DXF Files

[Rocket]

Hello,

Is there a software program where I can
import a dxf file that I created and then "simulate" it
like you can in Gearotic?

Thank you,

R

[ArtF]

R:

Well, there is, but its not as easy as that. Theres a lot of settings and rules to define to simulate typically, but a program like SolidWorks
will do such things. For simulation software your usually looking at a fairly high cost.. FreeCad will do such things, but may be more complex than you imagine in setting up a simulation, upside is its free.. Solidworks will run you from 5K to 30K for a copy to do full simulation
from what I understand. You wont find anything like Gearotic in terms of simulation I dont think, where you simply dop on a shape
and have it interact, Gearotic cheats by knowing how gears and such interface, it fills in the relationships for you, which in truth are
not as complex since they are gears.
  All that having been said, if you get good at it, these programs do a great job.. but be prepared to dedicate a large amount
of time to get good at it. Simulation of real world interactions between shapes is a complex thing to do generally so the costs tend
to be high in time and/or gold.. :) , the easier it is to simulate, the more expensive the solution in general terms..

  FreeCad may be up your alley for that, but what Ive found is CAD is very personal, what one likes, another hates. Once you dedicate
enough time to learn one program, your unlikley to switch as other programs will then annoy you due to differing interface
requirments and such. Try a program for hours or weeks before deciding, its usually a one way road with no return path.. :)

Art

[Rocket]

Thanks Art,

Any chance we will be able to import a dxf into Gearotic soon?

Not being a programmer I have no idea how hard that is to accomplish.


R

[ArtF]

Rocket:

It will happen, but Im not sure how soon. I am adding DXF export and a few wizards into Auggie now( such as clock face generation,
decorations, rulers, compasses and such) which will then be used to generate DXF's , once that is complete I plan to add to Gearotic to allow it to load those dxf's for use in the workbench in Gearotic to toolpath the dxfs. Once Gearotic can load the DXF's, I will then allow one to replace the gear outlines generated by Gearotic to be re-extruded.
  This would help with folks that want special levers or shapes but may not simulate properly once changed.

  Its very difficult to simulate an arbitrary shape....almost impossible..

    As I look at all the software out there, its pretty clear the world really doesnt need yet another dxf drawing program, between vectric, cambam, sheetcam..etc.. there are lots of great solutions for general creation of DXF's, I will therefore focus on the ability
to load DXF's or modify them for machining or laser burning. Simple drawing tools will be installed for modifying dxf's you have
drawn in other prgrams or have generated with Gearotic, but the focus will be on generating rather complex things that people have trouble making generally with cad programs through wizards. Feedback always seems to indicate Gearotics place in the world is to help with creations of things like gears , ratchets or shapes which can be a pain to draw if you DO use cad programs.

So Id expect to see solutions that generate specific things that are otherwise a pain.. rather than a full drawing program. Im working on the DXF processor now in terms of output, selections, chaining for machining, bitmap conversion and such.. and Im pretty sure that will
take me to the fall to complete. Then Gearotic will start to be modified to allow the loading of such dxf's, as to what Gearotic will do with them, we'll find out as we get to load them and I see whats possible.. and what isnt.. :)

  Im trying to envision a way to guide a user to discover the kinetic relationship between any two shapes that user draws, and then
to modify that relationship to suit a use. It would allow one to discover an escapement type of mechanism that may be unique to
some purpose or sculpture. I might mention thats a HUGE task and a very hard one to envision. I have a few ideas I may have to try
to see what kind of thing is possible. It may end up being something you give shapes to, then wait for hours or days as it trys to
evolve a strategy which best matches your request.. Im facinated by evolution algorithms that use radiation of virtual dna to
slowly evolve a solution based on collision rules and such.. might be an area I decide to play in.. if an algorithm can simulate
a shape rotation in 50ms, than overnight it can evolve through almost 2 million trials , eventually one would think it could
discover how to do what one wants..if one can describe what that want is...lol 

  Anyway, the simple answer is no, you cant import soon, and when you can it will be mainly to use the cnc workbench so you can generate gcode for your own drawings or Auggie's wizards outputs. Sorry for the long answer, but Im in summer mode and
this is the type of thing I think about in the summer. :)

Art




Art

[Rocket]

Art,

You are the best.....

Thank  you for all you do.

Richard