Go from photo to 3D model to cut from wood on the CNC

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I've tried, but I'm stuck. I saw a handcut wooden angel online and I would like to make that on my CNC milling machine. 

A friend of mine managed to make accurate paintings of the model. Those I put in an online picture to STL converter and then I got a model. But, it's not how it should be. The biggest problem is the edges not being smooth. 

Goal: to have my CNC cut a nice and smooth angel from wood

I would be happy to have a sketch in Fusion360 where I could just extrude the different sections of the angel. But then I also need to be able to extrude the lines between the sections. And then I can round the edges of all the sections. This would be ideal, as then I have the same edges everywhere. 

This is a private (not commercial) project, it's not to earn money.

I'd be very grateful if anyone could help me, even if it were just with one step in the process. 

The STL file is attached to this post.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

For projects like this, you should check out V-Carve pro and Aspire from Vectric.

Günther

[TrippyLighting]

---

@g-andresen wrote:

Hi,

For projects like this, you should check out V-Carve pro and Aspire from Vectric.

Günther

---

For intricate highly detailed carvings I would agree, but this is not too complex and can be done perfectly fine in Fusion 360.

[Anonymous]

It seems that I need to work with a vector file and then I can extrude the different segments from the model, in Fusion 360. So my goal for now is to go to a good vector file. 

[jeff_strater]

I recommend this technique:  Relief carving using T-Spline Pipe tool 

[TrippyLighting]

I did not use that technique but I did use a T-Spline:

 

[Anonymous]

I'm making progress but I'm not able to use the techniques that you are using.

Now I have the SVG in good shape, I think.

Last step is to extrude the different sections and give them smooth edges where needed. Extruding is not the issue, but I can't make the smooth edges in a good way. I tried that fillet tool, but then it looks unnatural. 

Could someone please have a look at this? I attach the file that I'm working with now. 

[TrippyLighting]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

…but I can't make the smooth edges in a good way. I tried that fillet tool, but then it looks unnatural.

---

That would obviously the reason I am using T-Splines 😉

if you want too learn, then I can create a screencast sometime.

[TrippyLighting]

Are you still interested in this?

[Anonymous]

Thanks, yes I'm still very much interested in it. I've found a nice piece of oak wood which I want to use for it and I've made some progress with the model. It's not as great as you guys here can do it, but I think I can be satisfied with the result, if I could just solve one last problem. 

I've created a toolpath, 3D contour, and this seems to look really good. I've tried other toolpaths before, like adaptive clearing, but that took much longer and I think it's not needed. So after the 3D contour toolpath, my plan is to cut out the model on the bandsaw and then sand it. 

Anyway, now my problem is that at some spots the toolpath wants to cut really deep and that makes it look strange. I was trying to correct this in the settingsof the toolpath, but didn't manage to solve it. 

Is there any simple solution to get rid of this issue? Thanks much.