Import a Component or 3D Model
This command opens the File Open dialog window, allowing existing Aspire for ALPHACAM files (CRV3D extension) and importable 3rd party 3D files to be selected and opened. If you select a 3rd party 3D model format, the Orientate Model form will open (see below) to allow you to manipulate the 3D model before it is converted into a Component.
CRV3D | 3D data from files previously created and saved in Aspire for ALPHACAM will be opened and a new single Component Created (from all the visible 3D Components in the file when it was saved). The new Component will have the same name as the file. This will be imported at the size and position the part was saved in the original file. |
3DCLIP | 3D Clipart files are exported from Aspire for ALPHACAM. This format maintains the component structure of clipart pieces at the time of saving, so will import all the components comprising the clipart piece. This will be imported at the size and position the part was saved in the original file. |
V3M | V3M is a proprietary file format developed by Vectric for Vector Art 3D and Design and Make. Files in this format can be purchased from www.vectorart3d.com and www.designandmake.com and when imported into Aspire for ALPHACAM will create a new Component with the same name as the file. This will be imported at the size and position the part was saved in the original file. |
STL | This is a standard format for complex 3D models, based on a triangular mesh. STL files can be exported from many 3D design software programs such as Rhino. These models can be completely 3 dimensional (i.e. have a front, back, etc.), this means that when this type of file is opened that it must first be sized and oriented before a Component can be created (Aspire for ALPHACAM only represents base-relief so cannot work with a completely 3D object). Once the file becomes a Component it will have the same name as the original STL file. This file type will need to be imported using the Orientate 3D ModelAspire for ALPHACAM. |
DXF | 3D DXF files from AutoCAD and many other CAD orientated modeling packages, these must be 3D meshes and not just wireframe data of the models vertices. This file type will need to be imported using the Orientate 3D ModelAspire for ALPHACAM. |
3DS | A native format from 3D Studio Max and many other animation orientated modeling packages. This file type will need to be imported using the Orientate 3D ModelAspire for ALPHACAM. |
OBJ | A native format from Wavefront and many other animation orientated modeling packages. This file type will need to be imported using the Orientate 3D ModelAspire for ALPHACAM. |
SKP | A native format from the SketchUp modeling package. This file type will need to be imported using the Orientate 3D ModelAspire for ALPHACAM. |
Note
If you wish to read data from a 3D digitizer or scanning device then STL is typically the best format that should be used to import the data. Many software packages that work with a scanner offer an STL export option, if not then a third party software program may be required to convert the data to an STL model.
Importing a 3D Model (STL, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, ...)
When one of these formats are chosen for 3D file Import, the imported model needs to be oriented and scaled before it can become a Component. A special import window is opened and a set of orientation/scaling tools enabled. Depending on the job type, import window will be different: