3d help

[Dave_noob_user]

I was just wondering if I could get a little tutorial on basic 3d. I have been using Mastercam for about 1 year now and want to get into the 3d. I was wondering if anyone would be able to teach me a few things for basic 3d drawing and toolpaths. I know this is a "selfish question if you will" so if I get negative responses its ok. I was thinking of hopping on messenger or something and go over a few things. If this is ok with anyone Id really much appreciate it. You can reach me at [email protected] . By the way Im using Mastercam 8.0. My boss doesnt want to upgrade :/.

[BernieT]

Start by drawing a 2D object at default Z 0 (on the Main Menu).

 

Then change the Z to -2 and draw a similar 2D object.

 

Now do a Gview dynamic and roll the picture around. You have just done a 3D dwg !!

 

Now it's just practice. Do you have a workbook ?? They are available from this website or your dealer.

 

Also, turning on the grid (Alt-G) will help because it shows you where your construction plane (C-Plane) is. That is where any new geometry will be created.

 

HTH

[Dave_noob_user]

Then change the Z to -2 and draw a similar 2D object

 

How do I change it to -2? Really sorry for the dumb questions.

[BernieT]

Just reread your signature, I don't think that is very appropriate for public viewing. I think you should remove it. Also why don't you say where you are from??? Lots of people here willing to help but it is easier if we know where you live. Have you asked your dealer for help??

[Dave_noob_user]

Ok. Ill change it. Im from Ontario, Canada. I haven`t called the dealer for help because I figured Id just get a few tips and try to get rolling on my own. Im 28 and a fulltime Machinist. Been doing machining for 8 years now.

 

[ 06-22-2005, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: Dave_noob_user ]

[BernieT]

Click on Z near the middle of the left menu. Now type the new depth.

[Dave_noob_user]

oh. ok. Thanks. Ill try it out.

[Dave_noob_user]

ok. I see now. I actually have 2 squares. Do I need now to connect them together?

[Thad]

This is getting old already.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Thad

[Dave_noob_user]

Thank you.

[Dave_noob_user]

ok. Basically what I want to know is this. How hard is it to draw 3D. I took a look at some of the samples in version 8. The 3D mx drawing blows me away. Is that really hard to do or is it pretty easy once you get the basics done?

[crazy^millman]

I draw in 3d all the time it is very easy once you understand the cartesean system and realzie you always want to be drawing like you are going to be machining it. I recommend you call you local dealer and have them give you some classes think you will se thye are very helpful and can get you very far very fast.

 

HTH

[Guest]

It's fairly straight forward once you understand the basics.

 

Draw a 2 inch square.

 

Now go transform>translate>chain and pick the square> the entire thing should highlight.

 

hit done> and done again

 

click rectang>

 

in the translation vector box on the bottom type in z-2.> enter

 

click join and 1 step

 

now you should have a 3D 2IN cube

 

you can rotate your construction planes and use the Z button in the middle to set a typed in z level or click on a feature that is at the height you wish to draw on.

 

Try some different things you'll quickly find your way around the simple stuff.

 

HTH

[Dave_noob_user]

Draw a 2 inch square.

 

Now go transform>translate>chain and pick the square> the entire thing should highlight.

 

hit done> and done again

 

click rectang>

 

in the translation vector box on the bottom type in z-2.> enter

 

click join and 1 step

 

 

I did this but it doesnt actually give me a cube. Should I be in 3d mode?

[BernieT]

You really need to talk to your dealer.

 

You are not getting anywhere here.

 

Good luck

[Guest]

Switch to an isometric view

 

+1 on suggesting you contact your dealer

 

A basic class will go along way to helping you understand some of what you need to before you dive into 3D drawing

[Slixmix]

When your company purchased Mastercam it should have came with the tutorial books that touch on some basic 3D stuff. Do you have this book? Your reseller should definately have these books.

[Dan_AKA_ROY]

Start by designing some spoilers. Then try an automobile or airplane, etc. Next... j/k

 

Gotta learn to "see in 3D". Takes practice. The more you design the better you'll get, like anything in life. I wish you well. Get some books as already suggested.

