04-12-2010, 10:50 AM
(04-09-2010, 06:38 PM)jasonwright.1972 Wrote: Any updates on the rendering Joe. Yours & Richards 3D renders have blown me away. Im trying to tewach myself when Ive got time, which is never... I really need to learn how to make files for laser cutting. Anyone point me in the right direction?????
Thanks Jase, I should have an update soon. I just got some glue and acyrlic tubing for the "Real" Cylon tanker, and my big girl the Galactica. So I'm gearing up for those two monsters. I hit a snag on the tanker. The guy who was helping me on the tanker ID's has fell off the map. I have most of the major ID's, but am missing a few parts. I PM'd the master Jim C, quite a while back. Haven't heard back yet. Oh well, thats why they call it scratch building, cause you have to beg and scratch for it, LOL. I want to finish the CG version of the Tanker for the parts maps. If I get the real one finished first I'll use those pics instead. As for the files for laser cutting, I think most people use a Cad program, like Autocad. You can also use a vector program like Corel Draw, if your cutter can use vector files. Unlike bitmap programs like Photoshop or some other paint program ,vectors contain the actual curve and dimension data of the shapes. They can be reduced or enlarged without losing quality. I'm looking at a cutter online, here, http://www.customlasercutting.com/ If you ck out their page, they have ton of helpful tutorials, and links to free software you can use. If you want them to convert your drawings they can do that also, For a price of course. I'm still looking for a local laser or waterjet company. I'm in the boondocks, so there aren't very many around. Hope this is helpful. If I find out a fool proof way to do this I'll post the info for everyone. I don't have a way to export my 3D cross sections yet. Lightwave can only output a few formats, and I don't have the latest version. So I'm in the boat right there with ya, Cheers,
Joe