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Thread: 3D models. Anyone using them?

  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ghost__1 View Post
    No you are right. Models are available in solidworks. I'm not at a time in my life to spend that kind of chedda and be able to justify it reasonably in my head.

    The sketch up was going to be a low cost option for folks that wanted to do that.
    I think you might have a marketable product if you could properly render build components from popular manufacturers and allow end-users to "build" a rifle before they actually have to lay down serious cash just find out that they weren't crazy about it after they assembled the various pieces.

    I for one would pay good money to be able to see and rotationally manipulate a 3D model of say an Adams Arms piston kit mated to various FF modular rails that are cut out for, but protrude past the gas block. I'd also get a kick out of trying out different stocks, fore grips and other accessories on my 3D build before ordering $3K worth of parts, assembling the rifle and then promptly selling $1K of those parts on the various AR forums.

    This would probably be very difficult to bring to fruition with all of the trademark, copyright and licensing pieces in play but it could work if properly backed and perhaps attached to an eCommerce storefront that would allow you to order said parts directly from the application hosting the 3D builds.
    Last edited by PFran42; 10-24-12 at 23:55.

  2. #12
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    Slightly off topic, but does this program allow you to take a .jpeg picture of something and set the scale to show the measurements? I browsed the home page and did not see anything that specifically stated such.
    Sticks

    Grasseater // Grass~eat~er noun, often attributive \ˈgras-ē-tər\
    A person who is incapable of independent thought; a person who is herd animal-like in behavior; one who cannot distinguish between right and wrong; a foolish person.
    See also Sheep

  3. #13
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    I was wondering the same thing. How do people get the dimensions for so many various things.

    I just can't imagine sitting down with calipers and getting all the measurements I see on some of those models.

  4. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by PFran42 View Post
    I think you might have a marketable product if you could properly render build components from popular manufacturers and allow end-users to "build" a rifle before they actually have to lay down serious cash just find out that they weren't crazy about it after they assembled the various pieces.

    I for one would pay good money to be able to see and rotationally manipulate a 3D model of say an Adams Arms piston kit mated to various FF modular rails that are cut out for, but protrude past the gas block. I'd also get a kick out of trying out different stocks, fore grips and other accessories on my 3D build before ordering $3K worth of parts, assembling the rifle and then promptly selling $1K of those parts on the various AR forums.

    This would probably be very difficult to bring to fruition with all of the trademark, copyright and licensing pieces in play but it could work if properly backed and perhaps attached to an eCommerce storefront that would allow you to order said parts directly from the application hosting the 3D builds.

    I have no interest in making money of of it. When i said low cost i meant to the person interested. The software is free. My end would be to design and help someone put something together that they could then download themselves to work with free of charge. As far as copyright i don't think that sketch up has any way to work into any cnc for production. It would just be a way to see it on paper if you will. I would not be selling anything and give the rights to the respective manufacturers whom did the original designs. The upper above is pretty much an HK416 lower with some slight differences. All models on the 3d warehouse from google are free downloads.
    "I know enough about a lot but enough to get me in trouble none the less." Me

    Quote Originally Posted by C4IGrant View Post

    Believe me, I know about not doing the "popular thing." Be a gear and gun dealer, go onto a tactical gun forum and tell folks to STOP buying crap they don't need.


    C4

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sticks View Post
    Slightly off topic, but does this program allow you to take a .jpeg picture of something and set the scale to show the measurements? I browsed the home page and did not see anything that specifically stated such.
    So far I've had to measure all respective dimensions. I know that there are indeed programs to use a .jpeg to get those respective measurements forever i am unsure of the compatibility with Sketchup.
    "I know enough about a lot but enough to get me in trouble none the less." Me

    Quote Originally Posted by C4IGrant View Post

    Believe me, I know about not doing the "popular thing." Be a gear and gun dealer, go onto a tactical gun forum and tell folks to STOP buying crap they don't need.


    C4

  6. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ghost__1 View Post
    I have no interest in making money of of it. When i said low cost i meant to the person interested. The software is free. My end would be to design and help someone put something together that they could then download themselves to work with free of charge. As far as copyright i don't think that sketch up has any way to work into any cnc for production. It would just be a way to see it on paper if you will. I would not be selling anything and give the rights to the respective manufacturers whom did the original designs. The upper above is pretty much an HK416 lower with some slight differences. All models on the 3d warehouse from google are free downloads.
    I got the gist of what you were putting out there originally. I was just taking the whole thing a step further and waxing poetic about it.

    If one could get the CADs for various component/accessory designs and have them incorporated into an "AR builder" type application, I think it would be a win/win for all parties involved. Great work by the way!

  7. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by PFran42 View Post

    If one could get the CADs for various component/accessory designs and have them incorporated into an "AR builder" type application, I think it would be a win/win for all parties involved. Great work by the way!
    This is exactly what I had in mind. I would be willing to do the leg work. Mostly out of sheer boredom. I have been looking for solid work since I got out of the Army last Nov. Better than mischief. Not sure how long it would take me. I have ten hours into the grip but that was really where I learned alot of the advanced techniques.
    "I know enough about a lot but enough to get me in trouble none the less." Me

    Quote Originally Posted by C4IGrant View Post

    Believe me, I know about not doing the "popular thing." Be a gear and gun dealer, go onto a tactical gun forum and tell folks to STOP buying crap they don't need.


    C4

  8. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ghost__1 View Post
    This is exactly what I had in mind. I would be willing to do the leg work. Mostly out of sheer boredom. I have been looking for solid work since I got out of the Army last Nov. Better than mischief. Not sure how long it would take me. I have ten hours into the grip but that was really where I learned alot of the advanced techniques.
    I would take the route of talking to the major manufacturers in order to get their original CAD files (or whatever file types they use). No need to reverse engineer anything. Your task would be converting all file types to one you choose to use. You would also have to figure out a way to cleverly "link" pieces within the UI. Something like a magnet effect might work for this. All you need is an accurate graphical representation of everything. You already have a lower and an upper so most legwork is already complete of close to being finished. The major hurdle here is convincing the manufacturers that you are not going to use their design specs to make your own products. I'm sure there is some sort of NDA or non-compete that could be drafted to address this. You sell it as a sales tool. People build a rifle, and then order the parts if they like what they created.

  9. #19
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    Also... Brownell's has something like this but it could be much, much better in my opinion.

    http://www.ar15builder.com/

    Being able to rotate the final build would be a huge plus in my book.

  10. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by PFran42 View Post
    Also... Brownell's has something like this but it could be much, much better in my opinion.

    http://www.ar15builder.com/

    Being able to rotate the final build would be a huge plus in my book.
    This is the same reason I had this idea. I felt that one was lacking for the reach of it. It looks neat but what I want people to know is will that gas block fit that bbl under that rail? if I buy that rail and want to put a suppressor on it how much clearance will I have with mount, can, and rail?

    The only other advantage it would bring is those that want to see how their rifle would look. I don't really care about aesthetics as much as fitment. I would not recommend using any program to help you make decisions to determine accessories for the fact that you have no idea what will work for you unless you can try it for real or you at least have some experience with said accessory.
    "I know enough about a lot but enough to get me in trouble none the less." Me

    Quote Originally Posted by C4IGrant View Post

    Believe me, I know about not doing the "popular thing." Be a gear and gun dealer, go onto a tactical gun forum and tell folks to STOP buying crap they don't need.


    C4

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