http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6198&th=1310#msg_6198
I'm having a bunch of trouble with my models... I'm using Cheetah3D.

Here is my process:

- Create type in Illustrator
- Convert to shape
- Put holes at top
- Make compound path to punch holes
- Save as SVG
- Import SVG into Cheetah
- Put SVG path into extrude object
- Save as STL

When I import "fourdee.stl" into Shapeways, it works, but the image and 3d view shows strange lines across the front, but in Cheetah, it's perfectly flat.
See model 49069

When I import "fourdee-linear.stl" into Shapeways, it tells me only manifold objects can be printed. This is the same as the previous object, except I changed the bevel to linear.
See model 49070

When I import "helvetica2.stl" into Shapeways, it tells me the object has inverted normals.

I've been messing with all of this for a few days now, so I've lost track of everything I've done trying to get things to work...
]]> fourdee 2009-08-31T21:20:47-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6255&th=1310#msg_6255 fourdee 2009-09-03T15:00:14-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6256&th=1310#msg_6256 Youknowwho4eva 2009-09-03T17:23:31-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6279&th=1310#msg_6279 afrodri 2009-09-05T03:32:19-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6325&th=1310#msg_6325
the striping you see after uploading 'fourdee.stl' is due to the rendering algorithm that we use - it'll try to smooth the surface of your object. The printed result will follow the exact geometry though, so it will print out just fine.

I also inspected the beveled object and I'm sorry to say that Cheetah made quite a mess out of that one. I tried to fix it for you but couldn't clean out all the self-intersections and open faces it had left behind

Cheers,

Bart]]> bartv 2009-09-06T12:55:53-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6329&th=1310#msg_6329 ]]> fourdee 2009-09-06T16:49:21-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6330&th=1310#msg_6330 I first looked at Blender years ago, found I could do nothing with it, because I couldn't understand the interface, and give up.
I had another try about a year ago, ran through a few tutorials, bought a few books. Now I love Blender and find I can be quite productive. I've probably got a lot to learn still, but I know I can get things done and if I have problems with something - there will be a tutorial or forum I can turn to.

So it is worth sticking with to give it a go.

For a total beginner I would recommend "Blender for dummies" by Jason van Gumster. You can also learn the basics from the many text or video tutorials around.
]]> iguffick 2009-09-06T18:09:36-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6344&th=1310#msg_6344 so much documentaion and tutorials out there to help you. In addition to multiple forums (Including this one) where you can ask for assistance for various problems. Folks like me and Bart (Shapeways employee) have a great deal of experience with Blender and are more than willing to assist.

Don't give up!

Here are some great sites to check out learning the basics of Blender:

http://blenderartists.org/forum/index.php
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro
http://blendernewbies.blogspot.com/
http://blenderunderground.com/learning-blender-3d/
]]> WiKKiDWidgets 2009-09-07T12:24:59-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6365&th=1310#msg_6365
http://www.blendernation.com



Cheers,

Bart]]> bartv 2009-09-08T18:19:37-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6367&th=1310#msg_6367 ]]> afrodri 2009-09-08T19:14:33-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6371&th=1310#msg_6371 bartv wrote on Tue, 08 September 2009 18:19
I'd also like to shamelessly plug my personal Blender newssite:

http://www.blendernation.com



Cheers,

Bart



DOH! How could I forget that one. Sorry B@rt!

hehe
]]> WiKKiDWidgets 2009-09-08T22:10:00-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6373&th=1310#msg_6373 afrodri wrote on Tue, 08 September 2009 19:14
My biggest complaint with the Blender interface, is that once it becomes second nature, it bleeds over into other applications. Now I keep hitting 'A' to select and unselect things in Word or PowerPoint (well, Pages and Keynote...).


I hear ya!

the best advice I can give when it comes to Blender...

Always: One hand on the mouse, one hand on the keyboard. Once you get down the keyboard commands (All 8.7 bazillion of them) Blender is a breeze!



]]> WiKKiDWidgets 2009-09-08T23:14:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6382&th=1310#msg_6382 get paid to learn it.]]> Youknowwho4eva 2009-09-09T13:12:24-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6384&th=1310#msg_6384
You can make a full blown movie with Blender, Games, Physic demonstrations, Jurrassic park 5!! hehe

There are several consortiums out there tight now trying to implement CAD functionality into Blender as well.

Get in there! When you get stuck ask! There are 2 million or so users all over the world.