 

And keep the designs simple. Then build from there..

[Thad]

quote:

---

Gotta learn to "see in 3D".

---

That's good advice, whether related to this question or not. If you've never seen or used 3D before, it sounds kinda funny at first. Once you learn to "see in 3D," then you understand.

 

quote:

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Takes practice

---

+1

 

Thad

[AARONIS]

I agree with everyone....

3D is not something you are going to be able to learn from a couple of posts on a forum. You need a class. Even if you understood 3D but never used it in MCAM you would still need a class to cover all of the 3D elements in MCAM.

 

Good luck

[Dave_noob_user]

Ok. Thanks guys. I will call the dealer. Although I CAN see 3D. I dont understand what you are referring too. I have been working as a Machinist for 8 years and have done alot of 3D work, I just hadn`t programmed it. I cant understand what you mean by I have to see 3D before I can draw it. But anyway. Thanks again.

 

 

Switch to an isometric view

 

The xform/translate/chain things just adds another square beside my existing one, but doesn`t show a cube no matter what view Im in.

 

[ 06-25-2005, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: Dave_noob_user ]

[BernieT]

quote:

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The xform/translate/chain things just adds another square beside my existing one, but doesn`t show a cube no matter what view Im in.

---

You have to be in the Top Cplane and you have to type "Z-2" to get the result Senor Juan described. It sounds like you didn't enter the Z or were in a Front or Side Cplane instead of Top

 

In my example, you need to select Cplane 3D and Create-Line-Endpoints from each corner of one square to the matching corner of the other square to get a cube.

 

Good luck in class.

[Dave_noob_user]

It sounds like you didn't enter the Z

 

 

That was exactly it. I was only typing -2 instead of z-2

Thanks.

If anyone feels like posting some other stuff Id be glad to look at it.

[Kannon]

quote:

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I dont understand what you are referring too. I have been working as a Machinist for 8 years and have done alot of 3D work, I just hadn`t programmed it

---

I dont know how many times I have drawn a complex 3d image to find I had to delete half of it to machine it! Learn your toolpaths, and what is required to make each one of them work. The job of drawing 3d is one thing, the art of machining what you see drawn is another.

Dont forget the "search" in this forum, many questions can be answered with topics covered in the past.

[Müřlıń®]

quote:

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is very easy once you understand the cartesean system

---

+1 to Ron...

 

 

I will throw my .02 in here...

 

Basics

0,0,0,....side_view, front_view, Top_view....gplane and cplane....and of course 3/d view. Once you master these few things here it's all downhill from here as far as starting on your way.

 

Let's refresh on the cartesean... 0,0,0 is the same, whatever cplane you are in.

 

If you set your construction plane to the side view, x is still hor, y is vert, and z is the depth of your monitor. Same for all other planes.

 

Learning that you can draw from one plane while viewing from another is a little confusing at first but it gets easier.

 

If you are drawing with your cplane set to top, all your geometry will be in that plane with a z depth that you can setin the Z field on the right menue bar.

 

xform translate....learn how it works.

 

Lets say you have your square in the top view and want to translate it down z-2. You can do as others have said or you can set your Z depth to z-2 and draw right on top of your other square and when you look at it in iso view you will see you have 2 squares now.

 

While you are looking at your two squares in iso, set your cplane to 3d.

 

Now, draw create/line/endpoints, let you cursor snap to the desired endpoint on one of the squares and snap to another, click your mouse and you will see you have drawn a 3d line.

 

Start drawing lines all over from every 2 points you wish and see what happens while you are in 3d cplane.

 

Now, delete all the lines you just made except for your 2 squares(you should still be looking at your geometry in iso view).

 

Select a diffrent color.

 

While still in 3d cplane, draw a diagonal line between the 2 squares. Now click on cplane and set to top(still looking from iso). Draw a line using the same 2 points you did while in 3d mode.

Observe results.

 

While still in iso view set to side view and do the same thing, set to front view and do the same thing....

 

Practice grasshopper