Hi,

I am looking at getting into creating 3d reliefs. Does anyone know the differences between Meshcam, VS3d, and Rhinoart? I know Meshcam operates by assigning color to different areas of the image, Rhinoart uses puffing technology? and VS3d utilizes grayscale but why the difference in technology. Isn't creating a 3d relief pretty much the same no matter what the software or is there really a difference between these three?

Does any of these have an advantage over the other in terms of better:
Resolution, Pc memory utilization, easier interface, image control and output, etc. There is also a BMP2CNC program but that seems rather limited in the amount of control it offers.

Any info one can give would be greatly appreciated,

Chris

Hi,

I know Meshcam operates by assigning color to different areas of the image, Rhinoart uses puffing technology? and VS3d utilizes grayscale but why the difference in technology. Isn't creating a 3d relief pretty much the same no matter what the software or is there really a difference between these three?


I have no explanation for the difference other than possible patent issues. I'm just pointing out, ArtCAM http://www.artcam.com/ uses ALL 3 methods listed above( color assignment, grayscale and "puffing" ). ArtCAM reliefs are saved as (.rlf) files. Another 3D software package you might want to look at is MasterCAM Art http://www.mastercam.com/Products/Art/default.aspx At the time I was choosing software MasterCAM lacked a lot of features. But the latest version looks to be coming along.
It all just depends what you plan on doing and how much $$$$$ you got to spend. They all have their pro's and con's. I really like ArtCAM. But, as you probly figured out, there are a lot software packages that will do pretty much the same thing. Even then "pretty much the same thing" is not the same thing. Any software is only as productive and the end product only as unique as the users imagination and skill.

Cut3D would be another relief based 3D CAD/CAM. http://www.vectric.com/

Good luck,
Todd
http://www.innovative-accents.com

Rhinoart uses all three of those methods... I have it and love it.

Cut3D would be another relief based 3D CAD/CAM. http://www.vectric.com/


According to their website, Cut3D is not relief based, as it only accepts 3D models.

I've only played around with a beta of MeshCAM Art, and I think it's much more basic than something like VS3D.

I'd try out demos of all of them to see if they will work for you. I know that Robert will extend the MeshCAM demo if you need more time with it.

Vectric's Cut 3D is a 3D CAM only... but a heck of an entry level 3D CAM.

MeshCAM Art has very basic features to create 3D relief from bitmap (color assignment). Still, some people can do a lot with only a hammer...

VS3D is more advanced 3D relief creations using several tools and features. Unfortunately, from what I've seen before, it lack a 3D engine to make it more comfortable to model in. Interface is a little awkward to get used too...

Rhino CAM seem capable but, to be honest, I don't know much about it.

ArtCAM is really advance but is way too expensive and lack good support. Make sure you really want it... ArtCAM is a CAD/CAM package as well as Rhino and Rhino CAM puggin, MasterCAM and Virtual Sculptor 3D (VS3D); meaning "you got it all" in a single package... at least it a well used marketing aspect...

I personally prefer to model in CAD; either Sub-D (meashes) or NURBS. Even when I start with a sketch or a bitmap.

I use MeshCAM (known as standard now) and Cut 3D to toolpath my models.

Wow!!!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I know I can always come here to find the answers to my questions. All these programs are a little different... that's for sure.

Paco, Do you like MeshCam? The only problem I have been having is having the program open up images with the default 32 colors. Even when I have an image with 6-10 colors (Converted in Corel Paint) and open it in Meshcam it opens with 32 colors? Do you have this problem? (Makes it a little confusing when you have that many colors)

ArtCam and Mastercam are a little out of my price range so I have this narrowed down to RhinoArt, MeshCam, and VS3d. (I tried BMP2CNC but their 3d relief output is not as detailed as VS3d or Meshcam)I am not too concerned with modeling in 3d but am more interested in creating 3D reliefs from images, which will carve on a plaque.

I am not sure how much manipulation one can do on a 3D relief so I don't want overkill but a program that will allow me to import an image, create a 3d relief and save to an STL file for cutting in a cam program.

I have not purchased Cut3d yet but it looks like a great program. The VS3d comes with Cam software but it does not look as good as Cut3D. Rhino offers RhinoCam but is a little pricey at $800.00

Any other thoughts or experiences with these programs would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

The only problem I have been having is having the program open up images with the default 32 colors. Even when I have an image with 6-10 colors (Converted in Corel Paint) and open it in Meshcam it opens with 32 colors? Do you have this problem? (Makes it a little confusing when you have that many colors)


I saw that with the beta I was using. Most likely Corel is saving with extra colors, usually do to antialiasing. Open it in something else and look closely at the edges of the color transitions, and you'll see the extra colors.

