Direct bitmap to model conversion method

[yohudi]

To anyone interested really...

For some time now I've been working on a method to equate to what the likes of visual scuplture can do by way of generating 3D vector models from raster clipart/images. One of the main goals was that the software used must be FREE or very inexpensive.

I'm happy to say I have a fully working NO-COST solution.. requiring NO modelling skills and MINIMAL knowledge and experience. As close to a load and Code solution as you will get for FREE.

The method is very successful across a wide range of source material, take a look at the pics below and see for yourself.. The Pvw series of images are cutting previews from Cut3D software.

Creating the models takes 10 mins or less and requires nothing more serious than adjusting some value sliders.. NO modelling, NO geometry tweaking, NOTHING. ALL software used is FREE.

I 'm thinking of charging a small amount for the ebook of the NEW method, to justify the time it takes to create. If you want a taste of my cooking tryout the free tutorial indicated in my sig. The Fairy and teddy models were initially made using this free method... but did take some time..

If anyone is interested in purchasing the NEW tutorial could you please let me know here or via p.m. If I get enough interest I'll get to work.. if not I'll know the demand is not there... WILL NOT be expensive.. looking at keeping the cost to about 10 GBP at most.

TTFN

[turmite]

yohudi will this work with any type modeling system, i.e., Rhino etc? I guess I'm asking if you have to have a propritery piece of software such as Vetric to carve the parts?

If it will indeed work with any cad system, or at least with Rhino then I am absolutely interested.

Mike

edit: I went back and reread your post. I guess I'm asking what kind of file extension is it saved in?

[yohudi]

Originally Posted by turmite yohudi will this work with any type modeling system, i.e., Rhino etc? I guess I'm asking if you have to have a propritery piece of software such as Vetric to carve the parts? If it will indeed work with any cad system, or at least with Rhino then I am absolutely interested. Mike edit: I went back and reread your post. I guess I'm asking what kind of file extension is it saved in?

The tutorial is a way to use bitmaps to generate dimensional clipart with 3dsmax or Gmax. GMax is a FREE version of 3DSMAX.. GMax 1.2 is about the equivalent of 3DSMax 4.0.

There is also a FREE means to get the GCode straight out of both apps using rainea's CNC Toolkit.. which will be explored in the tut... but you need to know a bit about calculating stepover and feedrates to get the best from CNCToolkit...

Alternatively the model can saved in .STL or .OBJ file format and processed as you would with any other model.. I'm pretty sure Rhino will work with these formats.

I used Vectrics Cut3D to generate the previews as I wanted a check on the surface smoothness without cutting the files.

hope this helps

[thkoutsidthebox]

I've downloaded G-Max yohudi and Im going to look at your tut. It'll be interested to compare this to using Silo. Thx.

[Switcher]

Nice job yohudi.

.

[thkoutsidthebox]

I just had a quick glance through your tutorial. The method is quite similar to one I use sometimes in Silo. Cool! I'll read it properly again later, and hopefully get time this week to try GMax, although from your tutorial, I think as you say that a variety of different programs can do the same thing. This is good, it means that if I decide to stick with Silo (Which I probably will), then your tut's may still be useful and interesting to me. L8rs.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by thkoutsidthebox I just had a quick glance through your tutorial. The method is quite similar to one I use sometimes in Silo. Cool! I'll read it properly again later, and hopefully get time this week to try GMax, although from your tutorial, I think as you say that a variety of different programs can do the same thing. This is good, it means that if I decide to stick with Silo (Which I probably will), then your tut's may still be useful and interesting to me. L8rs.

Where did you find his tutorial?

edit: oops...........never mind

[yohudi]

Originally Posted by thkoutsidthebox I just had a quick glance through your tutorial. The method is quite similar to one I use sometimes in Silo. Cool! I'll read it properly again later, and hopefully get time this week to try GMax, although from your tutorial, I think as you say that a variety of different programs can do the same thing. This is good, it means that if I decide to stick with Silo (Which I probably will), then your tut's may still be useful and interesting to me. L8rs.

THK

Hi there, hope u r ok and that all is well with your build....

The OLD free tut is a fairly common way of doing this kind of modelling. To be honest that's what motivated the tut. I'd be hard pressed to think of any 3D app that can't box model. They can all usually subdivide as well, whether that's by manual tesellation or a mesh-smoothing algorithm as in 3DSMAX or GMax. However, many people found the box-modelling a bit of a problem.. and needed something easier still.

The NEW method makes use of 0 modelling philosophy and approach entirely... The model is generated by the software, ..image based replication. I should really be the LAST person to say it but OLD tut is now obsolete.. I know that for this type of dimensional clipart the NEW way is the way to go... speedwise it's like hyperwarp compared to any modelling I've ever done manually. I would also like to say that none of it is rocket-science either - I only pointed people at the OLD tut so they could read an example of my work and get a taste of what they would be paying for in the NEW one.

I guarantee that using the NEW tutorial ANYONE will generate models of the quality and type shown.. with 0 level of experience, and in times of 10 mins or less. It's EXACTLY, I DO mean EXACTLY, a successful, repeatable and direct Bitmap to 2.5D model generator with a few extras. The CNCtoolkit GCoding is optional.. as is the processing using the demo version of Cut 3D.

Personally I think this is one of the more interesting parts of the tut... it use's the FREE features of both to create a pretty useful method of 3 Axis toolpath generation .... with adjustable and previewable animated cutting.

if you (thkoutsidthebox ONLY) want to test it out.... PM me an image.. something challenging but sensible, on the basis of the examples I put up would be suitable.

Hopefully I will get enough interest to make sitting down and writing the NEW tut worthwhile. It will probably take a couple of days.. and I'm only looking to cover the cost of my time..

TTFN

[yohudi]

Originally Posted by Switcher Nice job yohudi. .

Hi there,

thanks for kind words...

[yohudi]

Tried the method on a portrait sketch and a 3D graphics render... the Cut3D previews are below. I'm cutting a model generated with the method today.. will post pics when completed....

don't forget P.M. me if you are interested in learning the method of doing this with FREE software and NO modelling....

TTFN

[zoltan]

Hi,

I am very interested to buy your tutorial. How I can buy it and how much it costs?

Your ideas, look at your machine, your 3d solution, and so on, all of them worth my interest and I have a lot to learn from, so, I decided to buy the tutorial. I am sure that the tutorial is a wise investment for anyone here.

Thank you,

Zoltan

[thkoutsidthebox]

Ok Yohudi, that portrait sketch got my attention, I think that'd take me ages in Silo....I'll be looking at this in more detail, and probably getting your new tut aswell. L8rs.