carving panel

[bananafish]

Hi, everybody
Could someone lead me to the right direction for carving the panels like the photo attached.
I'm using V-carve pro and Rhino(novice).
V-carve has texturing tools but not allow me to design the pattern.
I'm hoping to find the program to create my own pattern without too much hassle.

[bananafish]

I just found very cool thread here.
Cool MDF Panels

[zool]

Draw with bezier curves, varying a bit as you go.

Can be drawn with Corel Draw; Illustrator; SketchUp & InkScape.

Search "bezier curves" and there will be answer and tutorials.

[yohudi]

Draw with bezier curves, varying a bit as you go.

Can be drawn with Corel Draw; Illustrator; SketchUp & InkScape.

Search "bezier curves" and there will be answer and tutorials.

Hi There,

I think you can generate the vectors and height-maps to create this type of toolpath using a combination of Inkscape, Cambam and gmax.

In InkScape:- Use a Calligraphic brush' with other InkScape tools to get a basic filled black and white design..... Remove the fills ... leaving only the outlines or strokes. Copy this content and put it on a separate layer for safekeeping / re-use..

Return to the original layer and break the design up into distinct paths for each area within it.. These paths can generate offset vectors for use as toolpaths and the required heightmap within inkscape...

With one of your area paths selected, use 'Linked Offset' below the path menu to create an offset path of the minimum size / area required in the selected shape.

Isolate the newly created area as a separate path. This area / path represents the deepest or lowest part / pass(es) of the cut. and should use a low colour value...

Re-select the initial area path and adjust its stroke colour to a higher value....This area / path represents the highest part / pass(es) of the cut.
Inkscape can now 'interpolate' the required path shapes and colour values for the heightmap using these 'high' and 'low' markers.

Select the smallest of the two paths and use shfit- key to allow selection of the larger path as well. Access the 'Paths' menu and find the 'Generate from Paths' functions..

Choose the interpolate function. In the pop-up that appears, set the options to reflect the number of interpolations required... activate the interpolate style option.. use method 2.. duplicate endpaths is optional.. it can have a use in some situations.

If you activate the 'live preview' option a python script box will pop-up while the calculation is performed and you'll see the result in the view.

If you only want the Height-map from inkscape and will generate path vectors from the outline saved on the another layer, only a low value may be required.

Height-maps in InkScape can be based on either large blurred shapes or on many repetitions of a thin vector line that changes colour with each repetition. This generally depends on the shape of the area. i.e. large areas benefit from a shape based approach... smaller areas, like text, can benefit from a high interpolations approach....

Either way you will derive a shaded image allowing exploitation as a height-map. The process is repeated for each area in the image with colour value adjustments, based on if you are worikng low to high or high to low, in each area. As you are doing this it's as well to use layers to keep areas separate.

The final fully shaded image should be exported using PNG format. If inkScape vectors are to be used as paths then all the path, including the interpolated ones should be exported to .DXF If path vectors will be generated externally then only the original outline is required in.DXF format.

The exported .DXF is loaded into CamBam. If Inkscape generated path vectors were the option this step is for translation to a more readable .DXF format only.

If only the original outline was exported then CamBam functions can be applied to create the necessary offset vectors for toolpathing. Alternatively this vector can also simply be converted and gmax functions can create offsets.

Ultimately the offset vectors and height-map are re-united in gmax to visualise and adjust the result. Height of flat nodes in the offset vectors is adjusted by the coulur values in the height-map. The vectors conform to the shape described by the height-map shading.

CamBam and gmax steps are described in the ebook available at cnc4free.org homepage. It's very similar to the process descrived for Intaglio toolpathing.

An in-depth examination of the techniques described above is being created for the cnc4free ebook.... I'ts actually very much easier to do than describe... and is a very 'automatic way to generate matching vectors and heightmaps.

Hope this helps

Danny (aka Yohudi)

[zool]

Geez Danny, suggesting GMax [and CNC tool Kit] will make them turn to bow saws, planes, chisels, and wood mallets.

[yohudi]

Geez Danny, suggesting GMax [and CNC tool Kit] will make them turn to bow saws,

planes, chisels, and wood mallets.