Hi Ger21

I thought the colors were due to antialiasing so I made sure I saved the image with the antialising box unchecked. Still having problems with extra colors. I alss tried Corel Draw, Tracing and using smartfill to assign colors. Also saved without anti aliasing but still getting additional colors. I will have to try a different graphic program later tonight.

Meshcam must be extremely sensitive since some of the other 3d relief software does not have this issue with anti aliasing... maybe because they are grayscale?

Thanks for your help!

Hi Ger21

I thought the colors were due to antialiasing so I made sure I saved the image with the antialising box unchecked. Still having problems with extra colors.

Same thing here, but the antialiasing was still there a little bit. I think I was using Realdraw Pro. Like I said, if you look closely, you'll probably see some antialiasing, even though you're turning it off.

Hi Ger21,

Thanks for the feedback, I thought it was just me.

Paco, Do you like MeshCam? The only problem I have been having is having the program open up images with the default 32 colors. Even when I have an image ...
I have a MeshCAM standard license only; I have toyed with MeshCAM Art while it was under beta testing. It was fun but I need more modeling possibility...

ArtCam and Mastercam are a little out of my price range so I have this narrowed down to RhinoArt, MeshCam, and VS3d. (I tried BMP2CNC but their 3d relief output is not as detailed as VS3d or Meshcam)I am not too concerned with modeling in 3d but am more interested in creating 3D reliefs from images, which will carve on a plaque.
Rhino Art need Rhino; keep that in mind... I think VS3D is well worth a fair try.

I have not purchased Cut3d yet but it looks like a great program. The VS3d comes with Cam software but it does not look as good as Cut3D. Rhino offers RhinoCam but is a little pricey at $800.00Chris
Cut 3D is CAM only while VS3D is CAD (actually modeling)/CAM package.

All in all, I think MeshCAM Art can be great to get start into modeling from image format. Robert as always gave me a very good support with MeshCAM. I believe you can get a 30 days trial license.

Rhino with Rhino Art pluggin may be a quite a steep learning curve to get start... and you'll still be looking for a toolpathing (CAM) software right?! Add Rhino CAM to the bill... or any other CAM you want/need.

I have 3 different types of cam, 3 cad, and 2 art. I could have a lot of extra cash if I had start out with rhino...

I have 3 different types of cam, 3 cad, and 2 art. I could have a lot of extra cash if I had start out with rhino...

I'm a big fan and user of Rhino myself so I second... I didn't tried the Art pluggin yet though. I have been happy with MeshCAM and Vectric's Cut3D for toolpathing so far so I'm not yet sold on CAM pluggin either.

Give yourself some time to study your needs and wishes (long term) and bench test the trials and the respective support (which can justify 90% of the software value). It doesn't pay to buy bits and pieces here and there to grow up your capabilities. On the other end, I wouldn't advise to get MasterCAM, Enroute or ArtCAM right now...

I have mcX, don't like it..

Rhinocam, I love it....

VS3D can import color and gray-scale images, converting image brightness to surface height. However, the height values stored internally (and output) by VS3D are floating-point (decimal).

One question you might want to consider is what do you want to do to the surface after importing an image, and before cutting it ? The whole point of VS3D is to provide Virtual Sculpting tools to free-form sculpt any relief surface (regardless of whether it came from a digital photograph or other source). This free-form sculpting can include hammering, smoothing, flattening, bulging, chiseling, etc.

VS3D is set up in such a way that the sculpting is performed close to real time. For example, if you click the hammer tool on the surface, you will immediately see the dent you just made. Many other CAD programs, when working on a highly-detailed surface, have a delay between the user action and visual feedback. But to be a successful tool for a sculptor to use, there can not be a delay since hammering and scraping operations need to look like you are doing it in real clay right before your eyes. To get this type of performance, it is necessary to align the view looking straight down on the surface. But VS3D has an ancillary tool, VScad3, which can be used to view (and rotate) a relief surface in 3D space.

The general style of the VS3D user interface is mathematical in nature. This allows the interface to be visually simple, yet extremely flexible.

Below is an example of a fantasy coin I just made by sculpting it in VS3D. I started out by doing a pencil drawing. I then scanned the sketch and imported it as a tif image into VS3D and used the sculpting tools to fill it out. I ran the resulting VS3D G-code on an S&W Engineering mill to engrave the 38mm diameter steel stamping dies. The coin was then stamped in pure copper and given an antiqued finish:
http://www.designscomputed.com/coin_pics/amero_20_2007_circ.jpg