Expanding the ShapeOko community by a bunch

[edwardrford]

... to migrate the model (parts, drawings, presentation views, and assemblies) over to the FreeCAD format.

[AtomSoft]

I just installed FreeCAD and will play with it to see if its something i can do. might as well try to help

[alpha]

Hello

2.) *If* we can get enough people to volunteer, it could go by pretty quickly.
So... does anyone care to volunteer?

I would like to help, however I don't know what to do. I have FreeCad installed and I was able to open the ShapeOko Step file. What needs to be done? I guess I'm a CAD noob, so please forgive me...

Regards,
Markus

[edwardrford]

Regarding the CAD data:

I think this will be easier once we get a table put into the wiki with the correct columns. We can start by using the exising parts table, although some of those parts and assemblies are not going to be accurate going forward. As some parts have changed since Burke originally put the wiki together and other parts are no longer needed (example being the double Z-axis mount).

It might be best if I generate a new table, as right now at least, I'm the only one with an updated model / assemblies. Once the table is in place, we can setup a focus group to oversee the table maintenance. It might also be the right time to generate a few basic FreeCAD tutorials (such as dimensioning a sketch, or creating a part based off a DXF, etc).

-Edward

[AtomSoft]

Now that sounds like a plan! Cant wait to help all that i can. Also when the Shapeoko Comes in i plan to do a video tutorial on how to assemble and place on my site...

[alpha]

I started a new thread for the FreeCAD tutorials: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=188

[AtomSoft]

While freeCAD is free... its not user friendly at all... (to me so far)

Took me about 15 Min to make a bolt in 2D

Would take me 2 minutes in Sketchup (3D version of a bolt)


Why not use sketchup ? and just work on a script?

[edwardrford]

Sketchup doesn't allow for assemblies. And, although free, Sketchup is not open source.

I like sketchup as much as the next guy, but it's not for this type of project.

edit: Read through the Parametric Modeling Section of the Solid Modeling entry on Wikipedia. The example they give is really great. Imagine trying to do that same process in sketchup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_modeling#Parametric_Modeling


-Edward

[AtomSoft]

Thanks ill check it out now. I should change my name to AtomNoob

Ah i see now... i have lots to learn