Many files can be converted 3D printers use particular files and some can be added in as G-code I have that option on my printer but it mostly uses STL files. The most used are STL and VRML file types. there are others but off the top of my head I don't remember what they are I believe a lot of carver set up run G-code so I don't think you would need to change the file provided you can load G-code into the printer you buy you can check for what file structures are accepted before Purchasing. one thing with using converters I have found is they can be hit or miss sometimes as some don't convert over everything which leaves the object with errors this doesn't always happen but it can.
What means to "print a carving"?
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I found out the hardest thing is to create the print file like this one. you have to be a 3D artist and have the drawing programs which are difficult to master. The actual printing is the easy part
printing vs CNC milling the 3d printing wins because there is no way to carve a figurehead like this with just an X Y Z mill nor can you get the fine detail. This print is the size of your thumb.
printing vs CNC milling the 3d printing wins because there is no way to carve a figurehead like this with just an X Y Z mill nor can you get the fine detail. This print is the size of your thumb.
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A typical line of G-code is quite cryptic for newcomers – it takes years for a CNC machinist to master the language.
https://www.scan2cad.com/tips/guide-to-cad-for-cnc-what-is-g-code/
it took a year to write from scratch the G codes for 11 cannons to be turned on a CNC lathe and that was done by someone who knew how to do it.
you can buy software that automatically creates the G code for CNC but some of those programs cost up to $30,000.00
I bought one of these machines thinking all I have to do is draw it and carve it. The video shows kids using the machine so how hard can it be?
http://www.carvewright.com/
it is easy as long as you download a file from their library but create a cutting file from scratch ya right after almost a year I sold the machine never did get a usable carving out of it.
https://www.scan2cad.com/tips/guide-to-cad-for-cnc-what-is-g-code/
it took a year to write from scratch the G codes for 11 cannons to be turned on a CNC lathe and that was done by someone who knew how to do it.
you can buy software that automatically creates the G code for CNC but some of those programs cost up to $30,000.00
I bought one of these machines thinking all I have to do is draw it and carve it. The video shows kids using the machine so how hard can it be?
http://www.carvewright.com/
it is easy as long as you download a file from their library but create a cutting file from scratch ya right after almost a year I sold the machine never did get a usable carving out of it.
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bottom line you have to be a wiz at CAD and 3D software drawing programs
3d printing also depends on the resolution of the printer those $1,500.00 printers have such poor resolution your print looks like a blob.
3d printing also depends on the resolution of the printer those $1,500.00 printers have such poor resolution your print looks like a blob.
This is all true What didit has said. as for 3D printers there are so many offerings to choose from obviously the more you spend the higher end you can get, but not always as some companies think they can get makerbot prices for kindergarten quality machines. the best bang for the buck is the XYZ line of printers you get great quality prints right out of the box but there is always room for improvement and the community for XYZ printers is huge so many folks are working on making them even better. I went that way with mine and now I have a 300$ printer I put another 300 into it and it prints in very high quality right up there with Makerbot $2,000+ machines.
You will need to learn some form of cad program to draw up your own prints that alone will take some time if your not familiar with such programs. It is however easier then learning to write G-code. I can do both, but I prefer to draw in cad its much faster and easier. There are simple programs such as Google sketchup and tinkercad but they are somewhat limited a better program would be Fusion 360 I have all three, but fusion 360 had a steeper learning curve so I don't use it that often even though I should as it will do everything I could ever hope to do. In these times though where life gets in the way with hobbies the fastest route is usually what we take. for me that was Sketchup and Tinkercad I can do most of the things I need but there are things I cant do so I have to compromise or do it with a harder program to navigate. I would do a week or two researching to see if its something you can or are willing to do.
You will need to learn some form of cad program to draw up your own prints that alone will take some time if your not familiar with such programs. It is however easier then learning to write G-code. I can do both, but I prefer to draw in cad its much faster and easier. There are simple programs such as Google sketchup and tinkercad but they are somewhat limited a better program would be Fusion 360 I have all three, but fusion 360 had a steeper learning curve so I don't use it that often even though I should as it will do everything I could ever hope to do. In these times though where life gets in the way with hobbies the fastest route is usually what we take. for me that was Sketchup and Tinkercad I can do most of the things I need but there are things I cant do so I have to compromise or do it with a harder program to navigate. I would do a week or two researching to see if its something you can or are willing to do.
Hi Pat as our learned colleagues have said, its a complex journey. To get fine details on small items you need an very expensive printer. Depending on how small, its may be better to purchase, Mold/ model from cold set clay ( lots of info on youtube), hand carve wood etc, model railway figures etc There are lots of options. Both a CNC & 3D printer are a Hole for money to be put in that never fill ups. They are fun but a long journey and not always the solution.
Id give it a go Brother. It never fails to amaze me the things we can do when we need to, who knows you may have had the skillset all along and just needed an event to trigger you to do it. I will try nearly anything once
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I'll be trying my hand at carving on the Scratch build Constellation. I took some pictures of the insignias on the rear of the ship blew them up so I can see the details. I will use sculpting clay to make it from I will need several so Ill be basically making a blank to cast others from. I'm a very long ways from that though as those will be among the last things I do.