Can someone help me to convert a 3D case in various 2D parts?

[dcbn]

I already tried a lot of things but failed in every attempt. (I can be wrong but as far as I could read, in this specific situation, It's almost possible.)

The case I'm trying to convert is the "3D Printable Fully Parametric Case".

I'd like to get it laser-cut, but for that, I need .svg files.

I'd love to recreate it in .svg files, but I have minimum experience with CAD/vectorial software.

Thank you for your attention and your help.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

 

[VELKASE Michael]

Assuming that you want it made from metal, that case would have to modified in some way. You'd probably need to make some bends unless if you plan on getting creative with screws going into the side of a sheet of metal (it's definitely possible but tricky). Do you have anyone who can cut and/or bend parts for you?

 

[Beardedswede]

It looks like the 3D is adaptable depending on what hardware you want in it. Which is pretty cool but it seems quite blunt.
The example design is with a flex PSU ontop of the CPU cooler. So that much make the cooling very bad. Plus a flexPSU is noisy but that's a other thing.

The 3D model seems to be solid. All walls and .bottoman are one piece. First of all horrible design for most 3D printers to get a good result. But also makes it hard for you.
You basically need to get the 3D model adjust the settings for your hardware. Manually copy it and redesign it for lasercutting all sides separately and designing how to join them.

So basically you need to design the whole case. But it could give you some dimensions to start from. But probably easier to do it all yourself. It that's a big project for most.

Why just not buy a case. There are affordable chinese lasercut cases that you can buy.

Here is UK based company that does laserct cases.
https://www.parvumsystems.com/product/x2-0-itx
I'm sure you can find cases that are out there that are made to be cut.
For example.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2620521

Good luck.

 

[dcbn]

Assuming that you want it made from metal, that case would have to modified in some way. You'd probably need to make some bends unless if you plan on getting creative with screws going into the side of a sheet of metal (it's definitely possible but tricky). Do you have anyone who can cut and/or bend parts for you?

I almost PM'ed you before creating this thread.

I'd like to get it laser-cut (in acrylic) and not in a sheet of metal.

(The original poster has all the same parts as me, so I'm sure It'll fit.)

Do you have any idea how to do it?

Thank you for your attention and your interaction.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience.

 

[dcbn]

Thank you for your attention and your interaction.

It looks like the 3D is adaptable depending on what hardware you want in it. Which is pretty cool but it seems quite blunt.
The example design is with a flex PSU ontop of the CPU cooler. So that much make the cooling very bad. Plus a flexPSU is noisy but that's a other thing.

The original poster changed his mind and ended up using an SFX PSU, here is the result in the #52 post, you can also check his article in his site where he tells about the hardware he is using.

The 3D model seems to be solid. All walls and .bottoman are one piece. First of all horrible design for most 3D printers to get a good result. But also makes it hard for you.
You basically need to get the 3D model adjust the settings for your hardware. Manually copy it and redesign it for lasercutting all sides separately and designing how to join them.

I guess here is where I'm, I see I'll probably have to draw myself. :|

Why just not buy a case. There are affordable chinese lasercut cases that you can buy.

Most of the cases don't fit the NH-L12s, also I'm in Brazil and I'd end up paying 100% of the price of the product in customs fees.

Here is UK based company that does laserct cases.
https://www.parvumsystems.com/product/x2-0-itx
I'm sure you can find cases that are out there that are made to be cut.
For example.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2620521

I've already checked almost all cases available that could match my needs (thingverse, grabcad etc.) but couldn't find anyone with .svg files.

Anyway, thank you for trying to help me.

Good luck.

Thank you for your attention.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

 

[VELKASE Michael]

I almost PM'ed you before creating this thread.

I'd like to get it laser-cut (in acrylic) and not in a sheet of metal.

(The original poster has all the same parts as me, so I'm sure It'll fit.)

Do you have any idea how to do it?

Thank you for your attention and your interaction.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience.

No need to be sorry. If you are willing to consider alternatives, 3D printing each panel individually may be an easier option if you have any companies in Brazil that offer 3D printing.

If you need to edit .svg files, you can get a free trial of CorelDRAW but designing a computer case in a graphics editor instead of CAD would be very difficult.

Here is one idea on how to attach sheets with screws and nuts but it may not look pretty:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...eAhXk7YMKHdH7AmYQxiAoBXoECAEQGQ&iact=c&ictx=1

 

[dcbn]

If you are willing to consider alternatives, 3D printing each panel individually may be an easier option if you have any companies in Brazil that offer 3D printing

If I was about to print it in 3D, I think I'd end up printing in like the project, in a unit body except for the lid, the problem is 3D printing in my country is expensive, some companies are willing to charge the price of a 3D printer for this case, which is super abusive.