Hi There,

This is an interesting point of view.... and some people might agree with it. However, those that do have, sadly, failed to grasp the power and flexibility offered by these tools. Note that my previous post does not say that I would gcode this type of object with CNC_Toolkit... If I were making it myself, I would be inclined to displace this type of object as as a mesh and export it for coding externally for sake of speed... but... gmax can easily create and displace the required offset vectors and CNC_Toolkit could code this type of object if so desired for a 3,4 or 5 axis cut. Allow me to demonstrate exactly why I know that this type of work IS possible...... with these tools

If you look at the images below you'll see some (highly compressed) screen grabs from a recent job performed with the gmax / CNC_Toolkit combination. It will be the basis of a case study for my ebook and video of the cut in progress will be online in the near future. It's not my video otherwise I'd post it now.. same goes for images.

Image 00:
=========

This is the object... It's a living tree that is an important cultural artefact. Those responsible for it's preservation wanted to explore the possibilty of a CNC reproduction. A digital mesh of the tree had been created by photogrammatic survey. I was provided with the mesh visible in the various screengrabs below.

The real world and cut dimensions of the object are 600 mm x 1580 mmm x 300 mm. Accuracy and Level of Detail were critical issues in the reproduction. To cut a long story short.... cutting stratagies were devised... a small area test was performed to get client approval... the job was cut and the client was 'impressed' with the result.


Other images:
=============

These images illustrate the toolpathing templates created in gmax, using methods described in my ebook and processed to 3 and 5 axis gcode with CNC_Toolkit. Colin Doughty of DoughtyDrive performed the cut using the 5-Axis machine he designed and sells plans for. The rotary drives he has designed, built and continues to develop were obviously also employed.

In the right hands, gmax and CNC_Toolkit CAN perform work of this nature.. and if it can do this there's no reason something like the initial objects pictured in the thread cannot be addressed.

The critical deciding factor is the skill, knowledge and experience of the user. CNC users are hardly likely to gain skill, knowledge and experience if they give credence to such negative opinions as those in the above quote, however humorously they are expressed .

If CNC users take note of the FACTS instead I believe they can benefit greatly.

Hope this helps

Danny (aka Yohudi)

[yohudi]

I just thought I'd clarify the method of making heightmaps for this kind of object... as my previous post on this was one way to do this... but there's a far simpler way....

You just need to 'Interpolate' between a few lines of different shape and colour.. to create two layers... as shown below.... then it's just a matter of applying a bit of blending here and there... If you want you can take this a bit further... by using gradient paths. Graduated shape and colour as the paths interpolate should be the result.

After that you just need to apply the heightmap to a suitably subdivided mesh or spline in the displacement or toolpathing software of your choice..

This was a quick rough job just to confirm the easiest way to do this... first time I've tried it actually... If you see the images below it should give the general idea.. just needs a little more care in the execution for an actual job....

Hope this helps


Danny (aka Yohudi)

[zool]

Hey Danny:

I would not have made my tongue-in-cheek comment, and it definitely was NOT negative, if I had not just spent the week-end wrestling with Gmax. Though Gmax won this one, its time is ending soon; I will get it sooner than later. I have gotten though two CAD programs and a CAM program thus far and my head is not flat on all sides. Yet. This same perseverance that got me through 3 semesters of calculus, linear algebra and matrix theory, 10 semesters of statistics, econometrics, mathematical economics, plus 8 economics courses. I used all this, and a bit more, to construct probabilistic mathematical models of the behavior of unique financial/economic phenomenon. I started with a pencil [and a lot of erasers] and 13-column accountants pads, and later graduated to LOTUS 1-2-3 [version 1]. People thought I was very odd in attempting this, now its the norm.

I do agree that the ability to model and produce complex surfaces adroitly is the ability understand and then fully utilize software such as Gmax, CNC Toolkit, CamBam, and InkScape, coupled with products like Colin Doughty's B-C drives [which are most fantastic and miraculous].

However, the acquisition of skills necessary to do the above is perturbing to some as machining of any material for many in the forums of CNC Zone has thus far been an almost physical activity as the process is concrete and linear, while what you are championing [and with which opinions I concur] is an intellectual process that is abstract and simultaneous.

And you do have a few years head start on us. It is your and Rab Gordon's web sites and videos [and later CamBam and Colin Doughty] who have been the inspiration for many of us who can see what you all have done and are now trying to emulate that.

