Slicing 3d obj file to set of 2d jpgs

cloister

Could anyone please advise me of a simple (?) program to slice a 3d model obj file into a series of 2d jpgs (or similar). I have looked at autodesk 123D, but its t and c's have some unacceptable items. Otherwise, this would have been an ideal program.

I think it can be done in Blender, but I find this too awesome for a newbie like me!!

Any help would be most appreciated

cliff berry

JimmyC_2009

I think we would need a bit more information to help you here?

What is the object of doing this, what are you trying to achieve? Do you just want a 2D view of various parts ot the model, to show what it is made up of? What do you intend to use these 2D images for?

The Wavefront OBJ format is capable of carrying the UV information for a mesh as well, and you can extract that using a program like UV Mapper, or any modelling program can break down the component parts. You can also select polygons in DS using the Polygon Selection Tool, and make the sections a different colour.

cloister

Thanks for quick response!!

I have a simple 3d model to slice up into jpgs so I can print out a series of layers to use as templates for cutting hardwood slices (by hand - to save money! ) so I can construct an actual model for display.

Hope this makes sense!

cloister

JimmyC_2009

UV Mapping a 3D model, 'flattens' it out, so that textures can be applied. Depending on the method used, it may or may not be of use for creating actual models from it.

If it is an item based on a cube, it should be easy enough to flatten the image (UV Map Cubic projection), but it may not give exact dimensions taht could be used for a cutting list in the real world. It will work fine for applying textures in a 3D program, and there should be no white spaces when the texture is applied.

I don't think that you will be able to use anything other than a dedicated CAD type program for what you want. If it is a fairly simple object, you may be able to do it, but, it may just be easier to print out a cutting list from Autocad or some of the free versions of it which are set up to do that?

If anyone else wants to chip in here, feel free :-)

Richard Haseltine

To make images, as long as the item doesn't have any protrusions, it might work to set the object to flat black (set all colours to black and the Lighting Model to Mat in the Surfaces pane), and then take a plane and make it white (all colours White, mat lighting model, Ambient Strength 100%). Switch to front view from the view picker and make a series of renders with the cube moved forward to obscure more and more of the model, then switch to the Back view and move the plane back. I set the plane heer to z-trans -8 in frame 0, z-trans 22 in frame 30, and rendered to an image sequence. (Of course if doing this for real more care would be needed in framing the plane, and in matching back and front view zooms - it might be better to use a real camera with perspective off)

cloister

Thanks for the help!

I've decided to go with the original software I found. Autodesk 123D does exactly what I want. It slices the object into layers to match the thickness of the material being used ( in my case, 4mm hardwood ply ). It adds dowel holes to aid in correct location of the layers. It numbers all pieces and gives an order list for assembly. It prints out the plans of each part the same size as the dimensions of the 4mm ply. All I need now is an A0 printer/plotter :roll:

cloister

Jaderail

Sounds like a very Neat project. Please Post pictures when/if you can.

cloister

Sure, will do!! It will take some long time, though. I am well used to marquetry and parquetry in 2D, but this is a whole new ball game for me, and at a much larger scale!

Still, the interest has been awakened.

cloister