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Winter

Started by RhB_HJ, November 18, 2014, 09:04:53 PM

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RhB_HJ

The temperature dropped and it's time to get on with the indoors program. Presently wrestling with Sketchup Make to get the right contours for roofs that have compound curves on the end. GRRRRRRR Does anyone know of a program that will convert 2D drawings to 3D? As in give it two elevations and the plan view and it will do the rest.
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

chaz

HJ,

When I ask that question, the answer is always Blender.  It's free, but that's all I know.  The Youtube movie shows all the things you don't want to do.

http://www.blender.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XZGulDxz9o

Chaz
MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

Mike from CT


chaz

I sure your joking, but the link is already there.  AnyRail exports 3d Collada files.  Blender imports 3d Collada files (and many more types).  But why use such a powerful tool just to view your AnyRail design in 3D? 

http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.6/Manual/Data_System/Files/Import/COLLADA

BTW, Blender started in the Netherlands.  I'll bet David knows the creator(s).
MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

RhB_HJ

Thanks guys.  ;)  However that all would have been "too easy".  ::) ::) And it looks like this old fart just needs to buckle down and learn how to do it in Sketchup. I have a good supply of Tylenol on hand and ...... :o
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

David

Well, it's a small country, but I don't know everyone ;)

David.
David Hoogvorst. Founder and Owner of DRail Software. Creator of AnyRail.

chaz

Hi HJ,

Can you post a picture?  I'll give a couple of hours.

Chaz
MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

RhB_HJ

Hi chaz,

Would you? Much appreciated! 
As you can see from the screen shot I managed the easy part of the roof, I could also offset the front end as required what I can't figure out is how to use "follow me" to fill from one side to the other using the surface marked "a".

If it would help I could whip up the three views as a 2D.

PS this reminds me of the first scratch-built turnouts I built. I needed a crossover in a curve of a double tracked mainline.  ::) ::)
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

chaz

#8
HJ,

This will keep you busy till Christmas.  My cross section and top line are both squashed circles.  Yours will be train like.  This is not a blended curve, but it might get you close enough.

1. create a surface that will become the side-to-side cross section of the cab.
2. create a curvy line that will be the top line of the cab, front-to-back.  start the line at the top center of your cross section.
3. use the "Follow Me" tool to extrude the cross section along a top line.
4. create a second, larger surface that intersects your cab where you want the bottom to be.  BTW, this can also be a complex surface.
5. select everything and right click.  Pick Intersect Faces / With Selection tool.
6. carefully delete all the surfaces and lines that are not your cab.

Chaz
MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

RhB_HJ

Thanks chaz, it will probably be (way) past Christmas 'till when I get the hang of the compound curves.  ;) :o
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

chaz

HJ,

If you download Sketchup Make 2015, you get 1 free month of Sketchup Pro.  You get more solid merging and intersecting commands.  Have you looked in the Sketchup Warehouse of locomotives?

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search.html?q=locomotive&backendClass=entity

Chaz
MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

RhB_HJ

chaz,

I have to get a bit farther up on the learning curve, but to avoid "flare up" I restrict myself to a limited amount of time every day.

I downloaded one Czech engine that has similar ends, but haven't finished breaking it down to the point where I'm sure how it was drawn. Still working on that together with figuring out how to best scale a surface, instead of offsetting it. Lots to learn.

BTW the roof end is from a passenger car rather than an engine, not that it really matters; the challenge remains the same. Which reminds me, some of those duck-ends on the NA old time stuff would be a similar problem. 
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

RhB_HJ

chaz

I played with the existing model - divide and rearrange - that gets mighty close to what's needed. Now I really have to find out how that was drawn.
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

chaz

HJ,

I tried to make a shell for an ACF Motorcar...but only got this far.  I wish I could remember how I did it.  I'll post the design if you think it will help.

ACF made some very pretty passenger trains.  This is the Gulf and Mobile Rebel.  http://streamlinermemories.info/Eastern/gmorebel64.jpg

Chaz
MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

RhB_HJ

This is the CSD railcar model I downloaded as the learning object for the roof, very nice model with all the interior and "stuff". Now back to the grind stone.
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display