Im 3D modeling F1 tracks with semi accurate elevation but since its based on an almost 1:1 scale i would like to find a way on scaling but controlling the thickness. ( imagine printing at 1:1 )
I can just reduce the scale before modeling but since i plan on making this at different scale and materials i would like to be able to control this.
Not sure if its even possible, any suggestions appreciated
Not quite sure what you’re asking: do you want to have your vertical scale exaggerated? Almost any 3D modelling software or slicer should allow you to scale (“stretch”) the model along the Z-axis independently of the X- and Y-axes.
use oSCAD - the minkowski tool can controle thickness but may take ages to calculate. There are probably other 3D Tools working faster. Also why not creating that track directly in the size you need. I would assume you scale Z (elevation) independently. You could just generate a height map. Not sure which approach suits you.
Ah! Gotcha - an accurate track width would give you too thin a wall for printing. You (probably?) can’t do that in your slicer, but again, 3D modelling software should allow that - the “shell” command in OnShape, for example.
S3D has the “horizontal size compensation” feature to make walls thicker in XY across the whole model. For a CNC mill, just tell it an oversized cutter diameter so it offsets the kerf. (Will probably mess with the elevation contours a little but you can probably cut that with a second setup.)
So you didn’t created the model. Well I would load the model in any 3D tool (eg. blender)… select the inner vertices and scale them - so the walls become thicker. (probably need some manual tweak too)
You could model it as a zero width wall and use any 3d modelling program with a “thickness” modifier, i.e. blender, meshmixer (I think).
You can see an example of what I mean in blender by adding a plane, then add the “solidify” modifier. You can then specify how much thickness to give it.
Interested to see what you come up with. I want to do a similar project. But I want to take GPS way point data and vehicle speed to make a 3d model. GPS is the path and the Z scaled by the speed of the vehicle. So a 3d model of the actual lap. Been looking at GPS export files and openscad programming.
If you create this - my approach would be using a path (with xyz dimensions) and extrude the Track"s cross-section along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvzNR6Y4q1w You also can use a technique called lofting where you can change that cross-section while extruding.
@Gary_Hangsleben if you have the vertices of your lap, you create an array with those in oSCAD take the Track cross-section you want and move it to these vertices while using the “hull()” command to interconect each pair or more professional you create a polyhedron from the points. (here is probably something like that https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:186660 )