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With the new four axis MultiCam capabilities now waiting to be explored in my shop it is time to start learning some 3D sculpting programs. The files I generate will be imported to EnRoute and then tool pathed and sent to the router.I've looked at a number of programs including Rhino and Zbrush/Sculptris. I've read through books, watched tutorials and tried demos of the programs. All have a significan learning curve. For the kinds of 3D sculptural files I want to make I believe zbrush/sculptris may be the best for me.
Although the results are far from what I hope to achieve in the future it should be a lot of fun to learn.
Anybody else out there using Zbrush??
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Aspire 2.5 has 4th axis capability. To fit a "pea shooter" for some 4-axis work, one could mount a 4th stepper motor on a machinist's lathe, (which I have) and install an extra card in the Shopbot controller. I don't know if my older Shopbot's control software is set up for it though.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Hi Dan, I played around with Z-Brush with Lightwave and thought it was pretty cool.It's neat to be able to paint in 3d. I'm sure you could turn it into a nice tool to have in your toolbox. It sure is a lot easier than trying to manipulate a 3d model.
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I added a 4th axis. I have the hobby controller with 4 axis. Works great. Aspire 3.5 with the 4th axis ability makes it all fun.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I work with Rhino for 3D work and have the plugin for it - RhinoCam which produces the toolpaths right in the program. Its a huge learning curve and I still use Flexi for basic stuff because I just have not had the time to really learn it well. My son does a lot of 3D modeling and has used Blender which is actually free and very powerful. He has made some models for me in very short time which have routed well.
-------------------- Brian Stoddard Northwest Wholesale Signs
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I will be continuing to use EnRoute for building routing files and tool pathing them. This program is able to import mesh files to be manipulated there. We are working with the folks at EnRoute to be able to route these files in the round soon on the fourth axis attachment.
The purpose of the 3D sculpting program is to create these mesh files of complex projects that would previously have been largely hand done. The fourth axis routing capability will soon give me the ability to route in one go instead of having to slice things up and then glue them up later as previously.
I've never been happy with always having to buy 3D mesh models I needed because one has to settle for what is out there or what I can locate. Even then there is a great chance that it might be seen elsewhere. I want to be original in every respect. A lot of my work has a particular style and I want the 3D files I make to blend seamlessly with it.
I did look at Rhino but it is too technical an approach (for my taste) Much of what Rhino does I can already do inside of EnRoute.
I've started noodling around with ZBrush and Sculptris to see just what it can do and how intuitive it is. I like it a lot. The learning curve is obviously steep to master it (as with all 3D programs) but the results are pretty amazing in a short time.
Here's my first 3D sculpt in Sculptris done (from scratch) in about 20 minutes... with Phoebe hanging on my shoulder advising me of what she liked.
-grampa dan
[ December 28, 2011, 01:19 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Still learning Z-brush. Like you said Very Complicated. I am much more comfortable with the technical side of Routing so I use Rhino with Rhino Cam along with a 3D Scanner. Which Still isn't a great Help as I still can't sculpt in Clay any better then I can sculpt in Z-Brush.
There is a Nice Program Called Poser that will give you your Armature that you may be able to Import into Z-Brush to add all your details. Will have to try that and get back on that.
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