New 3d user needs help with stars

[Stari]

The file ive attached (flag), im wondering if there is a way I can use the vcarve toolpath on the stars. Im not sure if theres anyway to select just the stars to vcarve once the rest is done.
Any help?

[Adrian]

Create vectors for the stars, create VCarve toolpath using them and make sure the Project toolpath onto 3D model is checked and you should be good to go.

If it's not a model you original created you would need to use the sculpt tool to fill in where the stars are now.

[Rcnewcomb]

use the sculpt tool

No sculpt tool in VCarve.

[Adrian]

use the sculpt tool

No sculpt tool in VCarve.

Doh, that's what you get for clicking Unanswered posts and not checking which group it is.

[Stari]

Create vectors for the stars, create VCarve toolpath using them and make sure the Project toolpath onto 3D model is checked and you should be good to go.

If it's not a model you original created you would need to use the sculpt tool to fill in where the stars are now.

Thank you! Ive done stars before that had sharp corners. Not sure why they are coming out super round and blobby now?

[highpockets]

The bit you're using may be too big to carve the stars well.

[Stari]

The bit you're using may be too big to carve the stars well.

Yea ive tried the 90deg and 60deg amana bits. They could be too big. Ill have to test some other stuff later

[highpockets]

I think I'm confused now. Is the flag a component with stars and you're carving the entire thing with a V bit?

[Stari]

I think I'm confused now. Is the flag a component with stars and you're carving the entire thing with a V bit?

Oh no not at all, im using the 3d roughing and finishing, but the stars dont come out "clean" like they do with a vbit, unless theres an endmill I can use other than a vbit to do that? If there is im not sure.

[highpockets]

Use a ball nose bit for roughing and a smaller one for finishing. If the stars are so small that a small ball nose bit doesn't produce the desired results create vectors around each star then using a V-bit create a second finishing toolpath with all the vectors around the stars selected and using the Machining Boundary "Selected Vectors" you should get better detail with out carving the whole piece with a v-bit.

Hope this helps.

[Stari]

Use a ball nose bit for roughing and a smaller one for finishing. If the stars are so small that a small ball nose bit doesn't produce the desired results create vectors around each star then using a V-bit create a second finishing toolpath with all the vectors around the stars selected and using the Machining Boundary "Selected Vectors" you should get better detail with out carving the whole piece with a v-bit.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info ill give it a try!

[Stari]

Use a ball nose bit for roughing and a smaller one for finishing. If the stars are so small that a small ball nose bit doesn't produce the desired results create vectors around each star then using a V-bit create a second finishing toolpath with all the vectors around the stars selected and using the Machining Boundary "Selected Vectors" you should get better detail with out carving the whole piece with a v-bit.

Hope this helps.

Heres what I came up with (that worked)
Pocket in the stars section with a .125 ball nose
Then the full flag gets finished with a .125 3deg tapered ball nose bit

only thing is the estimated time is enourmous so ill have to figure that out. Or just scale everything down.

[sharkcutup]

Question: Is that a model of a flag? Reason for asking: the stars are designed in model to have depth. Of course with a little finesse and time you could create other tool paths to change this. But it would be a lot quicker if you had Aspire or another 3D Modeling program to change the stars to raised on flag.

If so, you can reduce the time considerably by using an end mill for the roughing pass and then use your small BN bit for the finishing pass.

Sharkcutup

[Stari]

Question: Is that a model of a flag? Reason for asking: the stars are designed in model to have depth. Of course with a little finesse and time you could create other tool paths to change this. But it would be a lot quicker if you had Aspire or another 3D Modeling program to change the stars to raised on flag.

If so, you can reduce the time considerably by using an end mill for the roughing pass and then use your small BN bit for the finishing pass.

Sharkcutup

The plan was to cut out the flag in the end, I was just trying to get decent looking stars somehow, I can't for the life of me get them to cut down with a vbit or anything where they come out sharp on the corners. Ive done it before on a 2d model and they were perfect.

Part of me just wants to cut the stripe part out with the waves and leave the stars section flat, but then it might look off because of the difference. I don't know what to do.

I dont have nor can afford aspire, pro is about far as I go until I get this shop going a little better. I do have the file however if anyone wants to take a look at it.

[martin54]

When you are setting up the toolpath for the stars from the vectors you have drawn are you checking the box to project the toolpath onto the 3d model as Adrian suggested at the top of the page ?