SVG 3D toolpath

[greens83 5]

Hello utlilegends, I'm trying to find a way to design my own toolpaths using a 3d modelled spline. I tried to use the SVG toolpath reader which seems to be restricted to 2D. Im not sure if SVG files are inherently 2D, I did seem to be able to convert a 3d spline into a svg file via illustrator.

 

Does anyone know if this is technically possible? Id like to take a spline modelled in 3ds max and have cura create a 3d toolpath following the spline. Extrusion can be a constant.

 

Any input or ideas appreciated.

[Slashee_the_Cow 271]

SVG files are inherently 2D. There's no way to put Z coordinates in them.

 

You can import the spline into a CAD program (all of them have a bit of a learning curve) like FreeCAD and extrude it in that (it's not too hard, there's probably tutorials) and then export as an STL from that.

 

Cura can generate toolpaths from SVG files but but they're strictly toolpaths, you can't print them.

 

I am curious to see your 3D spline from Illustrator as an SVG file though.

[greens83 5]

Hi @Slashee_the_Cow. Thanks for the reply. I suspected svg could not include z co-ordinates. It gave me hope when 3ds max exported as .ai and then illustrator exported as svg. The spline wasn't visible in illustrator but it did show up in the layer preview, so it was there. I guess it just flattens it.

 

I did try to turn the spline into a surface by extruding, I have had success doing this in the past and using the surface mode in cura to create a print path. However it only works in 2d/ planar sliced terms. I actually want the toolpath to basically be helical. like spiralise. I cant just use spiralise though, I'm basically trying to do a non planar hack. I know the printer could do it, I just cant find a way to get the printhead to follow the path I want it too.

 

Any other ideas/theories on how to turn a 3d spline into a toolpath would be appreciated!

 

 

[Slashee_the_Cow 271]

Can you upload the file with the 3D spline (it's probably not in a format the forum will let you upload directly, just put it in a zip file) so I can see what I can do with it?

[greens83 5]

Sure no problem, there's .ai svg and dxf in the attached. 

Test Spline2Toolpath.zip