BeagleFury Wrote:
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> 1. Use layers to organize the different objects.
> In object mode, space -> Object -> move to
> layer will move any selected objects to the
> specified layer.
> number keys 1-9 (not keypad) will show the
> specific layer.
> shift + number key 1-9 will toggle layer
> visibility.
>
> 2. If you are doing CSG modeling:
> - Create multiple objects, each one a set that
> does not intersect itself.
> - You can include non-closed shapes, I.E,
> three or four cylinders, in the same shape.
> - It is easier use intersection by inverting
> the normals on the object that is to be cut out of
> another object, rather than try to remember which
> order you have to select the objects for a
> difference operation.
> - When unioning objects, make sure you have
> some overlap to ensure proper boolean operation.
> - Be patient. Intersect and Union appear to
> take time if the models have lots of detail.
>
> Example, for the 'clamp' for the extruder, I
> created 5 mesh objects:
> A. one large rectangular box for the main
> body.
> B. one rectangular box for the 'tab'
> C. one rectangular box for the raised area
> around one hole.
> D. rectangular boxes for the boxy areas to
> cut out of the body, with inverted normals, so
> intersection will cut out interiors.
> E. cylinders for cylindrical holes, with
> inverted normals, so intersection will cut out
> interiors.
>
> Using boolean operations, I easily created the
> final object:
> E. Union A and B to get a box with a tab.
> F. Union E and C to get final rough shape
> without holes.
> G. Intersect F and D to get shape with
> rectangular holes and cutouts.
> H. Intersect G and E for final shape.
>
> - keep intermediate meshes, move them to a
> different layer to hide them. They come in use if
> you make mistakes and have to reperform some of
> the boolean operations.
>
> 3. toggle "edge length" in the "mesh tools 1"
> window on the editing panel to get lengths (in
> mm). Create temporary edges between verticies if
> necessary. Toggle edge angles to get angles
> between edges (located in the same tool window).
>
> 4. Use a 2D tool to create rough pictures for one
> or two faces. Put them as background images to
> guide modeling.
>
> 5. Make use of cursor positioning and snap tools.
> - view properties to set an absolute cursor
> position
> - create 'empty' objects to mark important
> locations, use snap menu for cursor, objects,
> points, etc.
> - you can snap all selected points to the
> closest grid displayed. Useful if you are
> 'freehanding' a 2D curve for fill and extrusion.
>
> 6. Bezier objects appear to work okay if you need
> a prism of a 2D graph.