Really confused in "probing"

[kubotaman]

Okay, first I am new to this so I have some "dumb" questions. I can get my probe to make a file with no problem. I have the question as to what kind of file I want to make, an SBP file, DXF point file or a polyline file. The SBP apprenetely doesn't let me change any of the file as far as changes. I get that one to work but when I cut it the quality is super poor but it probably is because I didn't let the probe "probe" close enough. I go to make a polyline file and the ShopBot program says it made it. I then convert it by way of the ShopBot software and try to open it in Aspire. When I try to open the "Polyline" in Aspire the screen is totally blank! What have I done wrong? When I convert the original file to make it a Bitmap, I import it in Aspire it is so small you can't see the image at all. I thought the screen was blank until I "super zoomed" the screen. Again what have I done wrong. Hope someone can help, this is frustrating!!!!!

[ssflyer]

Hi Daryl, and welcome!

There are no "dumb" questions, and this is an area which could probably use better documentation.

To import into Aspire for further manipulation, save as an .sbp file. Then in the ShopBot Control software, go to "Tools|Probe to Surface Translator" (TB) This will allow you to convert the .sbp file to a DXF surface, which can be imported properly into Aspire. If you try the "File|file Conversion" tool, it will not create a DXF surface file, which Aspire requires.

Hope this helps,
Ron

[kubotaman]

Ron, I will try it, hope it works! Where is anything about this documented?? I have looked and unless you are a real "Geek" with computers some of this information is not to be found. At least with me! Say I just moved from Sacramento a year ago. I guess Calif. is still broke, huh?

[ssflyer]

Daryl,

Yep, California is still broke, and getting more so every day...

I may be mistaken here, but I believe that the dxf import was added to Aspire version 2, so it may not be fully documented in the included help file, but on the Vectric site, it states that Aspire will import 3D mesh files. Unfortunately, there are several flavors of dxf files, and Aspire requires surfaces to work with, not point clouds, etc...

The easiest place I've found when I have questions are here and the Vectric forums - both offer unrivaled support!

Ron