Simple Solid Model Turtle Shell

[vmontefusco]

Greetings

This is a little out of my area of design, so I would appreciate a simple solution if there is one.  I need to create a turtle shell approximately 20" x 12" x 4" high. It needs to be a solid model so I can shell out its thickness and add features inside of it for mechanical things. However, I also need to create a turtle outer shell look. Meaning I would create a plan (I guess) above the shell, design a turtle shell pattern than cut the pattern based on matching the outer shells shape. 

Is this an impossible task for Inventor Pro 2018 without meshes and the like?  

Thanks

Vince

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! You may want to take a look at Freeform tools. You can start with a Freeform sphere or a Freeform box. Then use Edit Form command to tweak the shape. Make sure it is symmetric to a plane.

Many thanks!

[vmontefusco]

Johnson

Thanks for the reply and new way to design solids!! 

Question: If I create a solid with an Freeform shape, how can I design the turtle shell pattern and cut into the top of the shell to replicate the turtle shell? I see "Match Shape" in Extrude, but the check box is not active (grayed out).

Thank you

Vince

[vmontefusco]

Johnson

I've attached a Freeform test design and would like to know how I would create a slight design cut out at the top of it that would conform to its shape. Is this even possible? If it is, then I can create the turtle shell using your suggested Freeform plan and then create the turtle shells top design.

Thanks

Vince

[vmontefusco]

Hi Johnson

I am created a simple test between typical part extruded and freeform.

I created a solid part with an extrude of 1/2". Then I opened freeform and created a freeform design on top of the extruded solid part. Then I clicked out of freeform and I do not see what I created as a solid. How do I convert the freeform design to a solid?

Please see the attached.  When I learn how to do this, I need to create the attached turtle shell (upper portion).

Thanks

Vince

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Vince,

This is an interesting model. I don't think you would be able to create a turtle shelled model in Inventor very close to the real thing shown in the picture. You might be able to get some scanned mesh data and then import it to Inventor. Use the mesh as a guide to rebuild geometry in Inventor.

In the meantime, you could try using Freeform Convert workflow. You can use Freeform -> Convert command and select the extruded faces. Then the faces will be coped to Freeform environment as Freeform surfaces. You can use all Freeform tools to edit the surfaces. After that, they will be converted back to Brep surfaces.

Could you try it and see if it works better?

Many thanks!

[vmontefusco]

Not sure what you mean in the second part of your reply? Do you mean to scan the turtle shell and bring it in as an image and use Freeform?

Thank you

Vince

[JDMather]

FYI - within the past five years (I think about two years ago) someone posted a very nice turtle shell here, but when I search I cannot turn up the original thread.

[vmontefusco]

That would be ideal for me, however, I would like to give it a shot to create one. Surely this can't be that complex for an experienced Inventor User. I think I am close using both solid and Freeform just to create the turtle shell look (just the top half of the turtle body).

Thank you

Vince