Bounding box for max dimensions of 3d

[Sanghera]

Hi,
I was wondering what is the best way to create a bounding box for a 3d part quick and easy so that I know the exact outer dimension of an organic 3d shape. This way, I can find the center of this shape and know the exact center coordinate where I can rotate 180 degrees for double sided machining.
Thanks.

[wjbzone]

If you are using a 3d solid, you can use the "massprop" command to get the bounding box, centroid, etc.

Bill

[ger21]

You shouldn't need the exact center, just add a reference line to use for the center, and do all your rotations around that line. Just use a front or side view to get the object close to the centerline.

[Sanghera]

Thanks, that works great. The only problem is that for some reason the bounding box calculates out to about 0.8" for the Z and the centroid is at about 0.3" when I have made the bounding box go from 0 to 0.8". Half of 0.8 is 0.4, why isn't the centroid at 0.4? This messes up
Select objects: 1 found

Select objects:

---------------- SOLIDS ----------------

Mass: 1.3213561
Volume: 1.3213561
Bounding box: X: 0.0076371 -- 2.2937147
Y: 0.1738833 -- 3.5849945
Z: 0.0000100 -- 0.8001234
Centroid: X: 1.1500000
Y: 1.7100000
Z: 0.2984049

Thanks for the help guys.
I really appreciate it. In the mean time, I'll fiddle around and see if I can figure anything out.

[ger21]

The Centroid is the center of the mass, not the center of the object.

[Sanghera]

Oh, I see, thank you very much Gerry. That is very interesting.
Thank you all for your help.
I really appreciate it.

[DaveW]

dim Ent as acadentity
dim MySolid as Acad3DSolid
dim minExt (0 to 2) as variant
dim maxExt (0 to 2) as variant
dim x as double
dim y as double
dim z as double


For Each Ent In thisdrawing.modelspace
If Ent.ObjectName = "AcDb3dSolid" Then
Set MySolid = Ent

MySolid.GetBoundingBox minExt, maxExt
x = Round(maxExt(0) - minExt(0), 6)
y = Round(maxExt(1) - minExt(1), 6)
z = Round(maxExt(2) - minExt(2), 6)
end if
next


If you need some real code for a certain issue, I may be able to help you for free if it is quick.

Due to no valid requests from this forum, I took my offer of free software down. I am still willing to help anyone on friendly basis if I can.
805-404-2142

Dave