Learning CAD with Alibre Atom3D

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Thanks all had a go with the angled extrusion idea and got just what I wanted. Once again many thanks John

[Ted WebbParticipant @tedwebb25830]

JasonB

Reference your very recent postings of illustrations regarding how to draw the transfer ports in the cylinder head, would you mind telling me where your original drawings (2D?) came from??

The reason I ask is because I’m in the middle of modelling a spin-off of the Stuart Turner 10V. The source data (2D drawings) of the model appeared in ‘Australian Model Engineering’, issues 200 – 203. The title of the article is ‘The “Phoenix” Engine’ by Peter Martin. I’m doing the modelling in SketchUp. Later I’ll try the same model using Alibre Atom3D.

When I say “I’m in the middle of modelling..”, I’m actually in the middle of modelling the cylinder head! When I saw your illustration of the cylinder head I was struck by the similarity of what you have done and what I am doing. It looks like the same cylinder head! Of course this could be a very common configuration. Any information that you could provide regarding your model would be greatly appreciated, both now as I work in SketchUp and later in Alibre 3D.

Although I am a retired American and living in Australia, I feel I have a connection to the UK. I worked at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk during mid 1980s and again early 1990s as a civilian contractor supporting the F-111. I lived in Brandon not far from where the Wheeting(sp) steam festival was held. I still keep in touch with friends in the UK. I really enjoyed my time spent in the UK.

Cheers

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

When you say "cylinder head" do you mean the cylinder casting that I used in the post earlier this week or one of the cylinder end covers which somethimes get called the head?

The reason you can see a likeness is that I drew that cylinder up a few years ago when another member had some issues with a Stuart No1, main dimensions were taken from the stuart drawing and the outside not detailed.

There are several views in my album starting with this one of the piston/rod, just use the arrows to move to the next one. You will see that I have drawn it there with the cast in passages which were just suppressed so they did not conflict with the drilled holes in the recent post. This is how it wa soriginally drawing with teh cast ports showing in the sectioned casting

Depending on how you are going to construct the cylinder you may need to draw it if different ways, this one was fabricated and the passages part machined into the parts before silver soldering which is easier than drilling afterwards and you get a good passage area

On the other hand this one was cut from a block of cast iron so the passages had to be drilled, I also just used drilled ports to keep it simple.

If it was just the cylinder covers then let me know and I'll post how to do them.

If you have Atom then you should be able to open my files, click Message member at the bottom of this post and let me know an e-mail and I'll send the Alibre files to you to look at.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

And as a bonus for Nigel Graham this is the 2D drawing of that last cylinder produced by drawing the 3D model first. All dimensions automatically generated off the model not fudged due to being drawn at wrong lengths, click for larger image

[Ted WebbParticipant @tedwebb25830]

JasonB,

Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful reply. When I said "cylinder head", I goofed! It should have read "cylinder". Very similar to your postings on 15/06/2019. I'm looking forward to seeing your album. Thank you again, much appreciated.

Ted

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Help I used the trial software on my laptop and after a while decided to buy the licence and received licence No. I installed the software on my base unit PC windows 7 pro, no problem. Yesterday SWMBO was on PC and I decided to transfer licence to laptop. I was allowed on PC to relieve licence No problem but when I go to laptop and start Alibre all I get is the licence has expired and the only button is exit. I thought I would uninstall program and reinstall but after doing all that I get the same licence expired and exit how do I get to install licence No. HELP ! I have sent an email to David but no answer yet.

David

Edited By David George 1 on 25/06/2019 10:02:36

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You could raise a ticket with Alibre Support or ask on Alibre forum (may already be covered)

I've not run mine on anything else so can't help.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Answered in this article

 

Whether it was an extended trial, an ordinary trial or something else – the same /bat file will remove the local licence files which allows you to re-start the activation process.   If still having difficulties contact reseller or Alibre support.

Edited By David Jupp on 25/06/2019 10:36:07

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Oh thank-you JasonB!

