Everytime I import into the laser cutter it applies whatever size it wants so I just box things into squares. So if the entire file is just encased in a rectangle thats whatever, say 100mm*100mm then when you export, just change the file dimensions to whatever the preset box is. That way, you'll never lose scale no matter what drawing program or machine your using. And yes, I shake my fist at sketchup. I forgot to check if a sketchup drawing had the 120mm holes in the right areas, I just assumed since it was 120mm on the computer that the holes were in the right place....but no. Anyhow There should be dxf and cad or cam. Excuse my ignorance but what files do you use to cut with the cnc? How is depth calculated into the drawing? Ive heard about gcode or whatever but im a bit out of the loop.
@EEL - And I couldn't export to dwg. I need some real CAD software!!! @DJ - I'm using DXF for CNC.- That's all I can export to. The CAM software is where the tool type, operation, and cut depth is set up at. G code is the final file you output from the CAM software. You could think of it like printer spooling.
Well I suggest DXF be one and WMF (windows meta file). The reason Ive put wmf in there is because you can trace Jpegs and bitmaps into wmf and stick it into autocad. Heaps useful. Any other suggestions? Jezmck did you want me to send you some wmf and dxf files?
What I mean is some examples of what files you'd be willing to submit to the collection, with a preview image if poss.
Logos Radiator plates Custom Res's Motherboard backplates... I got heaps to donate and im continually making new designs of which im more than happy to share with the community.
I AM IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! btw, what software do u guys use to convert sketchup files for CNC 2d or 3d cutting? im finding quite hard to find a software to do that
Autocad, been using it since highschool! With the logo I had to get a high res JPEG from coolermaster taiwan, convert to bitmap, vectorise on corel draw, convert to windows meta file, import into autocad and then scale. If anyone wants a more detailed way to do it, I will post one. Take your sketchup file and make sure you have sketchup pro, then export it to dxf, move it to autocad and edit it to your liking, make sure its to scale, resave the dxf as a 2d image rather than a 3d image and then move it to your laser cutter or cnc.
Cool man, i have sketchup 7 pro, do i only export it to dfx on the go, or do i need to install an external software to do that? Will ask my sister to teach me autoCAD, cause i never use it. Im kind of sketchup lover i guess!
With the category's why not just have 1 for each file type then see what people upload, should be easier to sort it out into sections once you know what you have
I need that drawing! that would be a mega help to me! Categories could be like the typical motherboard backplates psu plates rad plates res's hdd trays misc components watercooling components Templates for various things Fan holes 5.25 bays 3.25 bays SSD holders IO plates Thats all I got off the top of my head, if the misc components gets too big then you can just create more categories to fit them in.
@Dennis - For Sketchup to 2d cnc, You select the surface that you want to make with the bounding edges and copy it. In a new file, you paste to the origin point. Rotate the surface if it's not on the XY plane. Then the dxf you make will be ready to go into the CAM software. I haven't tried a 3d cam export yet with SU. The resolution is crappy, and I'm still shopping for 3d cam software. SU has a habit of moving points to the nearest snap. It will often slightly bend a flat surface. It makes it a very poor cad software.
Bit off topic but....I just ordered this so ill need to go software shopping soon as well.... Its my birthday today!
That's a great start, but I don't actually know what you mean by a few of these. What's a PSU Plate?, and what do you mean by the different size bays? Just the rectangle dimensions of the hole in a case?
When I say plate, I guess I should say template or holder. All these designs are to create "holders" for the PSU, Motherboard, watercooling , hdds/ssd's etc.
