topic Re: 3D Fractal modeling in Fusion 360 for 3D printing in Fusion API and Scripts Forum

3D Fractal modeling in Fusion 360 for 3D printing

jlee799C4 — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 20:49:10 GMT

Hello,

I am in need of learning how to incorporate simple scripting (Python) to Fusion 360 so that I can generate 3D geometry based on mathematical functions, in particular fractal geometry. I need to generate 3D printable geometry so that I can print out the 3D fractal structures.

The following video shows a series of exquisite images and 3D printouts: half-way through the video clip 3D printed fractal structures are displayed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG3FY799HmE

I am particularly impressed by some of the 3D printed fractals shown from 1:33 in the YouTube video. I also attached a composite image of the type of things I want to 3D-model and print out.

I found that there are some ready-to-use 3D fractal geometry creation softwares such as Madelbulber/Mandelnbulb3D and one can even buy pre-made 3d model files (GoogleImage with 3D+fractal+modeling will show you a host of amazing 3D models and some of printouts). As a learning process/project, I do NOT want to use pre-made 3D files just to print them out. Rather, I want to learn how to use math equations (or Python script-based algorithm for that) together with Fusion 360 to generate my own 3D fractal geometry (stl file) that is compatible with 3D printing. I have an access to Form1+ SLA printer.

If someone could direct me to the initial steps I can follow, I would immensely appreciate it.

Re: 3D Fractal modeling in Fusion 360 for 3D printing

hanskellner — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 19:51:25 GMT

This is a nice article on creating 3D fractals and then how to 3D print them:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Create-a-3D-printed-3D-fractal/?ALLSTEPS

It would be a bit trickier with Fusion but possible. Your code would need to generate a fractal model and then reproduce that model within Fusion. The reproduction part is the hard part. If you were to want to do this with Fusion you would need to do something similar. For example, create voxels from your fractal model, and then duplicate those within a Fusion document.

Re: 3D Fractal modeling in Fusion 360 for 3D printing

sebmorales — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:50:19 GMT

You can also take a look at Reza's Instuctable for MAYA and MEL scripting http://www.instructables.com/id/Introduction-to-MEL-Scripting-in-Maya-3D-Fractals/

I would hope some of the learning to be transferable into fusion.

Re: 3D Fractal modeling in Fusion 360 for 3D printing

hanskellner — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 01:02:08 GMT

This isn't exactly what you are looking for but it's the result of me thinking about how to do what you would like. As a quick test I wrote the following script that creates a Menger Sponge:

https://github.com/hanskellner/Fusion360MengerSponge

The process of creating it would be similar to how you would create some of the fractal patterns you are considering. There's room to improve but it's a start. And it's giving me ideas on how to improve the process of creating these types of models.