topic Re: Was Indian wood carving project in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 15:28:06 GMT

Hello,
I am completely new to Fusion 360 and 3D modleling. I have a project that I would like to do on a CNC Machine. I would be using Vcarve but I need to bring in a 3D model. Would anyone have a suggestion on how I could create the image I attached below using Fusion 360 or a combination of Fusion 360 and another software. Thank you.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

jodom4 — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 16:13:52 GMT

Hey torrewjones2002,

This is a very ambitious project for a beginner. It would require a lot of sculpting and some pretty complex CAM toolpaths to get a similar result.

Mudbox would probably be the best tool for the sculpting part of the project, you could then bring that model into Fusion to create toolpaths for the CNC. https://www.autodesk.com/products/mudbox/overview

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

TrippyLighting — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 16:30:57 GMT

I'd have to agree with @jodom4.

If you are a beginner at 3D modeling then this project is solidly above you skill level.

Being able to sculpt an object with such intricate detail even in Software particularly aimed at creating that level of detail e.g. Autodesk Mudbox, ZBrush, 3DCoat or Blender requires a lot of training and practice.

Once you have created such an object in these softwares there are a number of other technical challenges to be overcome as sculpting software creates heavily triangulated and dense polygon meshes, where CAM usually prefers solid geometry.

None of that is un-solvable but it's a lot more involved than a month worth of weekends.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 17:35:29 GMT

Thank you both for your input. Yes, I am aware that it will be a lengthy process. But I am motivated and also I have no timeline that I need to follow. I would like to learn a skill and wanted to know what software I should devote my time and efforts into becoming proficient at. Since both of you have mentioned mudbox, I will investigate.

Thank you both again and if any other software comes to mind please do let me know.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

ToddHarris7556 — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 01:48:59 GMT

A hearty YES to all of the comments listed above - this is a complex project, even for an experienced professional.

To take this on as a first project is... ambitious. Kudos for enthusiasm, though.

Since you didn't articulate a workflow other than using VCarve and Fusion, I'll just offer the following to start:

There are three basic approaches to 'creating the model' that come to mind.

1) Start with a JPEG, and use software to create a 'bump map' - i.e. extrude the image to create a bas-relief type 3D model. You can do this in Photoshop, and a number of other programs. The software essentially looks at the color value of each pixel and turns it into an elevation (Z-height) kindof like taking a topo map and extruding it to actually view a mountain range.

2) 3D scan an existing carving. If you have an existing 3D model, then there are basically to techniques available - do a laser scan, or use photogrammetry to create a 3D model. Laser scans create a 'point cloud' which is a series of 3D dots/measurements that describe the surface. Photogrammetry uses a whole bunch of pictures from different angles, then the software tries to figure out the geometry by stitching all the pictures together to form a solid. Laser scanning is more accurate, typically, but it depends what you need. Photogrammetry can get you a fully-colored model quickly which can be useful for presentations.

3) Model the thing from scratch. No matter what tool you use, the process basically involves importing an image as a reference, then 'tracing' it and creating features to match the reference. Or, if you're *really* ambitious, ditch the reference image altogether, and just jump into the deep end of digital sculpture. 🙂 Mudbox is a great tool. There are lots of great tools - Fusion 360, Mudbox, 3ds Max, Maya (all Autodesk) all have different strengths and are geared toward different markets/users.

Whatever your workflow, the first challenge is creating the model. The second is machining it. I'm not sure really where the breakdown between Fusion 360 / VCarve will be for you, or frankly, if you need them both. VCarve is a great CAM tool, and it has some strengths in some artistic/creative areas that Fusion does not. I could see Mudbox/VCarve as a possible path.... or Mudbox/Fusion. I'm not sure what you'd gain from Mudbox>Fusion>VCarve.

In any event.... just understand that you've bitten off a rather large bite with this one. Don't let that intimidate you, but understand that there's a lot involved.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:10:14 GMT

Hello Todd,
Thank you for your response. Do you think I could use a bump map… And then go in and clean up all the noise on the bump map and just use that. I don’t need deep carving on the image I showed you, but I would like it to look clean… It (the image I showed you) is more going to be a “ghost-like “ relief on the board that has other more simple (but deeper cuts) carved into it, which will surround the image that I showed you. Thank you again. Torre

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

ToddHarris7556 — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:24:23 GMT

I don't know what level of detail you're looking for, or whether it will meet your needs, but it is a legitimate and efficient workflow for certain applications. There is a LOT of detail in the image. To manually create all of those features - or even to go in and manually *clean up* all those features - is a lot of work. If it's intended to be a background image, then it very well might be plenty of detail.

There are lots of tools out there - Google 'Lithophane' and '3d relief photo'. Some are free, some are paid, and they have different learning curves. I even found a Fusion Script but I haven't tried it so can't vouch for it. I wouldn't say that this approach is 'better' or 'worse' than modeling from scratch - just a different approach.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

chrisplyler — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:43:28 GMT

Also check out Autodesk Artcam. Artcam is pretty speficially designed for this type of work.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

TrippyLighting — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:45:56 GMT

@chrisplyler wrote:

Also check out Autodesk Artcam. Artcam is pretty speficially designed for this type of work.

I would not touch Artcam with a 10 foot pole as it's been discontinued.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:26:14 GMT

Okay, Thank you Todd. I will look into the programs that you mentioned. Doesn’t sound like it’s an easier route...just a different route if I’m understanding you correctly. Thank you again for the quick follow up. Hope your having a good day.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

ToddHarris7556 — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:56:11 GMT

Personally, I think it will end up being a lot easier using a bump-map workflow.

I just think that there's a little learning curve involved. It will give you different output - not the same crisp, clean CAD geometry that you'd get from modeling, but I also expect it's 15% of the effort. My gut says it'll be adequate for your need, but only you can evaluate that.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

chrisplyler — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:57:43 GMT

I didn't realize Artcam was discontinued. Sorry. It looked like it was ready made for exactly this sort of thing. Including CAM.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

PhilProcarioJr — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:07:08 GMT

@chrisplyler

"It looked like it was ready made for exactly this sort of thing. Including CAM."

It was and it is a great product, sadly Autodesk bought it out then pulled the plug on it like they did with other programs and tech...….but because it is discontinued I wouldn't use it now either....sad really. There are a lot of very unhappy ArtCAM people out there.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:11:29 GMT

Is there anything that is a replacement for it. OR (if autodesk was not the original creator), is the name of the originator-company known and do they have another offering that is similar?

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:19:04 GMT

It was Delcam who made the artcam software

you could try Vectric V carve pro as an alternative to the artcam program.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:59:29 GMT

Thank you Chris. Okay great. I will definitely look into the company. I am familiar with Vcarve, but only surface level. Thank you again.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

ToddHarris7556 — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 11:39:39 GMT

Before we actually migrated to Fusion, we used another CAD/CAM package that did have a pretty capable raster/art module. I thought the products were reasonable, at the time, but despised the company and it's business practices so much that I really couldn't wait to find a replacement.

We made the jump to Fusion, and contemplated investing in ArtCam, as we occasionally missed that functionality from the old package. During the evaluation, we looked at Vectric's products, and they looked to be *really* strong on the CAM side, maybe less so on the technical CAD side. They seem to have a very enthusiastic and positive user base.

I would be loathe to recommend the package that we used, but I'm also not here to trash them publicly.

Re: Was Indian wood carving project

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 12:05:54 GMT

Thank you Todd. Somehow your mail came to my spam this time. But thanks again.