I am building my second CNC router. It is starting as a 3-axis router, though the design will be able to accommodate a rotary axis. The most significant departure from the typical 3-axis is that mine was designed and is begin made in order to machine traditional dovetails and box joints by holding the material vertically.

This new machine is designed in such a manner that it will be able to be expanded in order to machine in 6-axes. Though this may take a while.

So, my comments were definitely not negative, wry maybe, but definitely not negative.

Zool [aka The Imaginer]

[yohudi]

Hey Danny:

I would not have made my tongue-in-cheek comment, and it definitely was NOT negative, if I had not just spent the week-end wrestling with Gmax. Though Gmax won this one, its time is ending soon; I will get it sooner than later.........


So, my comments were definitely not negative, wry maybe, but definitely not negative.

Zool [aka The Imaginer]

Hi There,

Please don't get me wrong... I DO understand what you mean in respect of the comments above. I also have great respect for your tenacious attitude and your many achievements. I don't suggest that a job like the one in the planned case study was a walk in the park but it's not beyond the 'ken' of CNC users.. with a bit of guidance.

I agree, the primary focus of most is almost entirely machine oriented to begin with. Issues related to software, content and design are of seemingly secondary importance. This is often why CNC users immediately seek commercial or 'pay' solutions with regard to running the machine. Costs of building introduce pressure to see an immediate return / result, at which point it's usually time for the hand to hit the wallet .

The link below shows my first ever successful cut using CNC_Toolkit on 1-13-2007. It's nothing to write home about. To get from this first job to a 5-Axis cut like the case study really hasn't taken that long.

Yohudi's Build log - Time to get stuck in

I DO have the advantage of many years experience in 3D / Graphics design, particularly 3DSMax / gmax. It's entirely because my own development re: CNC was so assisted by this that I began the cnc4free.org ebook. The goal being to condense my own experience into key concepts, facts, software and methods that are most useful to the CNC user and which also benefit from being FREE.

I think it was Thomas Edison who said something like..' Most people miss opportunity because it comes wearing overalls and looks like hard work...

A small amount of effort developing skills can mean a great reduction in costs and more importantly, expansion of the CNC users horizons with respect to the work that can be accomplished. My own view is that it's a great shame let this kind of opportunity pass. It seems you are of the same mind.

In the light of your last post I accept that your 'bow-saws... and mallets' comment was a humerous aside... and not a negative opinion. My apologies for stating this was the case... Best of luck with your own use of gmax etc... If you feel I can be of any help please don't hesitate to ask.

Regards

Danny

[tony978]

wow nice replies but what he is trying to do is kinda simple with grasshopper
(a free plug'in for rhino) thee is a image sampler that would replace the 3d model being used in this video G-Code Writer for Surface Milling - Grasshopper . If you look at the forum or post a question on there forum you will be surprised how quickly you can make and modify lines to mill .

I would say that program is a must for working with rhino for artistic work

tony

[yohudi]

wow nice replies but what he is trying to do is kinda simple with grasshopper
(a free plug'in for rhino) thee is a image sampler that would replace the 3d model being used in this video......

I would say that program is a must for working with rhino for artistic work

tony

Hi There,

Thanks for posting this... I'm not a great user of Rhino myself... but I would agree that having some form of surface to gcode tool inside your 3D modelling environment is as you say a MUST.

The reason I'm saying thanks relates to something else... when I was watching the video I had an idea re: deforming a planar surface into the form shown at the start of this thread using 3DSMAX 'space warp' modifiers... Rhino probably has something similar.

I think it should be viable to site a subdivided mesh within an area overlapped by 2 'ripple' type 'space warp' modifiers. By adjusting 'ripple' independenty it should be possible to model this kind of abstract surface parametrically.I'm pretty confident that 3DSMAX will do this...... just not sure about gmax...

Anyway, thanks very much again... If I hadn't watched the surface deformation in the video you posted, I may never have thought of this approach. If it works then I'lll be sure to post...

Guess it's a case of watch this space...

Danny

[tony978]

No problem I have been in your shoes . I just watched a video off of t splines website . That program is worth talking about do to it covers blending of surfaces and user friendly editing . I don't know how much filleting you have Tryed in rhino , but it is a pain .




Tony