Using Rigged Objects

[Anonymous]

I am incredibly new to the world of 3D design, and quite frankly have been feeling overwhelmed by the level of skill that would be required for me to go it alone and design all my own objects. I want to have the ability to create a design then print/cut/laze the design once done. I am not super artistic so this does present a problem... or so I thought. I recently went looking for 3D models I could download. Being the newbie I am comes with knowledge limitations that I am slowly trying to overcome. Doing web searches and finding answers on all kinds of disparate web pages and finding answers to problems that while close, but not quite close enough, to my questions is frustrating. It's time I take it to the next level and ask some questions in a forum.

Here's my problem of the day. I went looking for 3D models I could purchase and download for projects to pass the time and keep me mentally active. I stumbled across several sites that have incredible models and my imagination kicked in for such projects... but, I noticed that a great many of the human/animal/alien/cartoon models were displayed in a rigid form with humanoid figures being in a classic "T" pose and animals in what look like classic museum poses. I then saw the words "rigged" and "fully rigged" attached to these models. I went on a Google hunt to find out what this meant and I was suddenly introduced to the wonderful world of skeleton rigging and spines. Now my imagination is on fire, but through numerous searches of forums and FAQs I have come to find out that Fusion 360, my absolute favourite 3D design and manipulation program, doesn't support this feature. Great, back to Google and the forums to look for answers... which brings me to today. I read in another thread that a person needed to manipulate a human figure to help design an accurate exoskeleton. The Blender program was mentioned in the answer, but only in passing.

Now, after all that, my question is:

Is there a way to use this Blender program to load the "rigged" 3D model, manipulate the skeleton of that model to make the pose I am looking for and then export that file in a format that Fusion 360 can read and manipulate? I want to pose a figure and then make changes or add objects to it.

If not this Blender program, then what would be suggested?

I appreciate the knowledge and wisdom of the group.

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Yes, that can be done, however, This can easily overwhelm  a beginner particularly if you only have a little experience with Fusion 360, and you might have to adjust your expectations. There are many stumbling blocks.

e.g if you want to 3D print one of these Models it must be a closed object. If it is a mesh you can pose the figure in Blender and in that case you don’t need Fusion 360 at all as Blender Exports .stl files very well.

However, many if not most of these objects do not enclose a volume watertight. They are created purely for visualization. Then you’ll have to develop the appropriate modeling skills to close these volumes. That takes time!

[laughingcreek · Accepted solution]

blender is precisely the software you need to use for rigged models.  These will be mesh  type models, and mesh models don't work well with Fusion, which makes brep/nurbs models.  blending the 2 types of models into a single workflow takes a good bit of expertise with both methods of modeling.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

First of all, thanks for the quick reply. So, Blender exports .stl files which I know work on printers, but I am considering a CNC router in the near future. I had seen a video in YouTube that had a model "sliced" in Meshmixer and then each of the slices were cut separately then glued together to make the solid object. My ultimate hope was that I could manipulate the rigged object and then somehow save it as a format that Meshmixer could use to "slice" the object before loading it into Fusion 360 to generate the G-code for the CNC.

Is this a complete pipe dream or is it in any way remotely possible to do? If there are other programs or add-ons that are needed, what might they be? Also, I know the learning curve is likely steep, but I do have a knack for learning new skills... I once taught myself how to boil a pot of water with less than 1 full page of instructions... lol.

[Anonymous]

First of all, thanks for replying so quickly. Is mixing the 2 types of models common practice? One of my ideas for the future is to purchase a CNC router and use Meshmixer to slice the 3D objects before exporting to Fusion 360 to generate the G-code. I watched a YouTube video where this was done and thought it would be a very cool thing to try, especially after discovering there were such things as Rigged 3D models. Pose it, slice it, cut it then glue and paint it.

Is this a pipe dream for a newbie like me? I am a fairly quick learner, especially when motivated.

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

... Is mixing the 2 types of models common practice? ...

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In the professional CAD world that would be a resounding NO!

In the hobby and maker areas, this is more common. Accuracy is of no concern and many times people get acceptable results following particular workflows suggested in a tutorial.

However, there are many, many stumbling blocks and if you come across some, come back here and ask questions.