Re: USGS data, StlTrans, StlWork

Fred,

So we go FROM .DEM through StlTrans (.STL) TO StlWork (that's where my
.STL's will come from!). And StlWork does the CUTTING in a raster
fashion, as I meant to say.

I went back through the posts, and I couldn't find a .DLG file mentioned
in your posts; I guess it was from mine, or wishful thinking. Any
chance .DLG could be added? The data organization is different; sets of
points (contours) pointed to by sets of points. Not a "raster"
organization, like .DEM files. Has more information then .DEM's, and as
I understand, .DEM's are made from .DLG's. I've examined both sets of
data for a QUAD, and the .DLG data is somehow more aesthetically
pleasing (er, the image on the screen). Actually, .DEM's should be
straight forward to cut, already in a raster organization, just some
scaling required.

And watching it cut! The mill following contours is much more
interesting then just back and forth raster cuts!

Alan (but then, I like to go around in circles!)

Fred Smith wrote:

> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2000 17:11:58 -0700
> From: Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@...>
> Subject: Re: USGS data
>
> >I downloaded the StlTrans demo,
> snipped...
> >Not really sure where the "mesh"
> >gets created from the .DEM (DLG?), so that output can be a raster (in
> >StlWork?).
>
> StlWork is NOT a raster program, but rather works with 3D triangular meshes in STL files. The cutting strategy that is uses is called raster, in that it is a simple back and forth in X or Y, accompanied by a change in Z. This is the same way that raster images are formed in computer graphics, except that the variation is color codes, rather than Z depth.
>
> The DEM processor in StlTrans converts a DEM file which is a raster image into a 3D mesh representation, which you save as a DXF or STL file. Follow the help instructions and you will be able to create some very interesting 3D stl models
>
> >Also tried the StlWork, but I have no .STL files! So I didn't get very
> >far. I'll wait for a couple of weeks to ask STL questions, as I
> >remember you were still evaluating/working on them. Anyway, I'm still
> >looking/experimenting.
>
> StlTrans has 3 or 4 ways that it can generate 3D stl models for you.
>
> The GIS data from DEM for contour maps.
> It has a Raster to Vector translator (.bmp) that will translate a picture into a 3D model. Check out .bmp to dem for this one.
> 3D extrusion of tru-type text, actual or stencil. (Sample stl file on the web site)
> 3D beveling of tru-type fonts (Sample of this on the web site too.)
> 3D beveling of other closed shapes
>
> The bevel profiles and outlines to be extruded, can be drawn in Vector and applied in StlTrans. I hope to have tutorials of all these on our web site within the next few weeks.
>
> All these forms will allow you to save a STL file that can be processed in StlWork and machined on a 3 axis mill or router.
>
> Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService
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