First, I know I know not from where I speak, but please correct me: g-code - basically a tool path file. this I understand. postscript - basically a page layout using vectors, and some shapes. stl - a real 3D file that can be used to define solids but as triangles.
I have been reading the REPRAP mail list, and they spent quite some time in writing a program that will close the triangles from stl files to make a solid contiguous set of lines. I think they mainly use AOI to do their stuff. They have programs that then takes STL files and generates a rasterized 'tool path' that then drives their '3-d lithographic' process [yes, it is not real 3-D lithography, but it uses the same thought process]. I am not sure how [EMAIL PROTECTED] does it, but they do roughtly the same thing as REPRAP.org Please point out where I am all wet? Quoting Stephen Wille Padnos <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Hi there. > > I think STL is fine for a lot of work, but it really isn't the best > solution. STL is a "rasterized" file format, which contains only > "blocky" shape information. This is as opposed to a vector format, > which may be scaled or, in the case of machining, can be cut with the > precision of the machine. This is like the difference between PhotoShop > and Corel Draw. If I rasterize something for my crappy 9-pin Panasonic > dot-matrix printer and email that to you, you can't get any better > resolution with your whiz-bang 2400DPI Linotype. If I send you a file > that says "draw a line from 1,1 to 2,2", then you'll get much better > results on the Linotype. > > STL works, and I use it, but it's not ideal. G-code is better for > describing machining geometry, but also suffers because it doesn't have > the shape information. (it has paths but not shape, STL has shape but > not paths, and is raster) > > At this point, I don't think there's a perfect solution. > - Steve > > Roland Jollivet wrote: > >> Hi, just a comment.. >> >> I get the impression that in industry .stl files are dismissed as 'for >> prototyping' . >> When I worked on a small cnc mill, however, .stl files were the easiest to >> generate and move between programs. Also, for cutting fine detail on small >> parts, I was using a 1mm bit with a 10u stepover. Repeatedly, the machining >> scallop marks were visible before the 'triangles' were. >> Admittedly, .stl files are a bit large compared to .iges, but who cares, >> we're not limited to 640K anymore.(sarcasm) >> >> So I think .stl are perfect for machining with. Any comments? >> >> Regards >> Roland Jollivet >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT >> Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your >> opinions on IT & business topics through brief surveys - and earn cash >> http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.php&p=sourceforge&CID=DEVDEV >> _______________________________________________ >> Emc-users mailing list >> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users >> >> >> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT > Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your > opinions on IT & business topics through brief surveys - and earn cash > http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.php&p=sourceforge&CID=DEVDEV > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > -- Fax 1-630-214-5954 http://www.drbackup.net?pid=coats by Dr.Backup safeguards your valuable documents with an automatic nightly backup over the Internet. FREE trial A man who tells the truth, has to remember nothing. -- Mark Twain "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), reply of the Pennsylvania Assembly to the Governor, November 11, 1755 "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - ), "Profiles of The Future", 1961 (Clarke's third law) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your opinions on IT & business topics through brief surveys - and earn cash http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.php&p=sourceforge&CID=DEVDEV _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
