RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: My 3D printer software done

Hi Graham, Roger,

I know you are doing printers (raster), the last time I was thinking about
RepRat, I was considering CNC to move an extrusion head around.

Maybe more flexibility with vectors, but the conversion of STL to SLC to
Roger's bitmaps should be a similar process? OK, different at the end
(bitmap vs. vector) but still a similar process. Maybe even simpler, I
don't know how Roger's code works, but while following the vectors of the
SLC around and building up a raster table (I'm guessing here), the vectors
might also be available. Maybe vectors (later to be Gcode) could also be
generated as an option. ;>)

I think I can generate STL files. Is there a demo of Rhino that can output
SLC files? I'm not ready to buy Rhino quite yet.

I'm fascinated even with just the algorithms/programs!

Alan KM6VV

> >
> > Hi Roger,
> >
> > Is SLC (and/or STL) Rhino-specific file(s)? Sounds like a lengthy
> process.
> > Keep us posted!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Alan
> >
>
>
> STL is an industry standard and is based on triangles, the only good
> thing about it is that it is scalable otherwise its big and horrible
> to deal with.
>
> The SLC file format was invented by 3D systems for their printers, it
> is a layer by layer format which defines the contour boundaries for
> each layer and by the order the points in the boundaries are listed
> CW/CCW defines if they are internal or external. These files SHOULD
> be easy to deal with (if Rhino and others got it right) and are 15 to
> 20 times smaller for complex geometries than STL.
>
> Exporting any model, STL or whatever from Rhino4 is just a matter of
> save as. Then Roger's software converts the contours to bitmaps by
> filling them in ready for printing. Nothing lengthy about it and much
> quicker than it would be with STL.
>
> Graham
>
>