[Oscar36]

I have been sucked into 3d printing for the last few months and really haven't been doing a whole lot of cnc patterns. Now that I have a pretty good handle on how to make 3d print models its time to go back to cnc and forget everything I just learned. I think that is how hobby skills are supposed to work.

I thought a cool steam engine would make a good cnc pattern.

What are your favorite steam engines?

If I like one I'll model and share the pattern as a grey scale height map model.

 

[Oscar36]

Tom, or anyone,

Do you happen to know what model of steam engines they were? I am not knowledgeable on the specifics of the engines so will have to use reference images to model them.

They are super cool.

Regards,
O

 

[Oscar36]

Edit: deleted old post because I think I completely misread the previous replies. Sorry about that.

I'll see what I can research. The Promintory Point incident looks like it involved some 1860's 4-4-0 engines. I'll try to figure out what the line art trains are.

Thanks all for the inputs.

O

 

[Oscar36]

Gents,

Didn't get far on my research. One of the first locomotives that popped up was a Green Arrow train. I thought it looked super cool so started modeling it. After I finish this one I'll keep looking for those models.

I am about 50% done on this one.

 

[Oscar36]

I just clued in on why I was confused yesterday and its my fault for not clearly explaining what I was asking for. I don't do 2d patterns. I make 3d models that I either project onto a plane or use grey scale height map techniques to make the 2.5d cnc patterns. You can make decent 3d models from 2d line art but I am not very good at it.

So the reason I was asking for for specific model is because I needed to find schematics/blueprints or really good pictures I can use for reference to make 3d models with.

Thanks for your patience. lol

 

[Oscar36]

First one done. Really happy with the model.

Green Arrow locomotive. An artistic render since I don't think anything actually matches up with a real one.

 

[Oscar36]

Second model coming along slowly.

 

[Oscar36]

Artistic rendering of a Jupiter locomotive.

 

[Oscar36]

Only for folks new to cnc.

Grey scale height maps are another format for 2.5d patterns. The pixel location gives the x,y coordinates and the grey scale provides the z height data.

A few cnc programs can natively interpret the images to 3d, e.g. Aspire, Carvewright Designer, Fusion 360 (w/addon). Most 3d modeling programs can convert the images to 3d, e.g. Blender3d, Maya, Zbrush, etc. There are several websites that will do it online for free but they downgrade the STL quality in the attempt to up charge for a paid version, but sometimes you get lucky and get something useable.

If your cnc program does not have the capability to convert the images, for example like VCarve, I would recommend using Blender3d since its free.

 

[Oscar36]

Tom,

Thanks for the suggestions. This was a fun exercise/practice session. Now to cycle to another hobby.