Reversed 3D Carving

[mwpfeifer]

Need some help from the forum experts. I'm sure the fix is something simple but darned if I can figure it out. I carved the Vector Art 3d image# 58071U_B in a piece of white pine and the result is a negative image. What I mean is the parts that should be raised are in fact carved out. The carving is like a mold. What did I do wrong? I'm using Aspire 3.5 and imported the image from Vector Art. I have done the same thing many times using other Vector Art files and never had anything like this happen.

[rej]

look to see if the component came in as an add or subtract setting, then reverse it.

[myxpykalix]

Looking at that on their website it is a model that is "dished" meaning your relief carving of the moose should stick proud of the surface within this dish.
Maybe post a pic of your result and that will probably tell us all we need to know, because a picture is worth a thousand words.

[mwpfeifer]

Jack,
Your description is correct "dished and proud of the surface". I took a photo but it doesn't really show the result correctly, it's attached. I'm thinking I did something wrong in Aspire but I'm not very sharp with the 3D modeling part.

[mwpfeifer]

Robert,
When I imported the image and selected "Component Properties" in Aspire the default selection was "Merge lowest points with previous components" and I changed that to "Add to previous components" Also when I view from multiple angles in the 3D window the image appears raised above the dished surface as it should.

[Brady Watson]

What happens if you import it into a fresh Aspire session and create a toolpath from it? What happens then? Does it look the same?

If you put a vector circle around say the moose's head and use that as your machining boundary - can you do a test cut in some scrap? Does it cut correctly now?

-B

[gpinard]

This result is exactly what is needed for the 3D carvings in acrylic that are lit from below with LED lights. From what I have seen the face is smooth, the carving is done from the back in reverse.
I have been wondering how to that in V-carve, hoping it had the capability.
Is this a separate feature of Aspire that Michael has found?

[Brady Watson]

You can do this already with ANY 3D carving by changing the Z value from 1 to -1 on the yellow fill-in sheet you see when you start any part file. No fancy footwork in CAD/CAM to do. Toolpath it positive & then sign the Z proportion negative.

-B

[scottp55]

Michael, Slightly off topic, but have not bought any 3d at all but saw this one and wanted to buy my first one as it looks a little like my favorite mountain in Maine. Can I ask what the size is you made it and what size ballnose you used? From the pic it looks exactly like the "dished" preview.

[myxpykalix]

not sure about this program but you have to find "component properties" and there should be a symbol that look like a U and i think you change it to what looks like a upside down U because you want to make it a relief carving as opposed to a mold like carving.