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E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=15273		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Evil and Chaos [ Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:16 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
I'm going to have a go at this Rapid Prototyping lark.

I've decided to start simple, with a Sponson & Battlecannon conversion kit for the Forgeworld Leman Russ, in order to make it compatable with the E:A rules.

Here's what I've done so far:
Author:  Warmaster Nice [ Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:19 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Looks good so far. And a much needed conversion bit I might add :)
Author:  kev101 [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:39 am ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
looks good E&C
Author:  mnb [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:51 am ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
can i ask a dumb question?
how is it you guys make these sketches, or whatever you call them? is this something that can be done on a home computer (assuming i had any artistic talent)? or this some type of drafting computer?
sorry if this is a bit off topic. looks great so far and agreed it a useful piece.
Author:  semajnollissor [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:21 am ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
It can be done on any PC. A good video card helps, but isn't absolutely necessary. The main cost is the price of the 3D software. The are a few free packages, but I don't know how good they are. regardless of price, most software has a steep learning curve (figuring out the commands that will produce the shape you want).

I use Autocad, because I have access to it at work. It's a pretty terrible package for artistic 3D work (and even technical 3D work) but it gets the job done and I am familiar with it. I think 3D studio max is pretty popular, but there are loads of others. Inventor, Pro/E, Catia, etc. are all more engineering/design slanted, while 3d Studio, Blender, etc are more artsy.


At the most basic level, most of the stuff isn't too hard to draw. Draw a cross section, extrude it to the right length, ad nauseam. Some bits are a bit more complex, but not by too much. Having a part in your hand to measure and copy makes it even easier, which means making a real-world mock-up quite useful.
Author:  Otterman [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:32 am ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Just a normal home computer, and some 3D program that can output in STL format. I use MoI (www.moi3d.com).

Speaking of which, E&C, what program did you use?
Author:  Evil and Chaos [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:39 am ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Quote: (Otterman @ 28 Mar. 2009, 02:32 )

Speaking of which, E&C, what program did you use?

Rhino.

It's ok if some objects overlap isn't it?
Author:  bmans5 [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Quote: (Warmaster Nice @ 27 Mar. 2009, 15:19 )

Looks good so far. And a much needed conversion bit I might add :)

I second that, I would love to kit out my forgeworld Russes with Sponsons, they look kinda naked without them
Author:  Malleus [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:23 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Another stupid question, but how do you make real stuff from the 3d stls?
and have you made a repository somewhere of finished stuff you guys do?
Author:  Otterman [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Quote: (Evil and Chaos @ 28 Mar. 2009, 01:39 )

Quote: (Otterman @ 28 Mar. 2009, 02:32 )

Speaking of which, E&C, what program did you use?

Rhino.

It's ok if some objects overlap isn't it?

You will need to boolean union all of the pieces together into a single solid.
Author:  Evil and Chaos [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:24 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Ah that should be easy then.
Author:  Otterman [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
Quote: (Malleus @ 28 Mar. 2009, 08:23 )

Another stupid question, but how do you make real stuff from the 3d stls?
and have you made a repository somewhere of finished stuff you guys do?

We use 3D print services. We upload the file and some money, they own the machines and do the printing, then they ship the finished thingy.

I recommend PrintAPart in the US - excellent resolution, about $10 per cubic centimeter.
Author:  mnb [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
again e&c i'm sorry for getting way off your original topic. but otterman when you say $10 a cubic cm do you mean for the mold or for each piece?
Author:  Otterman [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
For the print / piece. You have to learn molding for yourself.
Author:  mnb [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  E&C Tries out Rapid Prototyping
thanks, that's what i thought.
now back to your regularly scheduled program....
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