Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

[TonyR]

Sal - I'll have a go at sketching the formers a little later on in the week.

[bejant]

Totally what I'm trying to achieve

You can download the FreeCAD file I posted and have a look at how it was done - what you want to do is a continuation of that using more cross section Sketches.

Make sure your Sketches each have the same number of segments, in approximately the same locations, for Sweep and Loft to give you the desired results. Otherwise you can end up with some really crazy shapes.

[TonyR]

Question: I have a software package that allows me to create the Former outlines using splines etc., but in an easier way than FreeCAD.
It can export the data in DXF format - can this be imported into FreeCAD to create parts with?

[tommeyers]

This was a waste of time.

Pearls before swine, Tom Meyers

[NormandC]

I have a software package that allows me to create the Former outlines using splines etc., but in an easier way than FreeCAD.
It can export the data in DXF format - can this be imported into FreeCAD to create parts with?

Yes, with some work. IMO best would be to convert the imported geometry into sketches.

[TonyR]

What is a waste of time?

[TonyR]

I tried following your suggested steps, Bejant, but I still get stuck.

I open FreeCAD and:

1. Select Part Design/Create new empty document.

FreeCAD01.jpg (47.41 KiB) Viewed 291 times

2. Select Image, and click on the right hand icon.

FreeCAD02.jpg (17.37 KiB) Viewed 291 times

3. Open the image in the X/Z plane.

FreeCAD03.jpg (13.95 KiB) Viewed 291 times

4. I can now see the image.

FreeCAD04.jpg (87.12 KiB) Viewed 291 times

5. Select Sketcher.

FreeCAD05.jpg (39.11 KiB) Viewed 291 times

[TonyR]

And that's where it all stops - no drawing tools are available. Everything is greyed-out...

FreeCAD06.jpg (67.29 KiB) Viewed 291 times

[TonyR]

Here's my FreeCAD info:

FreeCADVer.jpg (55.16 KiB) Viewed 289 times

[TonyR]

OS: Windows 7
Word size of OS: 32-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 32-bit
Version: 0.17.13515 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-17
Hash: e17b340949b75a226cc7d89989b0aa238ccfc75f
Python version: 2.7.14
Qt version: 4.8.7
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 7.2.0
Locale: English/Australia (en_AU)