Polygon Object Explode for DXF Export (PoofDe)
- Project Type: Geometry, GUI & Exports
- Seeking Blender Developer who is experienced with Geometry, GUI and Exports.
- Project Description: Write Add-On that will take a given polygonal object, ‘explode’ its faces, lay them on a plane and export them via dxf to a CnC plasma cutter. Need an experienced programmer for this and willing to pay for its development. I’m happy to pay a rate commensurate with 5+ years of development experience working with the Geometry and Export systems of Blender. The outline for this tool follows in the Overview below. You need to have working Add-ons with a track record of positive reviews.
- Deadline: Ideally by August 2023.
- Budget: we will have to determine this together. Minimum of $3,000+ (guesstimating 100 hours @ $30), it needs to be fair compensation for your skills let me know what is actually appropriate. One variable: is it a tool just for me or do you want to sell it afterward? You will need to let me know your thoughts on the matter as well as reasonable development costs based on the following project description.
The full overview:
I am going to build my next generation of work in metal, wood, plexiglass & glass. This will go on for many years and with different scales - from small to monumental - so it’s important to get the tool right at the outset.
Examples of the series to date can be seen on my website, www.mattelson.com
Plexiglass examples are here: https://www.mattelson.com/album/1d21du/photo/39920293
and here: https://www.mattelson.com/album/f7ce1h
CnC versions in wood are here: https://www.mattelson.com/album/1d21du/photo/47995201
It’s been my pleasure to work with many amazing developers over the decades and I hope to find some collaborations in the Blender Community which I’m hugely impressed with. On that note…
I’m happy to hire a developer for this if someone is interested and I’ll also putting these initial specs out for community thoughts / development. I’m new to this forum so please guide me if this post is better made elsewhere.
Respect.
Matt Elson
Overview
This is intended to be a generalized tool to take Blender polygon forms and feed their faces into specific cutting applications. Data needs to carry through into the output file format to drive the type of machine (or maybe tuned to specific machine(s)?). There will be times when the same layout would be used to cut different materials (Eg. Metal is cut, then the same forms would cut plexiglass for them to join later in assembly. or different woods might be cut and joined with beautiful clean edges…)
Project Specs
This project would feed:
A. CNC routers (mostly wood)
B. Laser cutters (plexiglass, thin woods mostly, metals)
C. Plasma Cutter (metal)
D. Waterjet Cutter (glass and glass mirror)
Definitions
Source Object - this is the ‘original’ form built in Geometry. In V1 it’s intended to be polygonal only.
Exploded Faces - polygons from the Source Object that will be cut in wood, metal, glass or plexiglass.
Receiver Plane - Exploded Faces are oriented onto the receiver plane so that they lay flat in that plane. If rotated or moved they remain flat in the Receiver Plane.
Material Sheet - plywood sheets, plexiglass sheets, metal sheets, glass lites are all examples of the final material to be cut.
CnC - Computer Numerically Controlled
Holes - Vector holes applied in the Exploded Faces.
Vector Shapes - Can be applied in the Receiver plane to Exploded Faces (v1). In V2, vector shapes can be applied to the polygonal form while remaining in the planar space of the Source Object.
Text - Mostly used for tagging specific cut parts for making later assembly easier. Text assigned to faces on the Source Object apply to the Exploded Faces in the Receiver Plane and visa versa, text applied to Exploded Faces it the Receiver Plane appear on the correct face on the Source Object. Text must be searchable to easily find a face by name.
Tabs - small areas along an edge that will NOT be cut so that the Exploded Face remains attached to the material sheet and does not move during the cutting process. Tabs are cut away at the conclusion of the cutting process to release the Exploded Face. Mostly used with router bits cutting plywood.
Desired Outputs
A. Wood, plywood mostly
B. Plexiglass, 3/16" and 1/2" thick mostly
C. Metal, ah so many to choose from…
D. Waterjet, glass and glass mirror
Functionalities
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the Source Object needs to be POLYGONAL (at least in V1)
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Exploded faces need to be internally flat (triangulation is not the primary goal as the face shapes have aesthetic meaning).
2a. Exploded Faces need to orient themselves on the Receiver Plane either “UP” or “DOWN” according to their normal (normal points UP). By default, faces are oriented DOWN so that text can be easily applied and inscribed at the time of cutting (UP/DOWN should be a toggle).
- Selected faces need to be copied from the source object, then each face needs to be “exploded” and automatically oriented into a given plane. Ideally they would place themselves onto the Receiver Plane so they use the space optimally. The Receiver Plane should stand off from the Source Object for easy access, alternately the Receiver Plane could appear in a separate window if that is less complicated.
3a. The Receiver Plane (this all could use more interesting naming :), is similar to an Adobe Illustrator Art Board, will receive the faces and lay them out in an optimized manner. This receiver shape is a variable (eg. 4’x8’x.75" for plywood or with sheet sizes and gauges for metal: https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/sheet-metal-gauge-chart/ or plexiglass sizes). The Receiver Plane would be the size of the plexiglass sheet, metal plate or plywood that would later be cut. Default spacing specifications for the distance between the shapes should be a variable. The variable is needed for the type of cutting being made (a router bit differs from a plasma torch). Once dropped on by default the shapes can be reoriented by moving and rotating IN THE PLANE.
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Exploded Faces can be labeled with text during the cutting process for later identification. Ideally on the ‘down’ side (opposite of the normal side). Specifying the inscription depth is another variable. The inscriptions can also be used for decoration by feeding in a Black/White map into the channel (v2). Once text is assigned to a shape it will travel with it if moved or rotated within the Receiver Plane.
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Exploded Faces need to maintain a relationship to the source object. Eg. Select a face on the source object and the copied face will highlight; conversely, select a face in the Receiver Plane and the corresponding face on the Source Object will highlight.
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Edges of the faces need to hold knowledge of what they will be cut with/ how they will be cut. Eg. With a plywood sheet some edges might be cut with a 3/16" bit to define a straight cut, others might be cut with a V-groove or other bits. Edges need to be a plain source color then coded as per type (and or other demarcation).
6a. Line Types - the edges of the Exploded Face - need to be preserved in cutting, clarification of cutting “inside the form” or “outside the form” is essential, especially for joining materials later into final sculptures.
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Holes are essential. CNC router bits would drop into the center of the designated spot if sized to the bit but may also need to route out a larger hole. Laser cutting requires size specification that is best done with vector lines for clean finishes (holes in my plexiglass work can often be 1/16" and there are many of them). Plasma cutting has its own tolerances that can vary with type and thickness of the metal. Holes applied to an Exploded Face travel with that face when it is rotated or moved in the Receiver Plane (as does text applied to an Exploded Face).
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Color Coding is essential for specifying relationships
A. Between the Source Object and the Exploded Faces
B. How edges are to be cut.
C. Could define Output Material Type: Wood, plexiglass, metal
D. to show TABS
- Tabs - keep an Exploded Face attached to the material sheet so it does not slide during the cutting process. Should be easily identifiable onscreen and disrupt the cutting of a line in the CnC process while not actually effecting the line of the Exploded Face. Ie. tabs can be moved and rearranged at any time.
Conclusion
These are initial thoughts on a tool set that will allow an export interface from Blender Polygon meshes to CnC machines in wood, plexiglass, metal & glass (waterjet).