Hi Jelle, I haven't used pythonOCC for much other than experimenting yet. I hope to remedy that very soon. I have been using python more and more at work as an additional tool in my arsenal of CADCAM tricks. Whenever I see a method that looks interesting, I make a note of it and file it for future use. Forgive long winded rambling here: At work, I use a combination of open source and proprietary methods, because I have to-for the time being. We use Ashlar Graphite as our main 2D drafting program, Ashlar Cobalt for 3d modelling, and Viacad for 3d modelling. For modelling, I find that python has helped me a lot. Cobalt and Viacad/Shark FX(owned by Punch Software) etc were all originally programmed by the same guy and share a lot of common features. I found out that Cobalt doesn't have scripting ability, but will import in 'Mechsoft Part' files. These files are text files that describe CSG operations that comprise of primitive solids, extruded profiles etc that can be used to create pretty sophisticated parts. Shark FX will accept the same files as 'macro files'. So, I have set up some python routines to help me generate these text files quickly, such that I can use them for generating some parts that are milled out of solid steel and used on bike frames. If I need to change a feature, such as a profile- it's a simple job to simply import in a new DXF and regenerate the part. Changing the size of a hole is simple. I can simulate toolpaths for a milling machine in a crude (static- not animated) way. One might ask me why I don't use the features built in to the commercial modellers for this- my answer is because 1. These commercial programs tend to crash a lot when changing the history of a part. 2. Sometimes, even if the program doesn't crash, it won't/can't change the history tree like I need it to. 3. I would like to move to a complete open source solution someday. Hence my interest in pythonOCC- I know that we could do exactly what I am doing now with it.
Thanks, Dan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 2/11/10 11:29 PM, Jelle Feringa wrote: Ah, its really a gorgeous routine the libarea thing! I didn't know you were into CNC milling Dan. Did your plan to generate workshop drawing with pyOCC work out? Have you been doing work related to fabrication with pyOCC? Forgive me my curiosity ;') Best, -jelle _______________________________________________ Pythonocc-users mailing list Pythonocc-users@gna.org https://mail.gna.org/listinfo/pythonocc-users
