Create 3D solids for milling

[NCN]

OK, I can use AutoCAD very well, i alreadi make Gcodes to use with Kcam an mi DIY controller, now i want to start to make 3D parts, to the moment i only make 2.5X milling, the problem is than I don't Know wich software use, I need something not very powerfull bun very easy to use, mi idea it's to create Guitar bodyes, they have a irregular surface and i want to make de solids to imort into visual mill to generate de Gcode.


***********************************
Bueno, por las dudas que mi ingles sea muy malo escrivo tambien en castellano

tengo visual mill y Kcam, se usar autocad muy bien pero apra manejo de figuras 3D es bastante malo, sobretodo para la creacion de solidos, lo que nesesito es algun programa no muy poderoso pero si muy simple para generar las figuras 3D y empesar a trabajar con milling en 3X, asta ahora solo e podido acer trabajos en 2.5X.

**********************************

thankes

gracias

[posix]

Well, continue to use AutoCAD but in 3D mode and create 3D parts instead of 2D.

[NCN]

Originally Posted by posix Well, continue to use AutoCAD but in 3D mode and create 3D parts instead of 2D.

OK perfect, but, how?

3 basic Q:

how to create a surface?
what's the best format to export? (to visual mill)
where can I find a good tutorial to start with 3D design in autoCAD? I only know how to useit in 2D mode

[automizer]

I find AutoCAD kind of hard to do 3D in so it is really a 2D program, Rhino is alot like AutoCAD but dose 3D alot better. If you are looking for getting a new program try that I know a few people on this board use Rhino for doing exactly what you want to do.

[posix]

Autocad is fine with 3D but a bit difficult if you have been only using it for 2D. Autocad comes with lots of tutorials so read some of them to get a general idea.

Start with drawing a simple square and do an "extrude" to get a shape of a cube.

It's almost always 2D shapes that have been extruded, revolved, swept etc.

Any 3D programme is difficult at first. It is almost impossible to use it without a tutorial first.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by NCN where can I find a good tutorial to start with 3D design in autoCAD?

http://www.caddigest.com/subjects/au...torials/3d.htm

[automizer]

Im not overly familar with AutoCAD 3D so I can't really say much

[NCN]

OK, I have read some things and I'm learning, now I have an other problem, I can make the figure like I want but I don´t know reay how to importit to VisualMill, if i save the file like a dwg the program sais "there is anithing to read in the life", how must i save the file or wich propieti I must give to the Solid to doit

[ger21]

You must model with solids, and export an .stl file

[NCN]

VisualMill don't open that king of files. but thankes aniway

[ger21]

Yes it does. I've seen it done, and it says on their site.
http://www.mecsoft.com/Mec/Products/products.shtml

[NCN]

sorry, thankes, it cant be imported onli opened, mi mistake, thankes again