ADDING TEXTURED PATTERN

[toycept]

Is there a function for adding a textured pattern to a part, such as adding a Mold-Tech pattern. I'm not just talking about a visual texture as provided by the SW textures... I'm referring to adding a real (physical) texture... I know at one time there was talk of adding a mold tech functionality.......

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

As far as I know, the only way would be to use the regular feature tools.

 

[dgowans]

Why would you want to do this - rapid prototype? Most RP techniques won't have the resolution needed to obtain a texture, but I seem to remember you mentioning getting a prototype from a Polyjet machine, which might be able to give you your desired texture.

Adding a physical texture to a model will be a HUGE resource hog.

 

[toycept]

Thanks both for the follow up.

dgowans... yes I realize the file size would be fairly large....but the client has requested the addition of a textured pattern. It would be great to be able to "map" a textured pattern over a surface, without having to build it in a labor -time intensive activity.

Thanks.

 

[dgowans]

If I were you I'd try to convince your client (politely, of course) that adding a physical texture to a CAD model is a colossal waste of resources. If this fails, I hope you're getting paid well to do this.

For your sake I hope you don't have to go this route, and if you do I hope you just need to texture a planar surface.......

 

[rockguy]

I used to work with a pattern maker to produce patterns for cast iron parts. He would CNC the part from our CAD (SolidWorks) files which would give him the part with smooth surfaces. The areas that required texture he would litteraly apply wall paper too. He had all sorts of finish patterns he had purchased and they were on a sheet just the wall paper you buy for your house. He'd cut the sheet to size, apply the glue an stick it onto the part surfaces. It worked very well.

No one would ever want to model a texure (depending on what it is) in the CAD file, it's the mold or pattern makers responsability to add it too the mold. My monitor has a textured finish and I wouldn't even know where to begin to model it. I'm not even sure it would be possible.

Rob Rodriguez CSWP

http://www.axiscadsolutions.com

http://www.robrodriguez.com

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/rob_rodriguez/

President:

http://www.nvtswug.com

SW 2007 SP 2.0

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

The simplest way (I think) would be to create a surface from a 3D scan of material which has the texture you want to replicate. Then import and use that surface to cut from (or add to) the model.