[SamLS]

I need to generate a solid model for some molds which are split rock and stone. Like a castle wall. I need to generate the rounded chipped surface so I can make a mold. What software should I be looking at to generate these types of surfaces to be machined. I'm looking for something canned that would take alot of time on my part editing the surfaces. Thanks

[dcarr]

I don't know if there is anything that is totally "canned". But I sent a few minutes using VS3D to come up with this:



I started with a rectangle, added a bevel, some random texture, and a few ridges and depressions. Once I had a rock finished, I stacked three of them and then did an automatic nesting (Allowing 180 degrees of rotation). So all the rocks in the wall are the same, but some are actually inverted. All in all, it took less than 10 minutes to build the surface.

I assume you are interested in carving concrete forms ?

VS3D home page: http://www.designscomputed.com/vs3d

[SamLS]

This looks like it may get the job done. Can I do such from a digital picture or BMP file? Thanks

[dcarr]

Yes, if you have a digital photo (BMP, TIF, JPG, etc) you can convert the image brightness to surface height. Like this:
http://www.designscomputed.com/vs3d/...mg_emboss.html

[whiteriver]

If you have software for creating a height field from a bmp the I would suggest getting Dosch 3d textures for Stone and Concrete. They contain bumpmaps which is a correctly greyscaled bmp.

http://www.doschdesign.com/products/...ncrete_V3.html

Donny

www.whiterivermfg.com