Measurements

Z-SUITE/Firmware General Discussion
#1

I’ve been trying to find a software for Mac that will give me real life measurements for printing. I use Blender to make my designs but it doesn’t have real life measuring in the program.

Would be nice to have a scale measure tool built into the Zsuite.

What do y’all use to get the measurements correct on your stl model?

#2

I think you can change the unit scale on blender that will give real life measurements.

http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/User:Rayek/Doc:2.6/Manual/Interface/Units

I hope this helps

#3

I use Tinkercad.

#4

meshmixer, free.

from autocad.

#5

[quote name=pixelophy]I think you can change the unit scale on blender that will give real life measurements.

http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/User:Rayek/Doc:2.6/Manual/Interface/Units

I hope this helps
[/quote]

Thanks. I actually tried that but it seems that when I put it in inches and the export stl then import to Zsuite, it is so tiny. So I’m sure it’s something I’m doing wrong like having the scale at 1.00 when I should have it at 3.00. lol

Not sure but I’ll keep trying till I get it right.

Just thought there may by a straight forward program for such a thing.

Thanks all

#6

If you export in inches, scale it up in Zsuite 25.4 to get the right size. Or just export STL in mm.

#7

Thanks

#8

I use Rhino OSX 

http://www.rhino3d.com/mac

 

You can download it for free for now. Great nurbs modeler and very accurate.

#9

CAD takes place in Workstations and unfortunately for you.This is Windows terrain or maybe Linux, but not MAC. Mac is for other purpouses....

Buy a real machine and learn real CAD, CATIA, PRO-E, NX, or even Solidworks make a litte investment.

Rhinoceros is an excelent platform and its affordable.

Free softwares usually generate more trouble than the ones they are able to solve, of course there are exceptions.

#10

The correct software and hardware depends of your needs, and desires.

For sure you need the correct tool for the job, could be CATIA, or Rhino or even Sketchup. 

Sometimes an ugly software as Meshmixer does the job.

Sometimes an hybrid environment as OSX + Parallels is enough.

Depends of what you intend to do, your skills and budget.

As example, if you are on figurines CAD isn't a priority.

Maybe Zbrush or even Sculptris as a start.