Here, download the Blender art magazine. That should get you drooling.

http://blenderart.org/
]]> WiKKiDWidgets 2009-09-09T14:00:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6385&th=1310#msg_6385 Youknowwho4eva 2009-09-09T14:57:30-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6386&th=1310#msg_6386 Youknowwho4eva wrote on Wed, 09 September 2009 14:57
I'll have to check it out, I may have to export the models to my other software to verify dimensions. I'm American so mm are stupid with their logic of being related to real world things and not the dimensions of some kings foot. As long as it's better able to handle more complicated models. My Mayan pendent took me a few days because my software was struggling.


Because Blender is unitless, you can pretend one Blender Unit = 1 inch as well. The Shapeways STL upload allows you to specify 1 unit = 1 mm, 1 meter, or 1 inch.


Blender seems quite speedy, and does a good job of conserving memory.]]> afrodri 2009-09-09T16:52:19-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6387&th=1310#msg_6387 Youknowwho4eva 2009-09-09T18:02:46-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6395&th=1310#msg_6395
Things seem sooo overly difficult in Blender... ]]> fourdee 2009-09-10T05:47:47-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6397&th=1310#msg_6397 Youknowwho4eva wrote on Wed, 09 September 2009 13:12
....... is it capable of producing precise models? As you can tell from my models I use a very precise modeling program. But if Blender can do precise ......


Check out :-
http://www.rab3d.com/tutorial.html

There are a few tutorials on precision mechanical modelling.
Once you figure out how to use the 3d cursor, it is very useful.
You can snap the 3d cursor to one vertice/object and then scale/rotate/etc another set of vertices/faces/objects.
When doing mechanical models my most used key combination is Shift-S to snap the 3d cursor.
Also learn how to use the 'Spin' button.

Regards,
Ian.]]> iguffick 2009-09-10T08:59:48-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6413&th=1310#msg_6413 fourdee wrote on Thu, 10 September 2009 05:47
Can either of you tell me how I can import something from illustrator (arranged type) and extrude it? I suck at learning by reading random stuff... I just need to be nudged in the right direction...

Things seem sooo overly difficult in Blender...


Nah, once you know its a breeze.

To import from illustrator, you use Import --> Path

this import supports several different file formats, so export from Illustrator accordingly.

Once you have it in Blender, if it is just an outline, then you will need to fill in the void. You can use {Shift+F} to add faces (A surface) to the outline.

Then, to extrude Blender uses {E} on your keyboard to accomplish extrusions.

Give that a go and let me know.]]> WiKKiDWidgets 2009-09-10T19:46:46-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6416&th=1310#msg_6416 stannum 2009-09-11T02:01:40-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6587&th=1310#msg_6587 Quote:

To import from illustrator, you use Import --> Path


I imported an AI version 8 file of a path with no fill or outline and I couldn't see anything when imported... so the rest of this is for when I had a fill on the path...

Quote:

Once you have it in Blender, if it is just an outline, then you will need to fill in the void. You can use {Shift+F} to add faces (A surface) to the outline.

Shift+F just made my object move around... nothing happened to my object

Quote:

Then, to extrude Blender uses {E} on your keyboard to accomplish extrusions.

E didn't do anything...

Quote:

Or use the Extrude control of Blender curves (under F9 key panels). This also let's you control bevel and other things. You'll probably have to convert to mesh object type once done, via Alt+C.

F9 didn't do anything...

Ahhhh, this is so frustrating... what am I doing wrong?]]> fourdee 2009-09-16T05:15:47-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6610&th=1310#msg_6610
The exact steps are:
1. Import the svg with File > Import > Paths, select svg when asked (and default settings).
2. The curve is already selected, so just go to Editing (click in header or press F9).
3. Set Extrude to get a thick text (rotate the view to confirm).]]> stannum 2009-09-16T22:46:54-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6611&th=1310#msg_6611 fourdee 2009-09-16T22:50:48-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6678&th=1310#msg_6678
When I import the path with the fill, attached is what I get. Not sure what to do about it...]]> fourdee 2009-09-19T17:44:51-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6685&th=1310#msg_6685 stannum 2009-09-20T02:07:47-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6689&th=1310#msg_6689
Thanks people

For the record, I'm still not a fan of Blender!]]> fourdee 2009-09-20T05:51:42-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6698&th=1310#msg_6698
"We could not determine the size and/or volume of your model due to an invalid model structure. Please investigate the problem and try again. "

Every time I import into blender, I seem to get a different result and I'm not sure why... it's very strange. The "helvetica.svg" that you said worked, didn't work for me at first, but trying again it was fine, but now again it's not... when I extrude it only extrudes the outline. When I DID get it to work, I exported this STL and imported into Shapeways to get the error above.

So confused...]]> fourdee 2009-09-20T16:04:33-00:00