I have a pretty big request, I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to whip up most of the SES parts that are remaining and could maybe model them for 3d studio max in .3ds files.
I’d love to build a robot in 3DSM and render some cool pictures here for my project but I cant because theres a lack of .3ds files in the lynxmotion database.
So please, if anyone can help, let me know. Alibre is hard for me to use, things never mate right and never pivot correctly after being mated so the robot starts to become less kinetic joint-wise and servos pop out of their mounts and whatnot lol.
You shouldn’t need the 3ds files, you should be able to import the step or igres files as they are industry standard. I did that as I have an earlier version of solidworks.
I believe you are not using the correct servo model.
The correct model is now available on the website. I fixed the problem of servos popping out of brackets. I also fixed the problem of servos not mating properly with brackets. Download the new servo model and remove the old one from your set of models.
The models will mate correctly using Alibre. You have to align at least two holes first and then mate the surfaces the holes are on. If you have a flexible joint, just mate the larger holes and the surfaces they are on and the joint will be flexible.
I have Alibre, but haven’t used it much. When I did try to view a bracket or two in an assembly, it quickly crashed the view! I’m thinking my version or Alibre is old. What is the current version, or version you are using?
I’m more interested in good DXF files, which I normally use in my mechanical drawings. I’m interested in getting the proper locations of holes and dimensions between mountings. That’s what I had hoped to export from Alibre. I may just buy a few brackets (SES) beforehand and measure them out myself.
I was also hoping to get a good list (BOM?) of the parts and brackets (SES part #s?) required to build a ‘C’ leg with the new aluminum part. I don’t want to buy entire leg kits only to have to replace the leg with the new aluminum one. I understand there is no price advantage to buying a leg “kit” anyway, so buying the parts individually seems reasonable.
I’m actually seeing intermittent joystick data now on my PS2 - PIC software. I hope to get back to that project in a few days.
It’s not just the servo bugging me. Every single part is pretty dang hard to match up. When I pick a hole’s outer edge, it has to have the same degree orientation as the other part I’m trying to mesh otherwise it wont mate right. If one holes edge looks like a ( and the others is rotated 90 degrees, it doesn’t lock at all. Then the pieces will float out of mates once I try to rotate a joint on my robot.
I’m a complete noob to Alibre, but it’s just not as easy to me as 3DSM is. Even AFTER i register it bugs me with this annoying part limit. It’s just not as sophisticated to me as 3DSM is.
That’s it??? I’m going to be starting a huge project with SES that’s going to stretch out over a year in development, I really cant mess with demos at this stage (sorry).
Okay so I’ve been checking over the LM databse, and instead of requesting every piece to be done in .3DS or .IGS format, I’ll request the ones I need at the moment because it seems everything else we have is fine to start off.
Use the inner surface of a hole and everything should align correctly. There can be a problem when trying to align holes using the outer edges, so I use the inner surfaces of the holes and it works fine.
Remember, Alibre Xpress is FREE for unlimited usage, so naturally there will be a limit, such as the number of parts usable in assemblies. Have you worked through the tutorials?
You mean you were able to get that far with Alibre? LOL, I can’t get past drawing a qube with that software. I love the interface, it’s nice and clean and renders nice but the tutorials are shabby that come with the free version.
When I’m trying to mate 2 holes using edges or inner surfaces that look like a “(” which is a left or right cave, it works. When trying to mate a hole edge that uses a “(” and a rainbow (upwards cave), it doesn’t mate. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Plus I’m using 3D STUDIO MAX 9 lol, I have no use for Alibre as 3DSM9 is one of the top 3D/CAD modelers in the world right now. Not only is it well talked about, but it’s also very easy to use as far as constructing assemblies and setting up bone rigging and rendering final scenes.
All I need right now to continue this project is a model of the small foot and I’m good to go, I have 2 very nice legs done that have absolutely no feet lol.
Not exactly true… I’ve made my living doing 3D Modelling and Design for the past 5 years now. I use 3D Studio Max 9 on a daily basis, as well as SolidWorks 2007. However, I don’t use them to do the same thing.
For designing a product that will be manufactured, a true solid modeling program is the only way to go. That’s where SolidWorks comes into play.
But for rendering and animation, 3DS Max beats Solidworks.
After I’ve designed a product, I will export the SolidWorks Assembly into a series of Stereo Lithograph files, or .STL
After that, I can import them into 3DS Max, and they even retain their correct place in the assembly.
From there, I can assign more realistic materials and use a HDR lighting map for more realism. I use a plugin in 3DS Max called VRAY that blows the default Scanline Renderer away.
Each program has its own use. You could never send a 3DS MAX file to a Manufacturer and expect them to build your product off of that 1 file, like you can with SolidWorks.
I was comparing Alibre to 3DSM9, and yes I know what VRAY is, I’ve been using 3DSM for a very long time and have BRAZIL R/S myself.
I never said Solidworks isnt better for this situation, of course it is; we’re speaking about CAD designs here and 3DSM cant aid me much. I know exactly how powerful Solidworks is, I’m trying to acquire a license at the moment.
We’re talking about Alibre here, and because I dont use it much I feel (and know) 3DSM is way better. So sure I could waste hours learning Alibre, or I could waste hours begging someone to model me a small foot
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