November 22nd
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Modeling USB connector
Ok, here is one cute modeling tutorial. In this one you will learn how to model this USB connector.
Ok, first things first. We need reference image which will help us model this little bugger. So, please use this one, and position it on the background of Top viewport. Make it 40 units (make sure you’ve got your Snap turned on) in width. Like so:
STEP 1
Then using Rectangle command create one rectangle like on the image (please note, if you followed the above intructions then you will have absolutely no problem aligning with using snap rectangle corners according to the image)
You can explode that rectangle into 4 lines with explode command, and then offset upper and lower ones by 2 units towards inside:
Now, create an Arc using Mid Osnap option and position it like on the image. (you will have to turn off the snap option, and turn on the Ortho for moving the arc straight). After that trim off the lines you don’t need with Trim command.
Ok, lets get to the third dimension now 😀 Join all curves and lines, and extrude them with ExtrudeCrv command (make sure you have Cap set to yes). Extrusion distance is 5units:
Now, offset joint curve by 0.5 units, and move that offset curve upwards (from Front or Right viewport) by 0.5 units, and extrude it by 4 units.
Using FilletEdge command, set the fillet radius to 0.6 units, and fillet all edges (of both outer and inner objects).
Now, using Rectangle command (make sure you click on Rounded in Rectangle options before setting first corner) create rounded rectangle in Top viewport and position it like on the image below:
Copy it 5 times, and mirror those 5 so you get something like on the next image:
Using Project command, project those curves on both objects:
Trim the upper surface with upper curves like on the image, and inner curves with inner surface:
You’ll have to end up with something like this:
Now, isolate two curves like on the image. We will create surface between those two.
As you can see, there are actually couple of lines and couple of arcs combining these two curves. So, at each intersection of lines and curves, there is an end. So, using End Osnap option, and Perp we will create cross section lines.
Now, using Sweep2 create a surface using two curves as rails, and other cross lines as cross sections:
Copy and mirror to fill the rest of the gaps:
Join all surfaces, and using FilletEdge command fillet new edges (do not worry, you can select everything with your bounding box, as there is no other edge that can be filleted except the ones we need 😉 ) . Use 0.1 units as filet radius.
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🙂
I appreciate the tutorials you put in your blog…it’s truly wonderful.
Excellent tutorial, thank you. Any chance you will post a V-Ray render of it?
could happen 😉
I am a beginner. Unfortunately I have no idea how you can insert a picture on Rhino. Can you please add some info about how to make the first instruction of your tutorial work? Tanks for your understanding and help in advance.
Dreja:
Click in the viewport which you want the picture in. Go ‘View->Background Bitmap->Place’ Then follow the prompts to size and place the image
is there an advantage to doing the Sweep2 step, vs just lofting the two curves?
If you’re referring to the Sweep 2 rails on the first page, second from the bottom… I think using the 2 curves and cross rails allows you to more easily constrain the surface, but I could be wrong.
thank you for the tutorial. its easy to follow and understand. quick question are there any easy ways of isolating objects?
Can somebody help with trimming of upper surface? Can’t get the result on picture http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/usb_15.jpg, only as on picture http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/usb_15.jpg… Maybe author of tutorial can clear this moment?..
Thanks in advance!
well, all you have to do is select desired surface and corresponding curves. That is, if you select the upper surface then you need to select the curves that are on that surface. Once you select those, run the trim command and then click inside the curves that way you create holes in it.
As for the inner surface, you need the opposite. You need to trim the outer part of that surface. So you click on outside of the curves.
If you still don’t get it, I’ll record a small clip for you.
well im getting really mad because this usb is stupid useless and ANNOYING as well i hate it deeply and no one should need to know how to make a usb unless you work aT place that makes usbs then you really do need to know how to because if you didnt you would be fired and no one would like you 🙂 but we are getting of topic do you really think that anyone needs to know how to make a usb its useles and no one wants to make one at all!!! but if you really want to YOU SHOULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You shouldn’t model it, if it doesn’t interest you. But having seen all the various methods for modeling different models, it is sometimes easier to model something new using that knowledge.
Hello Ivan,
I wanted to know how you managed to isolate the two curves after the trimming of the two surfaces. I am new to Rhino. Thanks. 🙂
Anyone? Please help…
simply select the surfaces and hide them with Hide command. Actually what I did here is hide everything except two curves for easier selection and presentation for the tutorial purposes.
Thanx. Great tutorial. I’m having trouble with the filleting of the inside edges of the ribs, down in the pocket. All surfaces are joined. No naked edges. When I fillet, it generates the fillet but it’s in pieces, normals are erratic and it hasn’t intersected and joined the surfaces. I can still see the original surface behind. I tried reducing the size of the fillet but to no avail.
Any Suggestions?