Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

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TonyR
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by TonyR »

Sal - I'll have a go at sketching the formers a little later on in the week.
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bejant
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by bejant »

TonyR wrote: Mon May 14, 2018 1:27 am 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.
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TonyR
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by 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
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by tommeyers »

This was a waste of time.

Pearls before swine, Tom Meyers
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NormandC
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by NormandC »

TonyR wrote: Thu May 24, 2018 6:20 am 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.
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TonyR
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by TonyR »

What is a waste of time?
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TonyR
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by 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
FreeCAD01.jpg (47.41 KiB) Viewed 1207 times
2. Select Image, and click on the right hand icon.
FreeCAD02.jpg
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3. Open the image in the X/Z plane.
FreeCAD03.jpg
FreeCAD03.jpg (13.95 KiB) Viewed 1207 times
4. I can now see the image.
FreeCAD04.jpg
FreeCAD04.jpg (87.12 KiB) Viewed 1207 times
5. Select Sketcher.
FreeCAD05.jpg
FreeCAD05.jpg (39.11 KiB) Viewed 1207 times
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TonyR
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by TonyR »

And that's where it all stops - no drawing tools are available. Everything is greyed-out...
FreeCAD06.jpg
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TonyR
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by TonyR »

Here's my FreeCAD info:
FreeCADVer.jpg
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TonyR
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Re: Converting model aircraft plans into a 3D model for printing

Post by 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)
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