Cubify Invent - Tutorial #4: Planar Surfaces and Tangent Planes

One of the problems that we face when creating tutorials as we learn a product is that we can miss some things resulting in misleading information.  I'm guilty of doing just that.I had previous thought that we were limited to creating our 2D sketches on planes.  Happily, that turns out not to be the case.  We can also create 2D sketches on any flat surface of a 3D object.  These flat surfaces are called PLANAR SURFACES.In this tutorial we continue exploring the surfaces on which we can sketch by looking at planar surfaces and...

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Cubify Invent - Introducing Creating Planes

I can already see that Cubify Invent is one of those programs that is hard to learn; but, easy to use once you grasp the concepts.  I find myself reading the Help file, thinking I am following the steps just as they are written, only to fail.  Then after a few minutes of consternation, it dawns on me what I am missing and then it all looks so simple!One thing that is completely different about Cubify Invent from my current experience with Moment of Inspiration is Invent's complete reliance on 2D sketches drawn on planes to create 3D features. ...

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A Great Reason to Invest in Cubify Invent

The actual cost of adopting a new piece of software is rarely limited to the purchase price.  We usually have to invest a good deal of time and effort before we master the application.  So, I choose those products into which I will have to invest that time very, very carefully.Moment of Inspiration was one of the products that has ended up being a fantastic investment.  Every minute spent in mastering it has returned an equal amount of time saved in creating 3D objects.  It has been a great investment.So, I am very reluctant...

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Cubify Invent Tutorial #1

I've decided to use the time while my Cube is being loaned out to a museum to take a hard look at the new Cubify Invent CAD software.  And, I'll be sharing what I'm learning with you.I'm a firm believer that ignorance is a benefit when it comes to creating tutorials to be used by other new users.  Experts often bypass what was helpful to them as they learned the product for the first time.  I like to create tutorials while my struggles are fresh in my mind, knowing that other will be going through those same struggles.Keep it simple.Tutorials...

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Alternative Racks now on Cubify Store

I finally uploaded the alternative rack designs into the Cubify Store.Either design is, I believe, stronger than the original Cartridge Rack and there are improvements in the filament hold down clips.The design goals of both versions was to minimize the amount of filament required while still retaining strength,  Having used both for some time now, I think they achieved their design goals.  The filament hold down clips have also been improved to provide a tighter grip. The first of the alternative designs provides greater strength by...

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Explaining the short Lull in Posts

Last week I was away on vacation.  The week before, I'd loaned my Cube to Peyton Duncan, who brilliantly used it.This week, the Cube is visiting the Hagley Museum in Wilmington, DE.  I will be writing more about Hagley in the near future.  It's a wonderful place.In the meantime, I am printing with my RapMan 3.2 to test designs for the Cube.  And, I'll have some observations about what it takes to get layer-to-layer print accuracy with a 3D printer... something the Cube doesn't have any issues so far.  :)UPDATE: My contact...

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Shaping the Filament Tip for Loading

It is relatively important to shape the tip of the filament correctly before loading in any 3D printer.  The filament for the Cube is no exception.  Mike asked how I do this.  So, I thought I would mention several ways one can shape the tip correctly.Since I'd had a 3D printer before the Cube, I'd already found ways to shape the end of filament using several different tools.Flush CuttersA micro flush cutter is a small cutting tool...

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A Tool to Clear Clogged PrintJets

Scour the hobbyists and consumer 3D printer sites and blogs and you will see that sooner or later most, if not all, 3D extrusion printers will clog for one reason or another.  It comes with the territory.As more and more 3D printer manufacturers use pre-built hot ends, it becomes less effective to tear a hot end apart to clear the clog.  The Cube falls into this category... as does the much more expensive ($17,000-$22,000) HP 3D printer. ...

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Connecting the Cube

WIRELESS - Ad-Hoc Option  Because I prefer to use the Cube with the memory stick, I had not tested the WiFi connection.I have not been able to connect via WPS as yet.But, I was able to connect via the "Ad-Hoc" connection option.  The trick is to turn on the Cube and search for the Cube on the computer's available wireless choices BEFORE starting the Cubify Client.The manual actually points this out; but, I thought it important to re-confirm the order.Frankly, since the Cube requires a response via the touch screen before beginning the...

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Saving Filament While Keeping Strength

Earlier, we posted an article about creating a rack to hold Cube cartridges.Cube Rack - Initial DesignOne of the design goals was to reduce the amount of filament required to print the rack.  The design worked very well.  But, it wasn't quite as strong as it could be.  So, a second design goal was added... maximum strength.We came up with two more designs for the Cube Rack that met the need for saving filament using holes in the rack...

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A ZBrush Expert Tests the Cube

One of the smartest things I've ever done in my life was to use my nephew, Peyton Duncan, in the early 1980's to test our video games for Astrocade's Bally Professional Arcade.  Not only was he terrific at finding issues with the games; but, he was also terrific at suggesting game play improvements.But, it has also paid off for him, leading him to become an accomplished digital artist and game designer.  He is now an art director with Electronic...

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