| Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62529] Thu, 21 February 2013 16:01 UTC |
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I'm getting closer and closer to uploading and ordering an actual object... still not there (and with a newborn in the house, it might be a couple more months) but I had a question...
I am confused as to how you would create a case for something that you have dimensions or a 3D model for.
I am assuming the following...
- Take/Build 3D object of item you are making case for
- Expand the object by roughly 1mm in every direction, of every surface.
- Now put THAT expanded object INSIDE of an object roughly the size the finished case you want
- Shape the case object
- Make sure the finished case has minimum wall thicknesses
- Delete the expanded object inside of the case
- Clean up and voila! Finished case 3D model is done
I know this is an EXTREMELY simplistic process, but I am just trying to make sure I understand the basics.
My question is... is this a working example of how you could design a case?
Are there better examples? Video tutorials? Help?
Welcome to Costco, I love you.
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| Re: Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62532 is a reply to message #62529 ] Thu, 21 February 2013 17:06 UTC |
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These tutorials will help you understand what is required.
http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/
Each software has it's own way of making a model hollow.
Blender uses a modifier called 'Solidify' which creates an inner 'skin', an input distance from the outer shell.
Autocad uses a command called 'shell' which does the same thing, by asking what the 'wall thickness' should be.
In each case a hole or tunnel has to be made to join the inside to the outside, otherwise Shapeways software will ignore all internal walls and treat the model as solid
jacantdesign@gmail.com
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| Re: Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62539 is a reply to message #62532 ] Thu, 21 February 2013 18:24 UTC |
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I understand the hollow process, I've dabbled (just enough) and know about hollowing out an object.
My problem is... in the instance of an iPhone case (for example) if I create a case and hollow it out automatically, it won't fit snug on the iPhone. There will be gaps and such.
If I want to make sure it fits, I would put the iPhone model inside of my finished case and CUT that size/shape of material OUT OF the Case object.
But it feels like this would still not fit, or work. I am hoping that someone who has designed a case like this could just verify with a 'Yeah, I do something like that...' or 'here's a video tutorial of how I do it.'
Welcome to Costco, I love you.
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| Re: Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62542 is a reply to message #62539 ] Thu, 21 February 2013 18:45 UTC |
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Use MeshLab.
Load up your object.
Click on the Filters tab--> Remeshing simplification.. --> Uniform mesh resampling
Set the Precision parameter to something smaller than the thickness difference you need (or the the size you need for the triangles to ensure a good print quality).
Set the offset value to the thickness differenece you need.
Save the resulting 'offset mesh' and chop it up as you see fit 
Paul
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| Re: Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62549 is a reply to message #62547 ] Thu, 21 February 2013 19:58 UTC |
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Blinkin' 'eck.
Now I'm confuddled.
Let;s recap.
I have an object as a 3D model.
I want to create another object that fits around the first object.
How?
That's how I understood it.
(soz if I got it wrong)
Paul
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| Re: Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62550 is a reply to message #62539 ] Thu, 21 February 2013 20:12 UTC |
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I thought he wanted an iphone case
QUOTE
My problem is... in the instance of an iPhone case (for example) if I create a case and hollow it out automatically, it won't fit snug on the iPhone. There will be gaps and such.
If I want to make sure it fits, I would put the iPhone model inside of my finished case and CUT that size/shape of material OUT OF the Case object.
jacantdesign@gmail.com
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| Re: Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62551 is a reply to message #62550 ] Thu, 21 February 2013 20:35 UTC |
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| JACANT wrote on Thu, 21 February 2013 20:12 |
I thought he wanted an iphone case
QUOTE
My problem is... in the instance of an iPhone case (for example) if I create a case and hollow it out automatically, it won't fit snug on the iPhone. There will be gaps and such.
If I want to make sure it fits, I would put the iPhone model inside of my finished case and CUT that size/shape of material OUT OF the Case object.
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I saw 'for example' and ignored the object. 
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| Re: Stupid Question : Case Building Development [message #62629 is a reply to message #62551 ] Fri, 22 February 2013 22:33 UTC |
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Thank you all...
I knew I was overthinking it or making it more difficult that it needs to be. Sweet...
Welcome to Costco, I love you.
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