lwcad

[gpdesigner]

Hello everyone,
I am looking into LWCAD for purchasing.
I started a business and I have some items that need to be milled. I made a few concept drawings and a few finished live mock ups with fairly detailed dimension on it. However all the potential vendors I am looking into helping me CNC my products are all asking for CAD drawings.
Now, I know squat about autocad or cad for that matter, but I am pretty dang "ok" with lightwave.
My question is canI put out a cad file with lwcad that is good enough or the right format for CNC ?

gp

[UnCommonGrafx]

Edit: yes. But... (re-read.)
You need to ask them what format they want; CAD is insufficient.
A dwg, an stl, a dxf... which are they wanting.

Others with more experience in this will speak up, I'm sure, but the real conversation needs to find out that format.

From there, I have to say: LWCAD is an awesome piece of addition to LW. It does have DXF output. And for sure, there are STL exporters for LW, as well.
LWCADs benefit to you would be in the ease with which you are able to put together things. In a clean and efficient manner, as well, for the tools are designed for this.

Viktor, the coder, would be more than happy to hear from you about that file. In general, I see lots more of us trying to get things printed now that 3d printers, and cnc mills, are becoming commonplace. LWCAD will be a part of it and it couldn't hurt to get them on board now.

[gpdesigner]

Thanks for the reply UnCommonGrafx,
This business is unrelated to 3d in every way, but seeing how everyone I need to manufacture for me is looking CAD files I am thinking this SHOULD be up my alley . . .
I got hold to my Brother-in-laws AutoCad, but trying to learn it in a few days was stupid, and I remembered LWCAD and figured why not put my LW skills to work here . . .
My Manufacturers are talking about thousands of dollars to get CAD files done so they can automate my designs . . . I'm thinking screw that . . !
I need to make LW and CAD meet in the middle so I can save some money.
I designed the products I know the dimensions and I know LW . . I should be able to do this.
gp

[blondimage]

I spent a little bit of time on producing STL files suitable for Solid Works. No need for LWCAD. Just an STL exporter plugin - freely available somewhere out there. :)

However, as said it's a great plugin for fast, accurate modeling.

[wrench]

Yes, the format you need for CNC is STL, but you have to make sure your mesh is watertight. That's to say there are no "loose polys" that aren't linked to other polys, etc.

B

[gpdesigner]

Yes, the format you need for CNC is STL, but you have to make sure your mesh is watertight. That's to say there are no "loose polys" that aren't linked to other polys, etc.

B

Will LWCAD do this for me or will I still have to get a 3rd party program to make the conversion?

[wrench]

LWCAD doesn't deal with STL at all, it's modelling tools. You want http://www.chromecow.com/ for importing/exporting STL.

B

[bbuxton]

You may want to look at meshlab (it's free). Send your lightwave files there via obj, test that they're watertight, then export as stl. Another good one is Netfabb.

[archijam]

What do you mean by cnc? There are many processes available now. We have a 3 axis mill, which does not require a water tight mesh.. but you are likely either talking about 3d printing or 5 axis cnc. How big is the object, and how refined must the solution be?

I usually use rhino, simply because nurbs are very compatible with milling, and the rhinocam plugin has a great workfow.

However meshes work fine.

Did they not mentiom what sort of cad files were required?

Sent from my GT-I9100 Using ForumTouch for Android

[gpdesigner]

Yes, the format you need for CNC is STL, but you have to make sure your mesh is watertight. That's to say there are no "loose polys" that aren't linked to other polys, etc.

B

I am at -0 knowledge level for anything to do with formats and functioning of the CNC process, so this is going to be an interesting curve for me. I think that right now just understanding the method at which the "file" can be made for a cnc computer is front line.
Thanks for the direction wrench

LWCAD doesn't deal with STL at all, it's modelling tools. You want http://www.chromecow.com/ for importing/exporting STL.

B

I was under the impression LWCAD was the tools I needed? I mean if I can just model my blueprint in regular LW and be able to output that to an STL file then more power to me . . . less work all the way round. This link is interesting, I am going to look into that this weekend . . thanks loads :D

You may want to look at meshlab (it's free). Send your lightwave files there via obj, test that they're watertight, then export as stl. Another good one is Netfabb.

I will give this a look as well . . .

What do you mean by cnc? There are many processes available now. We have a 3 axis mill, which does not require a water tight mesh.. but you are likely either talking about 3d printing or 5 axis cnc. How big is the object, and how refined must the solution be?

I usually use rhino, simply because nurbs are very compatible with milling, and the rhinocam plugin has a great workfow.

However meshes work fine.

Did they not mentiom what sort of cad files were required?

Sent from my GT-I9100 Using ForumTouch for Android

The size of the object is 2'x2' max, what I need is the cut out of a design from a flat piece of wrought iron. I give them a design, they cut it out, it's that simple.

"What I mean by CNC ?" CNC means Computer Numerical Control.
if you are not cutting it by hand and you are using a computer.

The idea for me is at 50 I am not really interested in learning another program for small tasks, If I can get done what I need using a program I have been using for 12 years now then this is a plus for me.

Most companies I have talked to haven't specified a file type to tell you the truth I think I have just been communicating with the "frontman" for each company meaning I won't get a file type until I settle on a specific company and talk to their tech.

This is all useful info guys, thanks for the replies, I am definitely learning a bit here and have way more avenues to pursue since talking to you all
gp