CAD files for polyhedral dice
December 24, 2009 11:41 AM Subscribe
Does anyone know where I can find some CAD files of polyhedral dice? I would prefer if the little numbers where already etched into them if possible.
Any 3d format would work if I can convert them.
Google's Sketchup Warehouse has a few available...
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 12:58 PM on December 24, 2009
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 12:58 PM on December 24, 2009
Response by poster: jedicus: These are great. Whoever made these went to a lot of work to get rounded edges. I was thinking of using pure platonic solids (and the d10) with sharp edges, but I'm going to look at these too. As long as the rounding is equal I guess it's still random.
ElDiabloConQueso: These are exactlly what I'm looking for but it doesn't look like Sketchup exports into any 3d formats. Maybe there is a 3rd party app that does it.
The proprietary CAD software I am using imports dxf, igs, iges or step files, but I think dxf is 2d so that doesn't really help.
I'm using the free software from eMachineShop.com, I got a bug in my ear about figuring out how much it would cost to get machined polyhedral dice. After figuring out that no one is making such an animal I'm going to see what it would cost to have them custom made.
But thanks to both of you, I have something to work with.
posted by Bonzai at 7:32 PM on December 24, 2009
ElDiabloConQueso: These are exactlly what I'm looking for but it doesn't look like Sketchup exports into any 3d formats. Maybe there is a 3rd party app that does it.
The proprietary CAD software I am using imports dxf, igs, iges or step files, but I think dxf is 2d so that doesn't really help.
I'm using the free software from eMachineShop.com, I got a bug in my ear about figuring out how much it would cost to get machined polyhedral dice. After figuring out that no one is making such an animal I'm going to see what it would cost to have them custom made.
But thanks to both of you, I have something to work with.
posted by Bonzai at 7:32 PM on December 24, 2009
Have a go at importing this DXF file, which contains 3D data. I've only put one number on that dodecahedron, because it's time-consuming to do in the software I used.
For what it's worth, I think you'd find it expensive to get these made, because it's a complicated bit of machining; the reason for that is because, while it's simple enough to machine the top and sides with a 6-axis milling machine, in order to machine the bottom you need to flip the part over - and with a dodecahedron, there won't be a simple place to hold it for machining. Normally the way to get around this is with a custom fixture - a second metal part, with half a dodecahedron cut out of it, which the part sits in after you flip it over.
From a cost point of view, the implication of this is: 1. You need a fixture, which has to be machined, and each part needs two rounds of machining with operator intervention in between; 2. while CAD designs that are simple to machine can be converted to CNC programs automatically, hard-to-machine shapes need manual intervention during programming; and 3. higher complexity machining increases the chance of operator error (such as putting it in the fixture at the wrong rotation) leading to higher risk of wasted materials etc. For this reason, I'd expect a 12-sided die to be expensive to CNC machine.
I'd be interested to hear how much emachineshop's quote is, when you get it.
posted by Mike1024 at 1:44 PM on December 25, 2009
For what it's worth, I think you'd find it expensive to get these made, because it's a complicated bit of machining; the reason for that is because, while it's simple enough to machine the top and sides with a 6-axis milling machine, in order to machine the bottom you need to flip the part over - and with a dodecahedron, there won't be a simple place to hold it for machining. Normally the way to get around this is with a custom fixture - a second metal part, with half a dodecahedron cut out of it, which the part sits in after you flip it over.
From a cost point of view, the implication of this is: 1. You need a fixture, which has to be machined, and each part needs two rounds of machining with operator intervention in between; 2. while CAD designs that are simple to machine can be converted to CNC programs automatically, hard-to-machine shapes need manual intervention during programming; and 3. higher complexity machining increases the chance of operator error (such as putting it in the fixture at the wrong rotation) leading to higher risk of wasted materials etc. For this reason, I'd expect a 12-sided die to be expensive to CNC machine.
I'd be interested to hear how much emachineshop's quote is, when you get it.
posted by Mike1024 at 1:44 PM on December 25, 2009
Response by poster: Sorry it took me a day to replay, I have satellite internet access and this blizzard knocked me out.
OK. I imported this file and got a message that said "this file will be imported as 2d... blah blah blah" and then the screen looks blank.
I'm looking for a DXF -> STEP converter next... I'll let you know.
If your right about how expensive it is I might be done right there, but if it's not TOO bad I'll see if there is quantity discount possible, maybe I can try reselling a batch.... way too soon to speculate though especially since I don't exactly have a big pile of capital to invest.
I bet it wouldn't be too hard to find a few dozen people who would want something like this.
Power in numbers and all that.
posted by Bonzai at 9:11 PM on December 26, 2009
OK. I imported this file and got a message that said "this file will be imported as 2d... blah blah blah" and then the screen looks blank.
I'm looking for a DXF -> STEP converter next... I'll let you know.
If your right about how expensive it is I might be done right there, but if it's not TOO bad I'll see if there is quantity discount possible, maybe I can try reselling a batch.... way too soon to speculate though especially since I don't exactly have a big pile of capital to invest.
I bet it wouldn't be too hard to find a few dozen people who would want something like this.
Power in numbers and all that.
posted by Bonzai at 9:11 PM on December 26, 2009
Response by poster: I give up.
I can't find a way to convert this and based on what Mike1024 said about custom fixtures and what I *have* figured out about the eMachineShop software this isn't going to work.
It was a fools errand.
I still think there is a market for machined RPG dice but I'll leave it to people who understand these things better than I.
posted by Bonzai at 9:33 AM on December 27, 2009
I can't find a way to convert this and based on what Mike1024 said about custom fixtures and what I *have* figured out about the eMachineShop software this isn't going to work.
It was a fools errand.
I still think there is a market for machined RPG dice but I'll leave it to people who understand these things better than I.
posted by Bonzai at 9:33 AM on December 27, 2009
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posted by jedicus at 11:52 AM on December 24, 2009