Cut 3d vs. 3d machinist

[tdnp]

I'm new into this. I have a homebuilt that I purchased from the zone from Planekrazie. Nice machine. Anyways I was looking into Vectric software and have a thousand questions. So I'll ask a few.

1.) What is the difference between Cut 3D and 3d machinist? They both seem to cut the 3d images that I would like to cut. I have a 6inch z and don't see a need in the machining of the slices.

2.) When cutting the 3d images what tools work the best?

3.) Is there anyway to create these images without having to purchase them?

I'm sure these questions will only spur more, but hey, everyone is new at something.

Any information or samples that any one has is greatly appreciated.

[Switcher]

I'm new into this. I have a homebuilt that I purchased from the zone from Planekrazie. Nice machine. Anyways I was looking into Vectric software and have a thousand questions. So I'll ask a few.

1.) What is the difference between Cut 3D and 3d machinist? They both seem to cut the 3d images that I would like to cut. I have a 6inch z and don't see a need in the machining of the slices.

2.) When cutting the 3d images what tools work the best?

3.) Is there anyway to create these images without having to purchase them?

I'm sure these questions will only spur more, but hey, everyone is new at something.

Any information or samples that any one has is greatly appreciated.

1A) With Cut3D you can open & work with your own 3D files as long as the extension for the file is supported by Cut3D.

STL STL Mesh files - binary & ascii
3DS 3D Studio - binary & ascii
DXF AutoCAD 3D DXF
OBJ Wavefront
SBP ShopBot Digital Probe files
TXT MaxNC Digital Probe
WRL VRML
X DirectX
LWO LightWave
V3M Vector Art 3D files

1B) With 3D-Machinist you can only open & work with V3M models that are bought on the VectorArt3d website, I think that's the only supported extension for that program. That's why the program is free, they make money from the 3D files, not the software to open them.
Note:
You can open V3M files in both Cut3D & 3D-Machinist.

2) For Roughing use a larger tool (endmill/ballnose), for finishing I would use a smaller ballnose, but that all depends on the job.
A lot of info is used to calculate the cutting files (Material, Roughing Tool, Finishing Tool, Tool Stepover, etc...). That's what is so good about the Vectric Software, you can change things as often as you want & see what any tool will look like before the cutting. If the tool isn't cleaning up enough, use a smaller tool (ballnose) & a smaller stepover, just remember that by doing so will increase your cutting times (sometimes by hours), again Cut3D will give you an estimate on how long that specific file will take to cut with your selected tool/stepover.

3) You can create your own 3D files for Cut3D in programs, like below. The only one I've used is Silo, it's got a learning curve, If you look thru the Silo Gallery, you will be amazed at how talented some of the users are.

Rhino3D
3D Studio
AutoCAD
Bobcad
ProEngineer
Solid Works
SolidEdge
Silo

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[Switcher]

Something I just found out from the Silo Gallery link I posted before. It looks like some of the Silo users are selling 3D models to VectorArt3d?

I say that because of this post at the Silo Gallery (notice the link at the bottom left of the page "Dasch's VectorArt3D Models". Hmmm...

Here is the start of that thread. Any of those 3D images look familiar?

I still say those guys have skills!

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[ger21]

Dasch is one of the staff artist's for VectorArt3D.

[Switcher]

Dasch is one of the staff artist's for VectorArt3D.

His work is great!

I know Silo has it's learning curve, I tried it a while back (remember?).

Anyone else you know of that sells to VectorArt3d ?

I guess the key here is it helps to be an artist, I read in a post at Silo that Dasch has been an artist for years.


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[ger21]

Vectorart lists their artist's on their site. Not sure if they buy from freelance people.

[Switcher]

Thanks ger21, I found the list here.

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[Switcher]

I found this link to James Booth website another artist that supplies VectorArt3d with 3D models.

Check out his custom work (117 photos) , I don't think you'll see all of this at VectorArt3d.


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