Very generous of you! Though I can't help thinking, "That there Jason's teasing me…!"

I wondered if David George's difficulty was due to Alibre registering the PC, so refusing to work on a second computer – a copyright protection move. I recall seeing similar happen elsewhere.

I think "Uninstall" is like "Delete": it just hides the files – but perhaps when loading from the Internet the receiving computer acknowledges by its own ID or address, so the licence can be locked to the individual computer?

'

Jason – I knew Alibre Atom does let you take off elevations from models. So, I think, does TurboCAD.

I'd have to buy Alibre outright as my trial copy had expired, as I found when I tried running further trials it has sent since. It said it was "repairing" what I thought I'd "un-installed" – then, "The licence has expired". Hence my comment above.

It's all still there, complete with desk-top symbol, but not useable.

At least I can already produce "good-enough" 2D drawings with TurboCAD it, though without proper dimensions.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 25/06/2019 14:54:12:

I wondered if David George's difficulty was due to Alibre registering the PC, so refusing to work on a second computer – a copyright protection move. I recall seeing similar happen elsewhere.

NO Nigel – David had released his purchased licence from his Desktop computer (so he could use it on laptop). BUT the expired trial licence was still installed on laptop. Because the 6 month trial is a 'special' it is managed differently from a standard 30 day trial, it therefore requires some intervention to remove it after expiry (as explained in the article I linked to) – slightly annoying no doubt, but a small inconvenience in exchange for the 6 month trial period. After removing the trial licence, David should be able to use his permanent licence on the laptop, and he'll be able to switch the activation between computers as needed.

Please try not to spread confusion by speculating on matters that you don't have knowledge of. By all means ask if you'd like to know more about how licensing (or anything else) works.

For information – uninstalling Alibre leaves the licence file behind on the computer (that makes updates simpler). The server at the licensing provider also keeps a record of the computer ID. A 'User Profile' is also not removed by a normal uninstall – the actual program files themselves are removed by uninstalling.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Thank you for that last paragraph – it seems to bear out my thought why Alibre was preventing me using even the trial software it was still sending.

I'm pretty sure I had used "Uninstall", but when I tried again it put up a message about "Repairing", hence my thinking Uninstall is similar to Delete File.

'

Otherwise,…..

'

Oh I Am Sorry I Spoke in such august company.

Don't worry, I won't ask about "licensing (or anything else)". A forum at a level obviously beyond anything I could achieve, is clearly not my place.

I will remove Alibre from my computer; and will not renew my MEW subscription which I purchased originally for the Alibre offer. (I may keep buying ME, as I have done for many years.)

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

I tried to run the fix and it failed to work but I found why.

The .bat file which you download puts a remove.exe file in your downloads and I found that windows defender didn't like it. I looked in the downloads and clicked the exe file and a red tab popped up saying it was blocked by windows defender and it could harm your computer so I clicked a label called details and there was an option to run anyway and after it has run I could run Alibre as to info in the article and now have put in my licence no and back working.

David

 

Edited By David George 1 on 25/06/2019 17:44:43

[Ivan WintersParticipant @ivanwinters22691]

Slightly off topic (I have no doubt the 'Moderator' will move me to the correct thread !) I have been enjoying the 'new' Exercise Manual that we can get FOC through Mintronics. Mintronics were very helpfull getting me the correct discount code for this item. It contains practise with features which the original manual included with the trial program doesn't have.

The item which has been catching my eye is that we are encouraged by the program to save parts etc in a file format ending **.FCStd . What on earth is this format ? Alibre opens the files again quite happily but it doesn't change the fact that I have never before seen this file format.

Anyone shed any light on this weirdity ??

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Ivan Winters on 15/07/2019 15:27:41:

Slightly off topic (I have no doubt the 'Moderator' will move me to the correct thread !) I have been enjoying the 'new' Exercise Manual that we can get FOC through Mintronics. Mintronics were very helpfull getting me the correct discount code for this item. It contains practise with features which the original manual included with the trial program doesn't have.

