Dear Chris,
> Where I have ventured into 3D software is by using Google's SketchUp to
> visualise sundials. SketchUp allows you to orientate and position your
> object, then illuminate it with the sun and view it from any angle. So you
> can see the actual shadows for any time and date. I believe the professional
> version of SketchUp can export to CAD/CAM, but the amateur version, which is
> free, cannot. Nor is the free version parametric - you can't type in a
> different latitude to get a different dial generated, for instance. You
> could easily model your Renaissance sundial in SketchUp. The Schmoyer would
> be a lot more challenging.
>
With Google Sketchup you can generate sundials or any other object based on
user inputs. To do this you need to program the macros using Ruby language. You
can even simulate automatically the movement of the Sun to see the progress of
the shadow. I designed a plugin that still not 100% done but most of the
functionalities are working.
If you or someone are interested I can send the file with the source code and
very basic instructions.
BR,
Ricardo
São Paulo - Brazil
---------- Início da mensagem original -----------
De: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Para: "Bill Gottesman" [EMAIL PROTECTED],"Sundial Mailing List" [EMAIL
PROTECTED]
Cc:
Data: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 11:51:56 +0100
Assunto: Re: Rapid Prototyping for sundial parts
> Dear Bill,
> I've been through the same decision-process. I have a computer-controlled
> lathe and milling/engraving machine.
> Some of my designs, like yours, are much more three-dimensional than
> traditional sundials. But I've stayed with 2-D software, such as Corel Draw,
> that can output DXF files, because it turns out that most of my machining is
> very very strightforward in CAD/CAM terms. A helix is about as complex as it
> gets. To engrave, for instance, an analemma, I write all my own code as
> Visual Basic macros that can be called from Mach3, which is the software
> that actually drives the machining.
>
> Where I have ventured into 3D software is by using Google's SketchUp to
> visualise sundials. SketchUp allows you to orientate and position your
> object, then illuminate it with the sun and view it from any angle. So you
> can see the actual shadows for any time and date. I believe the professional
> version of SketchUp can export to CAD/CAM, but the amateur version, which is
> free, cannot. Nor is the free version parametric - you can't type in a
> different latitude to get a different dial generated, for instance. You
> could easily model your Renaissance sundial in SketchUp. The Schmoyer would
> be a lot more challenging.
>
> Engraving text is a problem. Corel Draw and other 2D programs can output a
> toolpath that will engrave the outline of a character. But I really want to
> engrave the centreline with depth control to get correctly formed V-shaped
> characters. There are signwriting programs that can do this, but I'm a
> cheapskate so am writing my own. To date I've done it by manually adding
> extra shading strokes within the outline of the characters that Corel Draw
> gives me. If anyone knows cheap/free software that can help in this area I'd
> be very interested.
>
> I'm looking forward to cheap 3D printing as the ultimate prototyping
> solution, but I don't think it's there yet.
> As for materials, I've read good things about High Density Urethane -HDU -
> but don't know how to obtain it in the UK. I think it could be excellent for
> prototyping and even for finished products where the customer doesn't insist
> on using natural materials.
>
> Hope this helps
> Chris
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Gottesman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Sundial Mailing List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:39 PM
> Subject: Rapid Prototyping for sundial parts
>
>
> > I am hoping the sundial mailing list may be able to give me suggestions
> > on affordable software for design and rapid-prototyping. I want to be
> > able to design and rapid-prototype small sundial models or parts.
> >
> > I was about take a university course in Solidworks, because for $100 you
> > can buy a 2 year license for a working "full featured" student version,
> > EXCEPT that 1) It will not export a usable rapid-prototype file, and 2)
> > It will not export a Solidworks file for use on a commercial Solidworks
> > program. In this manner, Solidworks makes sure that nothing of
> > commercial value can be created on the inexpensive student version, and
> > that for commercial purposes, you have to use/buy the commercial
> > version, which starts at $4,000. I decided not to invest my time in the
> > Solidworks course.
> >
> > But I now wonder if there is a decent, more affordable program that lets
> > hobbyists and small businesses design 3-D models, and allows you to
> > export them in a file format suitable for rapid prototyping?
> >
> > -Bill Gottesman
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> > https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
> >
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
>
>
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