Imported mesh and CAM cutting (F360)

[Anonymous]

In free Meshlab, reduced face count and converted from tri to quad mesh, total faces 1500 (could do more but just test), saved as OBJ.  Inserted this mesh into Fusion 360 and converted to T splines, and then to solid body.  Then tested CAM roughing 3D pocket operation.  Soon hope to cut this high resolution human face in various materials, like wood and aluminum.  Any questions let me know!

[daniel_lyall]

thats quite cool could you give more info on how to do the reduction in meshlab I have tryed but cant get it to work.

I have a lot of file`s I need to convert so your help will make my week

[Anonymous]

Wow, in the Create Base Feature mode, can import a mesh (even over 10,000 faces, this one is 9000, and can be triangular) and then immediately convert to body, no need to make into B splines. This is very fast and high face number capacity, for excellent CAM machining (roughing pass shown). Great for machining 3d reliefs. When I get my dopy mill to cnc actually working, will have to try this!

[Anonymous]

The voice in this video is crazy but I set it to jump to relevent part:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gueqiOkd5IE&feature=youtu.be&t=21m23s

He uses quadratic edge collapse decimation, which let's you choose desired number of faces.  I did not try selecting the other options he did for that filter.  I no longer did the tri to quad conversion, as is now not needed with my new comment.  Haven't tried smoothing but probably not needed and will only remove detail. 

This is such cool stuff!  Let me know how it turns out. 

[Anonymous]

It looks like Autodesk's wonderfully free Meshmixer should also work very well for stuff, although haven't tried it yet:

http://www.123dapp.com/meshmixer

[daniel_lyall]

just tryed did not work bugger

[Anonymous]

Here are what look like some good resources for Meshlab:

http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/polygon_reduction_with_meshlab

http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

I attached the famous high resolution stl rabbit (from thingiverse), with 10,000 faces (no issue at that level with speed), along with the CAM roughing operation. 

I don't know how good of resolution can be captured with a cool progam like 123D Catch, but would be interesting to start direct machining/combining with other stuff real world scans, 3D reliefs, etc. 

[Anonymous]

I need to go to bed but curious what specifically didn't work?  It definitely takes a little getting used to 😕

[daniel_lyall]

I am doing the same try some more in morrning

[Anonymous]

Sounds good 🙂

[daniel_lyall]

what ever I do I cant get it to work like you have it would be cool if you did a screen cast of the steps you use to get the stl files converted and useable 

[Anonymous]

I'll be sure to make one this weekend. 

[Anonymous]

Hey, I tried importing some files that were originally stl of 3d relief.  I realized that with a human face, 10,000 mesh faces are fine since a face is comprised of generally mild curves, but for some random 3d relief with lots of detail, 10,000 faces just doesn't nearly cut it.  I'm guessing that's the problem you were running into.  So I guess for anything needing lots more than 10,000 faces, won't really work.  I saw before you can import a much higher face obj or stl into Fusion 360, and then have a nice T spline 'wrap' around the object, but that's going to of course be very limited to number of t spline faces.  So unless at some point Fusion gets to where CAM operations can act directly on the imported obj or stl, won't work for now for typical 3d reliefs. 

[Anonymous]

It does look like though special case is possible, say for 3d relief letters: can import each letter as a 9 to 10 thousand face mesh and convert each to seperate brep.  Then can arrange them around as desired and perform CAM on the assembly.  All these breps together in one file does not seem to noticably effect performance from what I can tell. 

[daniel_lyall]

I think you are correct I think they need converted to a different thing how you first did it I will try with less mesh face`s but I think its the type they are is the biggest problem.

this and better 2D drawing is something fusion really needs I do my2D drawing in a diffrent program and just import them its not a big use just a bit more work

[Anonymous]

As I'm learning I'm taking notes and hope to put together a video of all the best practices and details that really help to know (including for say 2D drawing, constraints and what not).  I will also have a vid part for the mesh thing I just mentioned.  Fusion is an amazingly powerful program for what it's primarily intended for: CAD and CAM.  I have to say this is the first time in a long time I'm truly dedicated to learning the ins and outs of a software.  I'm very thankful Autodesk not only has this cutting edge/innovative and powerful software (besides CAD I'm I'm just learning CAM as well while finishing a hodge podge CNC machine), but also has the cutting edge/innovative license model that I've never seen before.  The license truly has very good intentions at heart, trying to empower more people instead of only short sighted greed which is otherwise so pervasive, and I'll do everything I can to help insure this model succeeds.  Fusion 360 is not perfect yet (is anything ever?), but I'm surprised with some knowledge of the ins and outs how quickly can make truly high quality and complex drawings, and then parts.  We are the ones that will help this empowering tool spread and succeed, and was just curious what other areas could help popularize it even more (like 3d relief machining).

Good luck with all your stuff!

[daniel_lyall]

I got to agre with that, it cost less than some other programs that in a year or to fusion will be doing with the same or more with cam to boot other than solidworks what cost to much for me this fits the bill for me. I can put up with the limatations I have acses to other progams that take up the slack for now but that is limited so I am going to put up with it and get on with it.

[Anonymous]

That's a good motto, "put up with it and get on with it!" 

I tried Solidworks before discovering Fusion 360, and I had no real motivation to really learn it to high level of proficiency, not only because of the cost for myself, but having the desire to teach others these tools for empowerment, upfront costly software restricts access for people right from the get go, and hence why really learn something really well to the point of teaching it clearly, if can't teach it to anyone!    

[daniel_lyall]

that's what I do every day put up with it and get on with it I am disabled so its be like that or be a drop kick moaning w___er. don't give me simplify just saying why I said that.

I will be playing some more soon got me kids to look after but I am going to try less faces, I am going to do the same .stl file to see if there is a happy spot.

if I can`t find one I will try to work out how to change the type the faces are.

[daniel_lyall]

that did not work I will see if .OBJ work better