VCarve - support of 3MF file format

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hami77
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VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by hami77 »

Dear Vectric team!

I’m wondering that VCarve 11 doesn‘t support the import of 3D-files saved in the .3mf file format. Is it planned to integrate it in the medium term?

Regards
Hannes

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adze_cnc
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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by adze_cnc »

While some of the Vectric team do follow these boards a feature request is best served by sending an e-mail to: support@vectric.com

From the 3MF Consortium FAQ:
Does 3MF support laser cutters, CNC machines, etc.?

3MF is focused on additive manufacturing; it can be used with CNC or laser cutters, but the consortium is not putting effort into supporting the nuances of those processes as they seem to be reasonably well-served by existing formats (CNC by IGES and STEP, laser by DXF and PDF).
If the Consortium doesn't believe it is of great use for CNC / Laser...

hami77
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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by hami77 »

That's right. But you don't have to generate different file formats if you use the files for CNC, 3D-printing and/or laser cutting. And 3MF would be the format to support them all. You're right that there is no advantage for CNC but with the 3MF file format you don't have to think quite forward about the usage any more :D

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martin54
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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by martin54 »

It isn't something that would be of interest to me personally as I only have a CNC machine so don't have the need to output for different devices :lol: :lol:
As adze_cnc has mentioned feature requests are better sent directly to Vectric support where they keep a list of user requests, they do act on these but from what I understand it generally depends on the difficulty & number of requests from users.

No idea how many users also run 3D printers but if you know any then encourage them to send feature requests to Vectric :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by SuperiorAnon »

Please add support for .3mf file format.

https://3mf.io/

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gkas
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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by gkas »

Why? There's almost nothing to transfer to 3mf that stl won't.

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FabLab Wageningen
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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by FabLab Wageningen »

Correct.

But the 'one_format_for_all_uses' is seriously a good argument. And since .3MF is supported quite extensively in the 3D world it is a legit question to (kindly) ask this to Vectric. Speaking as a 3D printer and CNC user here, to be clear.

Marcel.

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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by SuperiorAnon »

gkas wrote:
Fri Jan 13, 2023 2:37 pm
Why? There's almost nothing to transfer to 3mf that stl won't.
It's a widely supported and used open format that's superior to stl in almost every way. Why shouldn't Vectric support it? Especially now when machining 3D printed parts is becoming more common.

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Tex_Lawrence
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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by Tex_Lawrence »

"Why? There's almost nothing to transfer to 3mf that stl won't."

Because change is inevitable.
Tex — Crooked Wood Products
Now there's a man with an open mind – you can feel the breeze from here.

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Adrian
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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by Adrian »

SuperiorAnon wrote:
Mon Jan 16, 2023 9:22 am
It's a widely supported and used open format that's superior to stl in almost every way. Why shouldn't Vectric support it? Especially now when machining 3D printed parts is becoming more common.
Don't have an axe to grind either way but as pointed out earlier in the thread the 3MF foundation don't see the need to support CNC machines with the format.

Adding more and more formats to software just means more and more support issues trying to keep everything in step as has happened with DXF, SVG and SKP formats to name just three.

All my opinion of course. Vectric may have very different views on it.

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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by martin54 »

I can't really see the advantage, I am neither for or against the inclusion of other formats but like Adrian that is just personal opinion & I am not really clued up on other formats for 3D work.
I am guessing a little here but if I were doing 3D printing I would probably have software that was better than Vectrics for that application, that is based on my own personal experience working in different industries. If you already have & use other software for 3D printing then what is the advantage of .3mf format over say stl when it comes to CNC work?
I am asking because I simply don't know, I do actually own a 3D printer & have looked at a couple of other software packages to be able to use it. It's just gathering dust because I simply can't find the time to learn just now :oops: :oops:

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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by adze_cnc »

The better question is: why isn't the 3D printing world abandoning the use of polygon mesh files (.STL or .3MF) and substituting a mathematical surface model such as NURBS?

If Vectric is going to implement a new 3D file format I'd suggest they look into IGES (.IGS). Rhino 3D, Solidworks already support it and it produces smooth surfaces plus edges that are real curves and not faceted polygons.
 
Importing into Rhino 3D: IGS (left) versus 3MF (right):
 
igs vs 3mf.jpg
 
Much like DXF file format STL and 3MF are "lowest common denominator" in terms of quality of input / output.

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Re: VCarve - support of 3MF file format

Post by RickW3DS »

China
I do agree, NURBS are better and IGES is better.
We gotta roll with what we got in the mean time.
And we can make some crazy stuff exported in STL format!

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