Problem- can I project a toolpath onto an STL file?

[Patternboy]

Hi everybody,
I am trying to project a toolpath (contour) onto an stl file from a 3D laser scanner, my scan is a maple leaf and I want to project a toolpath of the Canada map on the surface with a V-groove cutter when I do the verify on MasterCam, I can see that the surface of the maple leaf is machining but I can't see the contour toolpath (Canada map)on top of it. So can it be done or do I need a solid surface to project the toolpath.
Thank you

Patternboy

[Matt Berube]

What version of MC are you running ?

Can you put the file online or e-mail it ?

[Patternboy]

Good day Matt,
I am using MX2-3-4. is there a simple way to convert a STL file to surface. Thank you for your reply.
Berube, c'est francais. Je le suis aussi.
Merci
Can't put the file online because it's government property.

[Matt Berube]

Good Day to you Patternboy.

"Berube is French. I am too." Translation courtesy of google language tools. LOL... You'd think I could have figured it out after a few years of French classes in the Catholic school and French fluent parents but apparently I've tried quite hard to forget those days ! I had the first sentence figured out but the second one would've been a guess.

A little research shows that you can select the .stl as "drive" surfaces by selecting the "cad file" option in the toolpath/surface selection window.

I assume when you say you are using "contour" that you mean "Surface Finish Contour". Is this correct ?

[Patternboy]

Good day Matt,
I can select the stl as a drive yes, my contour is a 2D contour toolpath of the Canada map that I want to project on top of the stl file and engrave the map with a 45 degree V-groove about .007" D. or more if needed.
Thank you

[Matt Berube]

All right Mr. Top Secret Goverment Guy...

Here's how it's done. See attached MCX4 file.

Make sure when you try to import your .stl file you click on the .stl then the "options" button and select the option to bring in as a mesh. (see picture)

Then toolpath as in my example and you're all set.

[Patternboy]

Hello Matt,
thanks for your help, I got it finally. It's made with cherry wood, around 5"x5". see pictures, maple leaf will be glue on top of main plaque. The beaver will made in Brass.

[Matt Berube]

Wow, excellent work. It looks great !

[Patternboy]

Thank you Matt, tomorrow I will clear coat with satin varnish. I'll post a picture when done.

[Patternboy]

Hello Matt,
this the final product, the plaque is in oak, maple leaf in cherry, support for beaver and letters in walnut, I can't post the stl file or X4 files because it too big, 95Mb, I can post the maple leaf contour and the Canada map, in X4 that all.
Thank you

[Matt Berube]

WOW !

Beautiful work. Absolutely gorgeous. You are an artist.

Can you describe size and purpose of the plaque ? It looks to be about 300mm x 450mm taking an educated guess based upon the size of the fixture screw heads in your earlier pics...

[Patternboy]

Thank you, the purpose of this plaque is a gift to give to an employee that got transfer to another job, he was a melter (metal foundry), size is 12.75"W.x 9"H.x .875"th. I am a cabinetmaker, patternmaker and CNC router operator since september 06. I have over 30 year of experience in building custom made furnitures, laboratories apparatus ETC...