Aspire Question

[Chuck Keysor]

Hello Shopbot Neighbors:

I am trying to model parts for a railing project, which involve a Gothic arch and related/attached moldings. I am using Aspire 4.

I am able to do a sweep to create a 3D model of a molding used inside this arch. And, I am able to tool path (profile and V-carve) the other parts. But in my Aspire 3D window, I can only look at the molding, OR the tool path simulations. I'd like to look at both simultaneously, without having to open JPEGS (as attached) in Photoshop.

Well, one may suggest, gee, just tool path the molding inside the arch, then look at all of your parts as tool path previews. Well, I got stuck, and for some reason, I can't seem to create a tool path for the inner arch molding. I get a warning message saying no tool path was created. So while that is a BIG problem, it does seem as though I should be able to merge the tool previews with the 3D model and view them at the same time, so I can adjust the design of the inner arch molding's 3D model before I tool path it.

a) So how can I view my 3D model and my tool path simulations simultaneously?

b) Well, I won't ask for help on the failure to create a tool path for the 3D model, as I need to look at this longer. But on point a, I have looked at it and can't figure it out.

Thanks for any suggestions, Chuck

[myxpykalix]

I'm not sure about this program but i have seen others ask the same question and there should be something under "view"(?) i have seen them say something about tiling the views? you want a 2d view and a 3d view side by side?:confused:

[tlempicke]

One of the frustrating things in Aspire is when it will not create a tool path it will not tell you WHY the tool path was not created. It is up to you to figure it out and sometimes this can be a PITA.

[Brady Watson]

I know it isn't ideal, but it may be helpful to open up two instances of the same Aspire file. Have one showing the TP and the other showing the 3D. You can tweak the one without the TP and bring it in as a component and adjust via trial and error.

-B

[Chuck Keysor]

Tom, I agree with you about the cryptic error messages.
a) And at the end of the text for each error message they should put a number, so that I could report to the forum that I got error message 23, what does this mean?
b) It sure would be nice if I could save a screen shot of the entire screen with the error message, where it would be saved as a JPEG, so I could post that directly on the forum. It would help people figure out what is going on. I can use Windows old shift/print screen, but that only allows me to paste the screen shot into a Word document, which doesn't up load here. Maybe someone can tell me how I could do this.

Brady, thanks! Your message told me that effectively I can't do what I want to do. It would be very useful to not only be able to:
a) mix tool-path previews with model images simultaneously on the same screen in their correct physical relationship, but also to
b) be able to superimpose the model image directly on top of the tool-path simulation.

I encountered more hours of head scratching over not being able create a tool path from my Aspire created 3d model. I went and modeled the same profile along a straight line (using a two rail sweep), and could tool path that. But when I used the two rail sweep to make the same profile along the Gothic arch, I couldn't create a tool path.

So, instead of using my custom curve on the edge of the molding, I will fall back to the less powerful approximation that can be made with carving a simple path with a ball nose endmill, meaning my fancy curve will instead be a simple quadrant of a circle. But having the option b above would at least have helped me in making the best approximation that I could have with my work-around.

Thanks again, Chuck

[Brady Watson]

Chuck,
The problem most likely lies with the vector(s) used as the machining boundary. Take a look at them in node editing mode with a critical eye and fine tooth comb. Also, fool around with your tool stepover percentage. Bring it up or down a few points and see if that changes anything. If you want, you can send me the file and I will take a look at what is going on. When you email it, tell me the exact tool parameters you are using, so I can duplicate them here.

-B

[bleeth]

You should be able to paste the screen shot into Microsoft Paint also and save that as a jpg. Just open Paint and hit paste.

[Chuck Keysor]

Dave, thanks for the tip on using Paint to convert my screen capture into a JPEG image! I have attached test. This will make it easier for me in the future to communicate my questions with greater clarity. Thanks!

Brady, thank you for your generous offer to examine my Aspire 3D model. By readjusting my design slightly, I have been able to get a pretty good cove detail using a much simpler profile toolpath. (The pictured part will be flipped over and be carved on both sides, so there will be a cove molding on both sides of the design. IE the cove molding won't look so clunky.) Perhaps I am putting off wrestling with my 3D model creation. I will no doubt get back to this issue in an upcoming project.

By the way, maybe two months ago, I had expressed frustration over my inability to create this same design in Rhino. With the exception of my problem in using Aspire to create a 3D model of the cove molding detail, this was much easier to use than Rhino. I did export an STL model of the Aspire created arch and imported it into Rhino. (Though all the triangles I got with my first pass kept this part from blending into my Rhino model..... That was problematic, as the fact that it didn't visually blend in with the other rendered part, made it hard for me to look at my over-all design for making a good evaluation.)

Thank you again, Chuck

[Mayo]

I haven't used Aspire enough to answer those questions with confidence but my first thought was using layers - but I wasn't sure if layers only applies to 2D.

What I am sure about though, is the best screen capture program I have used (and it's freeware too!) is called MWSnap.
http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html