Complex T-Spline Part Design Help

[christianllewis]

Hi,

I am an experienced user of Blender - the mesh modelling program, so I've created the form I want in Blender, but the poly count is far too high for Fusion to import and convert to a format that's useful for CAM. I also need to drill four holes (it's obvious where they need to be). I just can't think of an effective way to create this shape inside Fusion 360. Could anyone give an example of a decent way to create this type of shape, please?

I can't seem to get the STL file attached, so the best I can do is give you some screen shots.

 

Thank you very much

[PhilProcarioJr]

@christianllewis

Lets back up a bit, what is the polygon count and is it all quads?

[christianllewis]

The polygon count is 31,306 quads. I recognise the chance of reducing that without losing too much important detail, but I'd like to be able to make it in Fusion anyway because I'll be doing a lot more parts with similar styling in the future.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@christianllewis

Ok slow down, what you want to do is actually exactly what your doing right now. Zip your obj file and post it here and I will show you how. Since you have so much experience in Blender use that to your advantage. Blender and Fusion play very nice together.

[christianllewis]

Here you are:

[XanderLuciano]

Hijacking this thread for a second since you seem knowledgeable, is there anywhere I can export a model from fusion with the materials so I can rendering inside of say, 3D studio max, with other non fusion models? Or at least a way to export out from Fusion with the correct UV mapping so I don't have to manually map it?

[PhilProcarioJr]

@christianllewis

First step is to upload the obj file to a project directory in Fusion. I will make a video right now to show the rest. I am uploading the video now as soon as it is done I will post it.

[christianllewis]

I've already managed to upload the OBJ to a Fusion project and even converted it to a BRep so CAM can work with it, but it's painfully slow and difficult to modify further. I'd like to have the smooth, efficient nature of doing it all in Fusion.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@christianllewis

Give me 5 min and you will see exactly how to do what you want. Trust me when I tell you that you really don't want to do everything in Fusion. The T-Spline tools are just not where they need to be for this, but you can still work smoothly and get things like this done and I will show you how.

[christianllewis]

Ah you're life saver! I didn't think to do the second conversion! Thank you very very much!

[PhilProcarioJr]

@christianllewis

Your welcome, if this solved your problem can you accept it as a solution?

[XanderLuciano]

That second conversion got me also haha. Couldn't figure out how to add that hole. Gunna add this trick to my toolbelt for any future uses.

Now, if there were just a way to go from a solid body made in CAD to t-spline, then back. Is there another trick I missed?

[PhilProcarioJr]

@XanderLuciano

That can be done, but it is more work and a bit more difficult. If you give me about an hour I will try to make a video on that to, I have a few errands to run right now. But keep in mind the way you will do this is completely dependent on the form so each model will require a different approach.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@XanderLuciano

"Hijacking this thread for a second since you seem knowledgeable, is there anywhere I can export a model from fusion with the materials so I can rendering inside of say, 3D studio max, with other non fusion models? Or at least a way to export out from Fusion with the correct UV mapping so I don't have to manually map it?"

You can export the models but the materials will have to be done manually. As to the second part of correctly UV mapped the answer is no.

[TrippyLighting]

Below is just a selection of all the Ideas in the idea station that request UV mapping, mostly for texturing and export.

However, if Fusion 360 would combine UV mapping with displacment mapping you could also create very detailled structures for example for 3D printing without the need to model it.

This can be done in Blender, for example. Ahh... preaching tho the choir I guess 😉

Please throw your vote in the hat for all that appeal to you!

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/uv-export-for-render-api/idi-p/62983...

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/direct-fbx-obj-export-and-mesh-conve...

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/better-mesh-export-topology-normals-...

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/obj-poly-mesh-export-incl-uv-maps-be...

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/provide-uv-mapping-control-for-textu...

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/advanced-uv-control/idi-p/5633979

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/collada-or-obj-or-fbx-export-with-uv...

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/export-uv-mapping-to-external-render...

[XanderLuciano]

Now you've got me wondering if I can make a t-spline surface from a heightmap through the API... Gotta go dig into the API once again and check out what I can hook into!

Thanks for all the links though! I'm not surprised it has been requested before though, fusion would be a great free and simple tool for game developers to make simple models quickly with. I think fusion has a much gentler learning curve compared to Blender/maya/3Ds, plus some hobbyist game makers use skektchup, which I feel is similar enough to make picking up fusion360 really easy for them.

Thanks!

[TrippyLighting]

There might already be a Fusion 360 script available to do that.

[XanderLuciano]

Maybe! But I've been looking for a project to do with the API so I can learn it better anyways 🙂