#Radius Object Edges?
26 messages in this thread
Can 3D Studio R3 do AME style functions (like SOLFIL) on
objects created in 3D Studio? I know 3DS can do boolean functions,
but I don't know if it can go the next step to modify the edges of
the objects that are created.
I've been using AME to create plenty of objects, and have seen
that 3D Studio can do some amazing things, I just need to know if
this is one of them. I know that AutoSurf and Designer can do
complex models, but they don't do the intelligent egde visibility
like AME and 3D Studio do. Any help would greatly be appreciated!
Kerry
The simple answer is no….. but there may be many things which can be
done in the Shaper/Lofter, perhaps in conjuction with a Boolean
intersect which may do what you want. Do you have a specific problem
in mind?
TedB
Kerry,
>>R3 filets, etc…
If you've ever taken apart an AME object, you can see how you could simulate
the same thing with 3DS. As the Honorable Mr Boardman suggested, no such
routine is built-in, but can be made with some creative lofting and a little
additional "booleaning", although it is best to loft with the desired edges to
start with, if possible.
For example, to round the edge of a box to the radius of, perhaps 5 units,
simply loft a shape and boolean subtract it from the box. In this case, the
shape would look like a cracker with a 5-unit bite taken out of the corner.
More work, but hey, who ever said life was going to be easy. <g>
JKJ
For 3DS to do a fillet you would need to Boolean/Subtract a form that
contained an inside arc. Although this works (and a LOT better in R3) it's
not perfect. If you have AME or are lucky enough to have Designer then those
should be your first choice for such an operation – especially if you have
many fillets to perform on the same mesh.
– Phil
Thanks for the reply. I've been using AME to create objects,
but it's limited in some of its fillet capabilities (IE: Can't fillet
the top edge of a filleted edge thats at an angle). I've got Designer
but it does not do the intelligent edge visibility like AME (or 3D
Studio) does. When you convert it to a mesh, its all 3DFaces with all
edges showing. I'm creating complex bathroom fixtures and the number
of faces can easily reach 3000+. To turn the edge visibility on/off
correctly would take me many hours per symbol. I guess what I'm
looking for is a great modeling package for graphic artists and not
mechanical engineers. I don't need: Moments of Interia, Center of
Gravity, Cross Section, etc. I just need accurate looking symbols.
Any ideas would GREATLY be appreciated!
Ouch, sounds like your in Alias land now. I have a friend at Kohler
and that's what they're using there – of course with their
budget….. If the solid models' edges are bugging you – have you
tried using the new AutoEdge command to clean them up? Works in just
a second per object.
I've got friends at Kohler to, I'll talk to them about Alias
tommorrow. In a nutshell can you tell me what it does and how much
it costs? Plus, what does AutoEdge do? Is this a new 3D Studio
command? Thanks for your help!
Alias is pretty expensive, no, make that VERY expensive (I'm pretty
sure you're in the +20k range with all of its modules) and then it
only runs on SGI boxes so you're in for another 15k (minnimum) there
too. Big bucks! – but it has become somewhat of an industry standard
for very high end work (Terminator 2 etc.) but then 3DS is trying to
change that too <g>. AutoEdge? In R3 it works the way AutoSmooth did
in R2 – you enter the angle of meeting surfaces and it will change
the visibility of edges accodingly.
p.s. – only the ID group at Kohler uses Alias, to my knowledge, but
then they're the ones that need it the most!
Kelly,
I just have to jump in here on a different note and urge you to seriously check
out designer! I did a demo for a client today (a simple box with the edges
radiused, including the corner blend) in about 2 minutes! No Joke, and most of
that was computer processing time!
Chuck
Chuck,
I keep hearing great things about Designer (from you and others) so being a
dealer: How much is it? Is there an upgrade $ from AME? Is it really shipping
in the final version? – it's been a while since I was up on that other forum.
