Making a low poly cuttable file.

[Jb_engineering]

Hi guys, has anybody had any experience with creating low poly files, from an image, into a cuttable file. I have seen videos of it being done on an app named blender. Just wondering if anybody has any alternatives?
Thanks.

[Jb_engineering]

So would need to make it 3d like the pic. And then be able to break apart 2d so can be cut.

[adbuch]

If I am understanding you correctly, you are looking for a technique for "reverse engineering" something like you show in the photo. What exactly is a "low poly" file?

David

[adbuch]

Yes - you would most likely need the 3D model to start with. Step file or STL file would be preferred. I like the Step files since they contain all of the dimensional information. Was that file you purchased supplied in any of the 3D formats, or only as "flat" 2D vector files?

David

David

[adbuch]

I'm not sure how you could create a 3D model from a single photo like the one you show. If you had multiple photos from different sides - say right, left, top, bottom, front, back - then that would go a long way towards providing sufficient information to help creating the 3D model.

David

[adbuch]

Chris - here is a video showing Blender to create what I would call 2.5 D models from a 2D image. I would say this is basically extruding some of the features and possibly rounding/shaping the top surfaces of the extruded features. This could be accomplished using Fusion 360 as well.

For the horse sample image you showed, I think you would need to have several different 2D views to start with, and then combine the results of the 2.5 D conversion to achieve a true 3D solid model.

David

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uir0bqUJbDI

[adbuch]

Chris - by the way - once you do have the "low poly" or equivalent 3D model, it is fairly simple to project each of the flat faces onto a sketch and save as dxf using Fusion 360. I think I have created several examples in the past showing the process.

Here is a slide show I created a while ago, and the last part shows the step-by-step process for projecting solid body faces onto a sketch plane and then exporting the sketch as a dxf file.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3W8BQwhWXQNbazFW7

David

[Jb_engineering]

Thanks david. Ive seen videos using a stl model and converting it. Low poly is the geometric model look. Its something id like to get into as some files cost alot of $. But need to find a software that i can design it on, and then make it into a 2d image.

[adbuch]

You will need to create your solid model first. I don't know of any method (ai program, etc.) that will automatically convert the image you posted above to a 3D model and/or 2D dxf file for cutting. I think you would really need to construct the solid model first. Once you have done that, then it's "downhill" from there.

David

[adbuch]

Chris - are you wanting to do something like this?

Or are you wanting to do something like this?

The first image above is could be created using the Fusion 360 slicing technique I showed earlier.
The second image would require you to build a solid model (you could do this with Fusion 360) and then project each facet onto a sketch plane to export as dxf.

Which technique are you actually looking for?

David

[Jb_engineering]

Like the 2nd pic is my aim. Do you think thats possible on fusion?

[adbuch]

Like the 2nd pic is my aim. Do you think thats possible on fusion?

Yes - I think it is possible. I'm no expert with Fusion 360, and I'm sure there are other more advanced methods to do this using Fusion 360.
But here is one approach that could work for you. You would need the basic idea of what you want (maybe a simple 3D hand sketch with paper and pencil) and then try to replicate your 3D drawing using the Fusion 360 tool set.

David

[adbuch]

[adbuch]

You could also create an actual 3D wireframe from thin metal rods (like an artist might do). Sort of like a 3D wire sculpture. The take some measurements for each individual flat part, cnc plasma cut, and weld them together.

David

[adbuch]

If you can find an stl for a solid model you like, then you could import it to Fusion 360, convert to solid body, and use offset planes to slice off portions of the model to create all flat faces (facets) and then proceed to project each individual facet onto a sketch and export as dxf.

Lots of different ways to go here - depending on you desires, skill sets, and level of patience.

David

[Jb_engineering]

Thanks david. Ive not used fusion before, dont even have it . I need to look into getting it and having a play.

[plasmanewbie]

I am curious to see how you make out with this. Fusion is free to start with and you could begin playing right away. I have some experience with it but not as versed as David and certainly don't know how to achieve what you are looking to do however I am sure it can be done. Download the free version here https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusio ... on&plc=FSN

[adbuch]

Plasmanewbie - what you are referring to is the 30 day trial version, which after 30 days would expire unless you agree to pay the monthly or annual subscription fee of around $50/month or $600/year last time I checked, and depending on any special offers Autodesk might have running.

I am using Fusion 360 Personal (non-commercial version). Here is the download page.

https://www.autodesk.com/ca-en/products ... 0/personal

David

[adbuch]

Hi david. Ive attached an image. Do you think i could open this file in fusion and then somehow extrude it to be a 2d image that i cut then cut out? Im new to the software and dont know what it is capable of. But i have found a site that has images like this.
Thankyou for all your info so far.

Screenshot_20250306_164136_Samsung Internet.jpg (20.04 KiB) Viewed 2193 times

Screenshot_20250306_164136_Samsung Internet.jpg (20.04 KiB) Viewed 2193 times

Yes Chris - the .obj file associated with this photo and available for free download from the site you mention can be uploaded to Fusion 360, converted from mesh to solid body, and then converted to 2D dxf files (one dxf file per facet).

David

[adbuch]

Here is the site with the 3d model you are asking about.

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/cat-764 ... d8b181a70d

Here are some screen shots showing a process you can use to accomplish your goal of creating dxf files for each flat facet of the 3D model you have shown in your screen shot photo above. These particular cats have may individual facets each - I would guess maybe several hundred per cat. So this will be a time consuming repetitious project.

That same site has other 3D cats you can download (some are free, some you can purchase) and perhaps you can find one with fewer facets to practice with.

Good luck!

David

sketchfab 3.jpg (110.65 KiB) Viewed 2190 times

sketchfab 3.jpg (110.65 KiB) Viewed 2190 times

[adbuch]

[adbuch]

sketchfab 17.jpg (87.03 KiB) Viewed 2188 times

sketchfab 17.jpg (87.03 KiB) Viewed 2188 times

[adbuch]

Here it the link to my Google Drive slide show containing all of the screen shots shown above.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GyjVErqac578pQDA6

David

[plasmanewbie]

Plasmanewbie - what you are referring to is the 30 day trial version, which after 30 days would expire unless you agree to pay the monthly or annual subscription fee of around $50/month or $600/year last time I checked, and depending on any special offers Autodesk might have running.

I am using Fusion 360 Personal (non-commercial version). Here is the download page.

https://www.autodesk.com/ca-en/products ... 0/personal

f360 for personal use.jpg

David

Thanks David, that is what I wanted to send him but didn't pay enough attention

[plasmanewbie]

Had a look at your process David and that is pretty cool, hopefully it works for him.