Help with BobART - Engrave on a 3D surface

[mcphill]

Title should be Emboss, not Engrave...

I have a 3D model, and I have a picture I want to emboss. I want to emboss on the 3D surface. I can't figure out how to get the emboss to "merge" with the 3D surface. Emboss from Image only lets me emboss on a flat stock material plane. Can anyone help me get through this hurdle?

I am NOT wanting to use vector data and the CAM "engrave" function. I want to use the 3D emboss data from BobART. At this link:

http://public.fotki.com/mcphill/mcpi...aus-engraving/

you can see the type of emboss I want to use (the yellow 3D face). I intend to use 3D toolpaths to create the CAM process, AFTER I have the model formed the way I want it... What I want to do next is "drape" this embossed image over a 3D surface (actually a solid model, with a complicated top surface model I created in SolidWorks). I can't figure out how to "merge" the "flat" 3D emboss and the 3D solid in to one model...

Again, lines and vectors I know how to handle, but not the "complicated" 3D emboss that I can create out of BobART.

Any thoughts?

[BurrMan]

Bring your model into BobCad. Go to BobArt and choose emboss from surface from the emboss model item, you'll have to set the stock properties for the surface here. Choose the surface structure you want from your model.

Now choose Emboss texture-From image. This will lay your image as a texture for your surface.

Cut away!

If this does not give enough detail for you, let me know and I can try to put some pics together to illustrate.

[mcphill]

Thanks, BurrMan. Looks like that put me on the right path. I have the emboss made, have done most of the GCode, so probably will do some test cuts tomorrow. It is still a little "odd" from what I would expect, so I think I have some more questions, but I will try this first before asking about the next step, which will include some screenshots so I can better describe what I am talking about.

[BurrMan]

mcphill,
fyi you posted this question in another forum. The guy that runs that forum also runs BobCad training seminars and is a very experienced user. Dont forget.

[mcphill]

I had a class with Sorin, and put this exact issue to him to try to get some resolution about 4 months ago. He wasn't able to address it at that time, and I think "life got in the way" with him recently. I though "opening it up" to the 'net would be beneficial as well, and I will post the solution here so that others can learn from it too (the whole point of an open board, IMO). So yes, I am fully aware of Sorin's capabilities, but in a 1:1 situation I wasn't getting to the answer I needed - which you have now provided ; )

[BurrMan]

I understand and agree on the forum capabilities. didnt want you to miss out on that resource though.

Good luck, post back if any other.

[mcphill]

Success!!!

Just test cut in foam, but a perfect emboss on a 3D surface

[BurrMan]

Who is that masked man?

Nice!

[mcphill]

He's a machine shop owner of a place I use alot. He can do wonders in 2D, but I have been pushing him in to 3D, CAMWorks, and SolidWorks so that he can improve is products. He has all the tools (Haas VMC and lathe, and a ton of manual tooling), but isn't up to speed on the software side. Hoping this will push him over the edge, since I can do things on a $1000 CNC router than his MUCH more expensive machines "can't" do (with his current tools/knowledge). We have a pretty good relationship, so this is a friendly "nudge" to get him off his @ss ; )

[BurrMan]

Nice.
Solidworks may be a bit heavy for an older guy....Make sure he see's BobCad! Might be a better start to soak up for the old codger!

Good luck.

Burr

[BurrMan]

Or better yet, have him bring you jobs and then you can send him back code to run on his HAAS! Then do trades!!!