If you need to edit .svg files, you can get a free trial of CorelDRAW

Yes, I know, there are some free alternatives that do almost the same.

but designing a computer case in a graphics editor instead of CAD would be very difficult.

Why would it be so difficult (in comparison with CAD software)? (I'm trying to understand, I'm not saying that is easy or anything like that.)

(The method for laser-cut consists in developing the design in a CAD software, then exporting it to a 2D format file and finally, get it laser-cut, right?)

Placing the mount holes of the motherboard, I/O shield, and PCIe shouldn't be the most difficult part overall?

Couldn't I, for example, separate all the sheets (faces: front-back, right-left, and lid-bottom) and then, make all the designs separately in each part of the case? Isn't this viable? (Again, I'm trying to understand, It's an honest doubt.)

Thank you for all your help and attention.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience and for any typo, I'm almost sleeping.

 

[VELKASE Michael]

If I was about to print it in 3D, I think I'd end up printing in like the project, in a unit body except for the lid, the problem is 3D printing in my country is expensive, some companies are willing to charge the price of a 3D printer for this case, which is super abusive.


Yes, I know, there are some free alternatives that do almost the same.


Why would it be so difficult (in comparison with CAD software)? (I'm trying to understand, I'm not saying that is easy or anything like that.)

(The method for laser-cut consists in developing the design in a CAD software, then exporting it to a 2D format file and finally, get it laser-cut, right?)

Placing the mount holes of the motherboard, I/O shield, and PCIe shouldn't be the most difficult part overall?

Couldn't I, for example, separate all the sheets (faces: front-back, right-left, and lid-bottom) and then, make all the designs separately in each part of the case? Isn't this viable? (Again, I'm trying to understand, It's an honest doubt.)

Thank you for all your help and attention.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience and for any typo, I'm almost sleeping.

Yes, you can separate the sheets. And that is correct, a 2D file is needed but it can also be derived from a 3D file if using CAD. Do you know anyone who can cut the acrylic for you in Brazil?

I was just saying that doing this in CAD is easier (if you can find a free/ inexpensive/ trial program) because you'd be able to visualize how the parts fit together and find any mistakes. Otherwise, if you go with the graphics editor, it may be tricky to visualize how it fits together depending on the complexity. It seems like you would have to draw 6 sheets, but I don't want to discourage you from trying.

 

[dcbn]

Yes, you can separate the sheets. And that is correct, a 2D file is needed but it can also be derived from a 3D file if using CAD. Do you know anyone who can cut the acrylic for you in Brazil?

Yes, I do (companies, not friends), laser-cut is more common in Brazil than 3D printing.

(Just a doubt, did you ask it to prevent me from doing all the hard work and then wouldn't be able to laser-cut it?)

I was just saying that doing this in CAD is easier (if you can find a free/ inexpensive/ trial program) because you'd be able to visualize how the parts fit together and find any mistakes.

Fortunately, there are plenty of free options (and also the trials) to do it.

Otherwise, if you go with the graphics editor, it may be tricky to visualize how it fits together depending on the complexity. It seems like you would have to draw 6 sheets, but I don't want to discourage you from trying.

Understood.

Just to be sure, shouldn't this make more sense in case I had no idea what I was trying to create or in case I didn't know If the components wouldn't fit? I mean, as someone already validated that specifications (height, depth, and width), I should just reproduce it, right? (I'm trying to understand, I'm not confronting you.)

Thank you for your time, attention and interaction.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

 

[VELKASE Michael]

Yes, I do (companies, not friends), laser-cut is more common in Brazil than 3D printing.

(Just a doubt, did you ask it to prevent me from doing all the hard work and then wouldn't be able to laser-cut it?)


Fortunately, there are plenty of free options (and also the trials) to do it.

Understood.

Just to be sure, shouldn't this make more sense in case I had no idea what I was trying to create or in case I didn't know If the components wouldn't fit? I mean, as someone already validated that specifications (height, depth, and width), I should just reproduce it, right? (I'm trying to understand, I'm not confronting you.)

Thank you for your time, attention and interaction.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

You should be fine but it would be advisable to first tell those companies about your project and ask what file types they accept.

 

[dcbn]

You should be fine but it would be advisable to first tell those companies about your project and ask what file types they accept.

That's fine, I already did it. Most of them ask the .svg files.

Being realistic, how hard do you think will be to make all the designs, considering the hardest are the back and front part?

Thank you for your time and your patient.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience.

[Off-topic question.]
In case you can tell, how many liters your case will have?

