Need Help with Modifying files

[Rickinfl]

Hi, I'm really new to this and I'm doing a project that I need something changed and I have no clue how to do it. I've tried contacting the creator, but haven't heard anything back.

This is the project:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4148187

I've been trying to figure out how to make the yellow and green part straight (no curves). I just need the the whole part straight and then curve at the top so the red part and blue part are just fine.

Thanks,
Rick

[Alan]

Have you tried Tinkercad (it's free)? For something quick and dirty, i use that to hack an STL.

Cheers

[Rickinfl]

I have no clue what I'm doing. I'm new it took me forever to be able to learn how to print.

[Rickinfl]

I'm guessing I need to find someone to modify the files?

[Ender5r]

I usually find it easier to redesign things like this from scratch. I find it too time-consuming to try to modify STL files. Fortunately for you, the creator has very generously included a .STEP version of the model. I had a quick look and it is very possible to manipulate the model the way you want. FreeCAD or Fusion 360 should be able to do it pretty easily. Other programs that can work with STEP files should work too.

I get that you may not have CAD skills, so that can be a hinderance. Perhaps you could post an drawing, with measurements of what you want.

[Alan]

TinkerCad (https://www.tinkercad.com) is designed for kids and easy enough to hack things that even I can use it. If I understand correctly, you want to delete the green part and straighten the yellow part to look something like this:



Cheers

[Rickinfl]

I'll have to give Tinkercad a try. I never worked with any kind of cad program. . I'm wanting the Green and Yellow part straight like your picture above but need the our bend gone also. The parts can only go together 1 way they have inter locking ends that are directional that's why I needed both Yellow and Green parts totally straight.

[Ender5r]

A drawing with dimensions would help a lot.

[Rickinfl]

All I have is the files I downloaded from that site. I really wouldn't know how to even measure this because of the locking joints.

[Ender5r]

I meant a drawing of what it is you want, with dimensions showing size of each section. Forget for a moment the files you downloaded. Presumably you have a need for something specific. Draw that.

[Rickinfl]

Ok. Let me explain what I'm trying to do it might help out. I made my own BedJet. A BedJet pushes air under your sheets to keep you cool just google it, but I made my own. I have a 4" Flex duct running up to this and it's not long enough to make it to the top of the bed mattress. I need it about 28 to 30 in tall so I needed more pieces, but the project I found they interlock with each other and are curved. I'm attaching pictures of what I have. Note it's about 6 inch wide and the opening is 1 1/2.. What I need is the to add straight pieces to make it longer. I already JB welded this together. Not sure if that helps, but the pictures will show you what I have and you'll understand what I'm trying to do.The reason it's flat is to fit between the mattress and footboard.

FYI.. In that guys print I'm using the Blue and Green parts for this

[Alan]

Basically, you need to print the blue part and make red longer with the correct mating surface. You might have to break red into segments to make it printable. Looks straightforward in TinkerCAD. I should have some time tomorrow to mash something together tomorrow.

Cheers

[Ender5r]

OK, here is the red segment cut to 100mm. I put the mating parts on both ends, so you can join as many together as you like. However, even better, you can use the slicer's scaling feature to lengthen the segment in only the long direction.

BTW, this was really only possible because the creator was kind enough to upload the STEP version of the model.

[Alan]

Easily done in TinkerCAD using the STLs as well.

[Ender5r]

Could be, but I can't confirm as I've never used TC. I do not want to use a program that runs only in the cloud.

[Alan]

Life is full of risk versus benefits trade-offs. For me, the risks of 'losing' TinkerCAD are near zero. On the other hand, I will never use Office365. Cheers

[Rickinfl]

Thank You! I really appreciate this. I've been trying all these different programs, watching a lot of YouTube videos, but I just don't understand how to do this stuff. I'm pretty new to this and I did buy the Creality 5 Pro. To me this is all confusing because I don't understand CAD also not being good with math doesn't help. I'm going to tinker in TinkerCAD and see if that program helps me better understand all this. Again... Thank You!!!

[Alan]

TinkerCAD's Align and Workplane tools are powerful. TinkerCAD is not a replacement for a true CAD program (download and check out FreeCAD), but it works fine for simple things and hacking. I took a design for a cooling fan for one of my printers and adapted the STL (made taller and extended the opening closer to the printer nozzle) for use with a different hotend (E3Dv6) using only TinkerCAD.

Cheers