If you're using MeshCAM, there are 2 ways to get you're model into MeshCAM. The easiest way, is to use the 3DFace command and save as a .dxf. Change to a different layer, and, using the 3dface command, pick the 3 or 4 corners of every face in a clockwise direction. After you've done all the sides, delete all the lines on the original layer and save as v12 .dxf. This works with 3 or 4 sided faces only. You can use the mesh commands to do similar with curved surfaces. Just remember to explode meshes before saving.

Way #2 (Solid). There are 2 basic ways to start to get a solid part. You either start with the solid primitives, or you extrude or revolve lines and shapes into solids. After that, solid modelling consists of subtracting and adding multiple solids to and from each other, as well as slicing, chamfering and filleting.

Step1) I took the outline of the base of your part, selected all the lines, and used the REGION command to make it a region.

Step2) Extrude the region to the height of your finished part. (To extrude something, it has to be either a region, or a closed object - see the help file for more info.)

Step3) Use the Slice comand to cut away what you don't want.

When exporting to .stl file, the model must be in the positive octant of the UCS. That's where it sits in the drawing.

It's a good idea to look through the help file. The user guide has some good info on creating 3D objects. If you're doing solid modeling, you only really need to know a few commands:

Extrude
Revolve
Union
Subtract
Difference
Slice
Fillet
Chamfer

These will let you do probably 99% of what you can do with AutoCAD solid modelling.

Here are some good tutorials. There listed newest first. I's start at the "Modeling Primitive 3D Solids",August 14, 2003, and work your way up from there.

[Beezer]

Thanks Gerry. I had a feeling it wouldn't be as simple as I hoped. Guess I was hoping there would be a magic little command hidden away somewhere that would do all the work for me. LOL I will try and find that tutorial since I will probably be doing more solids in the future. Not sure what your experience is with Mastercam but is doing solids with it easier then with AutoCad?

Thanks again for your help.

Carl

[ger21]

I haven't really used it, but I think MasterCAM would have a much higher learning curve.

Here's those tutorials. http://www.caddigest.com/subjects/au...torials/3d.htm

Sorry 'bout that.

[Beezer]

That is an excellent website. Thanks.