Have a nice time.

 

[Choidebu]

There's no easy way of doing this except to learn 3d modelling softwares.

Pick a tool to learn that reads .stl files, then lookup how to 'export' 'surfaces' / 'faces' to svg. Then you'll still have to decide how to join them and your panel's width, whether or not to have them flush at the join (means you'll have to shave the framing panel's width out).

This still doesn't include internal panels and how to mount them...

At which point you'll just design a whole new case on your own ^_^

 

[VELKASE Michael]

That's fine, I already did it. Most of them ask the .svg files.

Being realistic, how hard do you think will be to make all the designs, considering the hardest are the back and front part?

Thank you for your time and your patient.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience.

[Off-topic question.]
In case you can tell, how many liters your case will have?

Have a nice time.

If you know how to use the program you plan on using, then not too difficult. It's definitely possible. You'll also have to think of a way to implement standoffs for the motherboard if you want them. For example, cutting a hole in the acrylic and installing a regular standoff with a nut and washer on the other side. The only way to find out exactly how difficult it will be is to try

The upcoming case is 4.0 L, so a bit smaller than the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. It will be available this November/ December.

 

[Choidebu]

You'll also have to think of a way to implement standoffs for the motherboard if you want them. For example, cutting a hole in the acrylic and installing a regular standoff with a nut and washer on the other side.

You can buy threaded insert meant to be heat installed in plastics, see https://www.pemnet.com/fastening-products/si-inserts-for-plastic/. Maybe your local hardware store have some variant of them. I know mine does. DIYing these is easy enough: Predrill a hole, lay it on top, heat and push with soldering iron until flush. After that just regular standoffs.

 

[Choidebu]

Being realistic, how hard do you think will be to make all the designs, considering the hardest are the back and front part?

If people tell you it's easy, you'd probably do it. If people tell you it's hard, you'd not do it and prob wondered your whole life if it is that hard.

Tell you what - if all you have to lose is your time why not do it and see for yourself?

The only way to find out exactly how difficult it will be is to try

Nuff said

 

[dcbn]

@Choidebu

Pick a tool to learn that reads .stl files, then lookup how to 'export' 'surfaces' / 'faces' to svg.

I basically had to learn it when I was trying to export the parametric case to 2D and failed miserably.

Then you'll still have to decide how to join them and your panel's width, whether or not to have them flush at the join (means you'll have to shave the framing panel's width out).

I was planning to use this specific "L-Bolt" for a first try, anyway, I don't know If It'll work until I test it, though.

This still doesn't include internal panels and how to mount them...

Which internal panels are you referring?

At which point you'll just design a whole new case on your own ^_^

That's what I was trying to avoid, but It seems to be the only way. (This not mean to be a lazy thought, It's just I'm busy at this moment but I'll refuse to use this as an excuse to not try.)

Thank you for all your considerations.



@VELKASE Michael

If you know how to use the program you plan on using, then not too difficult. It's definitely possible. You'll also have to think of a way to implement standoffs for the motherboard if you want them. For example, cutting a hole in the acrylic and installing a regular standoff with a nut and washer on the other side.

That was my first thought on how to implement the standoffs and "hold them", I think It'll work well, but thank you for your consideration.

The only way to find out exactly how difficult it will be is to try

That's right.



@Choidebu

You can buy threaded insert meant to be heat installed in plastics, see https://www.pemnet.com/fastening-products/si-inserts-for-plastic/. Maybe your local hardware store have some variant of them. I know mine does. DIYing these is easy enough: Predrill a hole, lay it on top, heat and push with soldering iron until flush. After that just regular standoffs.

I haven't seen it in any near local suppliers and I just have the regular standoffs, but I guess I can find a way to do it, "improvise".

The original poster of the parametric case has advised it in his post, which is a solid advice!

Anyway, thank you for your consideration!

If people tell you it's easy, you'd probably do it. If people tell you it's hard, you'd not do it and prob wondered your whole life if it is that hard.

Tell you what - if all you have to lose is your time why not do it and see for yourself?

My concerns were not mean to be a lazy thought, on the contrary, I was just trying to understand If my idea was viable and not something "catastrophic", I mean, for me seemed viable, but I thought It would be better to ask, because someone could have already attempted and say If would "makeable".
(I know, history has already proved that even when someone says something is impossible, another person proves that It was wrong as the person has done it. But, as we are in a "niche community", I knew my idea was already considered and I was questioning the viability.)

Anyway, thank you for the encouragement.


Both of you, @VELKASE Michael and @Choidebu, thank you for all the patient, help and attention you have gave me.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience and the time I made you spend with my concerns.

Have a wonderful time!