Photo etching how too?

[VonRyan]

I see an incorrect mention that PPD has no minimum. Their site says they have a 300x150mm minimum.

[Chris333]

I see an incorrect mention that PPD has no minimum. Their site says they have a 300x150mm minimum.

That is new to me. Never ordered anything smaller though.

[jimmo]

As a fellow Mac user I have an older version of Illustrator (CS-4) that I use for all of my 2D drawing. It works great for photo etch artwork and also for creating 2D patterns for import into TinkerCAD.

What program are you using for your 3D artwork? Isn't there a 2D plug-in available? You need a good 2D program if you're going to cover all the bases in digital modeling.

[SandyEggoJake]

@PiperguyUMD   I'm no expert in PE... just dabbling in it myself. 

If etching your own, anything that will prints could work. 

But the "as a service" guys tend to have specific software they will work with.  What I've found is most want a vector file (ex: corel draw or AI).  Or they charge you to convert and clean up - which can get excessive fast.  I've tried sketch up converted to AI, but I had many issue with shapes not "touching" a so it leaves voids that failed to be converted to a 2D vector file.   Got crazy messing so I started fresh... using Rhino (on demo).  The unroll feature of Rhino could be super for PE... but after some debate, PEI (http://www.photofabrication.com/) decided they couldn't take a Rhino file and wanted it converted (corel draw or AI).   

Then there is the issue of color coding.  While not all shops use the same color coding - and some want a unique flat file for each layer.   

Bottom line, from their perspective, it would seem the ideal is to created de novo in a vector file format.  And where possible, you may wish to use the service provider's template so you can optimize your design, and thus your output for their equipment, as well as to be formatted for their standard color code. 

Good luck and keep us posted!

[reinhardtjh]

The unroll feature of Rhino could be super for PE... but after some debate, PPD decided they couldn't take a Rhino file and wanted it converted (corel draw or AI).   

Well that's a bummer. I'm a Mac person as well and I bought Rhino while on the demo phase and also have ViaCAD Pro.  I can output in AutoCAD format but not Corel or Adobe Illustrator (I think). I do have an Adobe Illustrator license (Version 4 or some such - circa 199x) but it runs on OS9, not OS X.

Chris, what format did you send files to PPD in?

[Scottl]

I just did (another) etch with PPD and sent PDF, DXF and EPS files.  They never tell me what they use, but my freeware does them all so I figure it can't hurt.

[Chris333]

I use autoCAD .dwg files. They told me my files are exactly what they need. As for other formats, I have no idea what they need.

[peteski]

No need to ponder and guess about PPD's acceptable file formats. All you have to do is to go to their website and read the info there: http://www.ppdltd.com/artwork-guide.html

[robert3985]

No need to ponder and guess about PPD's acceptable file formats. All you have to do is to go to their website and read the info there: http://www.ppdltd.com/artwork-guide.html

I took Baron de Snarkski's sage (and blunt) advice, and went to the PPD website.  Gotta say that my 45 minutes there got me excited about producing those UP caboose details I've been putting off for years!!  Good thing I've got Corel Draw (but I'm not expert with it yet), so I'll be taking some time to learn it, and follow PPD's advice and produce drawings according to their advice...which seems simple enough.

Really really like threads like this....one of the reasons I'm here at TRW.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore