I’m not distributing the source code of the STL export, since I’d like to keep control over this. This functionality is very useful for mass production, and this way I keep the doors open to monetize this in the future.
For now the export is free of charge, but donations are appreciated.
The program is working well for me. Using Win7x64, I downloaded the zip file, extracted it to a folder, and made a shortcut on my desktop to the program. I can open, modify, drag in reference images, switch to inches, save, and do the upload/download STL over the web without issue. I find it easier to use than most surfboard design software as the control points and the reference images are very easy to manage. The STL file is in meters, a quick scale in a CAM software gets it to a preferred unit system.
Just playing with finfoil v1.0 and all works perfect, can import a picture, scale, etc, etc. I usually just take a screenshot, printout to scale and use as a template to freehand cut the layers in wood with my router then sand smooth. Saving is a good thing in the new version!
Thought I would have a go at printing something out on the 3D printer at work but the STL doesn’t seem to work … get a “failure” message. I have attached the file (renamed .txt instead of .foil so I could upload). Thought I should let you know so you can check it out. Also couldn’t contact you on LinkedIn as we “don’t know anyone in common” also thought I should let you know this as well.
I see the error message, and fortunately this error is only a caused by the image generation for the preview images. I know the webpage’s error handling should be improved.
I’ll try to fix the failure message as soon as possible, thanks for reporting this!
Also thanks for reporting the linkedIn issue.
Hans
BTW: this webpage to server connection is not very stable, I quickly prototyped this to release the STL export to the public. This will improve in the future, but sometimes it is sufficient to retry the upload a few times
hi hans … i sent you a private message on this very subject based on a thread you posted 4 years back , just befor i saw this post … i see comments about the design aspect being very intuitive , so thats great … can you recomend a simple program for converting the STL file to G code ???
i feel i need to ask some questions before i start playing with stuff that could be potentially time consuming …
Looks cool! Any word on the Mac binary? I checked the Github link but the Mac download directory is empty. Wish I knew how to compile it from source, or I’d provide it for you.
I’d be happy to test it out on the Mac for you though.
Any thoughts/plans on the ability to add FCS/Future bases onto the model?
The difficulty with directly generating G-code is that G-code is very specific to the cutting tool and tolerances set on the CNC machine.
The exported STL files are complete 3D descriptions of the fin itself, and can be used to generate the G-code using the software coming with your CNC machine. However, there are no fin tabs added to the 3D file. But since the tab shapes are geometrically very simple, they are straightforward to add using CAD software, whereas fins are difficult to model using standard CAD software.
I have plans to add functionality to add common fin bases using the finFoil, but since I don’t really need that myself and I fully develop this program during my free time, this feature is very low on my priority list.
Below you can find images of exported 3D files to give you an idea of what an exported fins could look like (this is a very exotic shape to show finFoil’s capabilities):
If you’d like to have more information about how to convert STL files to G-code, I’d advice you to contact jrandy (member on sways) as he used the finFoil produced STL files with his CNC router.
A friend of mine got it build for Mac but without some libraries included, meaning that you’d have to install them seperately. So I was waiting for him to make a better package. But I just contacted him to send me the small package anyway and I’ll upload it ASAP.
About the FCS tabs, the answer is in my answer to Bert Burger.
Bert, I tried 3 or 4 programs (the commercial ones give you a trial period before purchase) and found that MeshCAM was the one I liked best for STL to G-Code. It has a core set of functions that work well and not so many settings that a person gets lost trying to use it. Not bad cashwise either…
My process w/ finFoil:
Get an idea for a fin, or bum one off of Andrew at blendingcurves.com (awesome resource)
Design / overlay / tweak in finFoil, save as design.foil
Upoload the design.foil to to Han’s website, download biglongnumber.stl
Use FreeCAD import biglongnumber.stl. I use this program to draw tabs and mirror/nest fins if needed, export as fin.stl and tab.stl (FreeCAD only exports one object at a time).
Use Meshmixer to import above stl files, scale fins from meters to inches, and combine tabs to fins, then export as fin_tabbed.stl
Open fin_tabbed.stl in MeshCAM. Define stock, cutters, retention tabs, and output G-Code for LinuxCNC. Most CAM programs have ‘post’ data which allows them to write the correct flavor of G-code for the receiving machine or software.
Open that G-code in Cutviewer (3rd party G-code reader) to verify milling looks correct. Optional but prudent.
Run the same G-Code with LinuxCNC to drive the router.
It looks like a lot on paper, but many of the steps are just a minute or two and most of the software is free. FinFoil is very(!) fast, much faster than trying to teach more complicated CAD systems to outline, foil, and taper a fin base to tip. The process would be similar with 3D printing, except that one would either send the last STL file out for printing or use the printer’s supplied software as a STL-to-slice converter. Slices are G-Code designed to be one printing layer thick that are ran in series by the printer to print the object.
This is not meant to disrespect hand foilers and their fins. It’s just another way to go and I enjoy it.
Thanks for this explanation, I’ll try to improve workflow even more in the future by giving the option to export in different unit systems and add common fin bases.
But I don’t want to get into generating G-code. As this is functionality is very specialized and has nothing to do with fin design. I don’t want to reinvent the square wheel.
thanks for your job, I’m pretty sure adding fin bases will make happy a lot of people that don’t want to use specific cad. As you wrote adding gcode generator is not so important even because there are some freeware program that already do it with a lot of postprocessor option, one of the easier one in my personal opinion is Freemill http://mecsoft.com/freemill/ . You can import an stl file, you have to simply set your tool diameter and the speed and you can export gcode and have even a preview about the result.
Thanks for your response. The permalink you posted works and I have been experimenting with adding tabs in SolidWorks, seems to be pretty straightforward, just import as solid model (rather than mesh), add the features and re-export as STL. Will have a go at 3D printing it out as soon as I can get some ABS on the printer (guys at work are currently running PLA and a bit worried about how that would go in the water).
Don’t know what I am doint wrong, but the STL still doesn’t seem to work for me through the webpage. I tried a new file and got the error messages again and then it just seems to do nothing afterwards, the filename comes up but the download button is greyed out. I waited a while in case it takes a long time and I re loaded the file a few times as well.
Thanks again for your help and a great program !!!
Have tried different browsers but still won’t work, think it is something to do with Norton antivirus, tried turning it off but still no luck. Anyway tried on my work PC this morning and worked fine so I will just use that !
sent me a new build recently. Have you tried the