The item which has been catching my eye is that we are encouraged by the program to save parts etc in a file format ending **.FCStd . What on earth is this format ? Alibre opens the files again quite happily but it doesn't change the fact that I have never before seen this file format.

Anyone shed any light on this weirdity ??

Let me google that for you

'Freecad standard file format'

Neil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

That does not really explain why your Alibre is saving as a freecad file rather than an Alibre part, assembly or drawing file. I've looked through the articles in the mag and can't see it mentioned there?

Possibly so that those who don't purchase Atom will still be able to access their work as there are a few more that can open Freecad files than Alibre files

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Ivan Winters on 15/07/2019 15:27:41:

…

The item which has been catching my eye is that we are encouraged by the program to save parts etc in a file format ending **.FCStd . What on earth is this format ? Alibre opens the files again quite happily but it doesn't change the fact that I have never before seen this file format.

Anyone shed any light on this weirdity ??

Just a guess but is it possible that you've used Alibre to open a project created earlier with FreeCAD? It's quite common for software to work, more or less successfully, with other file formats. When given an alien file, the software might just carry on in alien mode rather than convert it. The other possibility is that Alibre has accidentally been told to default to FCStd in it's Properties or Setup section.

It is odd though!

Dave

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Ivan,

I'm not aware how Atom3D could offer that format. Can you share a screenshot showing this, and a description of how you reached that…? Seems like there may be something very odd with your installation. PM me if you'd prefer.

[Ivan WintersParticipant @ivanwinters22691]

I just saved one of the .FCStd files as a AA_PRT file and it opened perfectly in Alibre Atom 3D. Looks like a case of problem solved. Thanks

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

I tried saving a file from FreeCAD – Alibre won't open it. I'm very puzzled as to how Ivan achieved what he describes.

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Just had email from Alibre about the 2019 update. Alibre Atom 3D appears to have found the update and installed it okay. Need to find time to play with it now.

Colin

[Steve Skelton 1Participant @steveskelton1]

I went to load up Atom 3D and it informed me an update was available so I clicked on it to download it as you do. It then said a reboot was necessary which I did. I then tried to load up Atom 3D and it informed me:-

"This version of the software was released after your yearly maintenance subscription has expired. You do not currently have access to this version".

What is going on. I only bought this a few months ago and having been away for the late spring and early summer I wanted to carry on learning how to use the software.

This cannot be right surely – has anyone else had this happen?

What do I have to do to use what I bought. Will this mean every time that they make a change to the software you have to re-buy it?

HELP

Steve

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Did you buy it as a one off or with maintenance? You will only get updates with the latter as far as I know.

[Steve Skelton 1Participant @steveskelton1]

Jason, I bought the basic package less than 3 months ago so would have expected that if they upgraded the package within that time that they included the upgrade.

If Alibre are that strict and petty about not allowing a free upgrade within a three month period I would have thought they would, at least,have the basic technology to not send an automatic upgrade command through to me if I am not eligible to receive it.

I now have software that I cannot use and do not know how to go back to the old version that I am only entitled to.

As I said HELP

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

They send out the u[grade e-mails as people may want to upgrade, in which case they can purchase the upgrade if they don't automatically get it via maintenance.

If you have lost your current Atom due to trying to download the 2019 version then go to Alibre.com, select help and learning, then downloads and finally "request an earlier version" which will get the one you previously had made available to download.

You could also contact Mintronics if you are in the UK and purchased via them.

[Steve Skelton 1Participant @steveskelton1]

Thanks Jason, I will try to get it back they way you suggest.

I did not, however, respond to an e-mail. When I opened up my old copy of Atom 3D it came up with a screen asking me to download the upgrade. I have to say I am very disappointed with the way Alibre have done this.

So if anyone does not have the maintenance package ignore the splash screen on opening up the program (I think that's what you call it) that says click here to download the latest upgrade. I do not think it said anywhere that you need to pay for it.

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