Also, do you know how does it compare to ProEngineer? – I'm tired of taking
flack from my ID friends with SGI's, Suns, etc. about how great PE is and
that nothing close would ever make it to the PC.
– Phil
We're having a big open house at the office all day on Feb 9th to
show new products, from the DPS PAR and new IPAS routines to Autodesk
Designer to Sun Microsystems to Sony, with all the manufacturers
sending somebody to be beat up with your best questions! Just come
on by! Open invite to all in southern California!
Greg,
>> Open invite to all in southern California! <<
Does that include me? I had a problem with the Greek bouncers last time I tried
to crash your bash <g>.
Martin:
Just bring some Ouzo and they'll let you in! Hope to see you there!
Greg Pyros
Greg,
I'll try and make it in the morning before my commute to LAX. What time does it
start?
It starts for normal mutants at 9:00am, but feel free to come by
earlier! At the least we'll have you help set up the equipment! <g>
Should be a fun open house! Altamira is flying someone down to show
off Composer! I'll be sitting in the front row, there sure is a lot
to that program! Come one, come all! Pyros Partnership open house,
Feb 9th, 9->5!
Greg,
>> It starts for normal mutants at 9:00am, but feel free to come by earlier! <<
9:00am is pretty early for me, so if I can manage that I'll be doing well <g>.
Sounds great! Now, is anyone driving by Chicago so I can hitch?
skyhitch? p.s. Southern california – HMmmm……..is the
architectural work picking up just a tad bit lately? <G>.
Phil:
>> is the architectural work picking up just a tad bit lately?
After we finish picking up the rubble, that'll be next! <g>
Greg Pyros
>> big open house at the office all day on Feb 9th
Can you provide shuttle service? (From the east coast <g>)
Save me a seat on that shuttle.
Shuttle seats reserved. Be ready for shuttle launch at dawn!
Greg,
I suppose it will be at the same "Bat Time" and same "Bat Place."
Well at least it will be a good opportunity to get some global texture maps.
<g>
Fred
Here is _today's_ short scoop on Designer as today we started a two
day Mechanical seminar co-sponsored by AutoDesk, so this info is
hours old!
Designer will be priced at $1,500, and there will NOT be an upgrade
from AME. The reason for the no-upgrade path is that AME will
survive as an available product, there just won't be any major _new_
releases.
No, it is not shipping yet, and the official date given to 150 people
today was Feb 24th. We have the official pre-release version with
docs now, so that date looks _very_ possible. I have not been able
to make this release "blow-up" yet, so they're getting it sorted out.
Designer compares VERY favorable to ProE, at a fraction of the cost!
No, I can't say that it does everything ProE does as I don't have
enough experience with ProE to make a "professional" opinion, but I
would estimate that 80% to 90% of the core capabilities are there.
Sure, each package will have its advantages and disadvantages. I
think ProE is very concerned, as they had 2 representatives at our
Seminar today!!!!!! Interesting……..
That is the latest, but definitely no the last.
Ahhhh, very interesting………..thanks for the last minute info.
Does Designer have the ability to be manipulated by Lisp or is it
completely self contained? Macros? – or is it so #$%* good it doesn't
need them?
Designer, as are all ADS applications, is fully controllable with
LISP. Remember that one of the benefits of the AutoCAD Command Line
based interface is customization and scripting. Sure, there are alot
of new commands, but nothing to stop you from "scripting or batching"
with LISP!
In fact, we have been recently authorized by CIMLOGIC (the former Mech
Division of SoftDesk) and they are drooling at the prospect of having
an ACIS core product such as Designer to work over. If you could see
what they have done with Toolbox Professional (over AME!!!!!!) you
would too be drooling as I am sure the 3rd party channel will have a
field day with this!
One final point, I learned in a conversation today that designer
(being an ACIS core product) will support SAT links to Finite Element
Analysis (FEA) packages! Looks like some impressive possibilities
lie in the future!
Thanks for the info!
– Phil