Creating a Solid

[operatorWMEUA]

I'm not a CAD designer so I have just done the best I can with this. I need to make a mold to thermoform a plastic piece on so I've drawn this. I need to convert it to a solid so I can export an STL file for the 3d printer. I did this by extruding. Can someone tell me the steps? I've tried reading up everything I could find, but nothing is working.

[Patchy · Accepted solution]

Like this:

Draw the end view with a polyline, then offset to get the interior.

Loft the outside, Loft the inside.

On top, draw the rectangles and use it to PRESSPULL thru the shell.

Union them.

Follow the drawings and you'll get the hang of it.

[ennujozlagam]

@operatorWMEUA hello, you can try this in the command prompt type "shademode" and see if this helps. thanks

[dishithmc]

Dear Mr. operatorWMEUA

Please find the attached video for your reference.

Hope this could help you.

Regards

Di****h.

[operatorWMEUA]

Man, you guys are great. I'll be spending some time on all these suggestions this morning and I'll share my results. Thanks everyone!

[operatorWMEUA]

Patchy, I guess I should have changed the angle a bit more to show that the rectangles on the top are raised. Imagine like the knobbies on a dirt bike tire.

[operatorWMEUA]

I've gotten so far, but I'm stuck. I've recreated the drawing and I've made the rectangular array. Now I'm trying to extrude the array and I get "Cannot sweep or extrude an object of this type".

I notice in the video that when the array is selected that each point in the array is highlighted and in my drawing when I select my array it just highlights the entire thing with no points highlighted if that makes sense. Can't see where I've done anything different though.

Attaching my file, if I can be nudged in the right direction that would be great. I want to learn this so guidance is all I need.

[operatorWMEUA]

I exploded it, now I can extrude. Moving forward!

[Patchy]

I don't think it can be done with irregular surface, it can be done with an arc.

(I can't open your drawing, it's too new for me)

[operatorWMEUA]

Can I fill the subtracted array (knobs)? Maybe convert it to an object that can be raised?

[Patchy]

Can you save the drawing to 2007 format, I'll take a look at it.

[operatorWMEUA]

Here you go!

[Patchy]

The way to do it is SLICE using a surface, if this is what you're after.

This is before using UNION, Union and then use command STLOUT

[operatorWMEUA]

That is what I'm after. I thought I had it. I converted the subtracted array into an object and moved it up .1875" which to me looked like it gave me the raised knobs I needed. How do I look at it the way you're showing me where is looks solid? Attaching my last save.

[Patchy]

How about this?

[operatorWMEUA]

That looks like exactly what I'm trying to do. What is the second step you did where you have only one knob sticking up? How did you create that? The rest makes sense after that.

[Patchy]

Set osnap to endpoint, use PLINE command draw around the base, extrude vertically to get a solid then copy 7 more still using endpoint for accuracy.

[operatorWMEUA]

I have to thank everyone for helping me with this! Invaluable resource here.

[operatorWMEUA]

Well I thought I had it. Am I done? Can I export this as an stl for the 3d printer? If not what do I need to do now? Attached it again.

[parkr4st]

you have a basic profile of the front in you first post. arched pline top rectangle sort of thing

add the four bumps profiles to that profile

add a polygon with the bottom profile the top of your arch/pl

extrude the lower full width

extrude the upper the width of the gap and side cuts : may require copying the upper profile if different width extrusions are needed

subtract top solids from bottom soild

done.  you'll have to check it out for dimensions, etc.

attached

dave