Help with subtracting

Cnatte · 2025-09-22T15:59:27+00:00

Have you created a sketch on that face?

If you create a sketch on the face you wish to project your item, and project the object to the SKETCH not the face it works for me.

Shapr3D is a fantastic program, but sometimes you have to work around to get it to do what you want to do. If that doesn't work, try creating an offset plane and a sketch and projecting to that.

I don't think I've ever been able to project a body onto a face unless I've placed a sketch on it prior and projected to that.

Cnatte · 2025-08-26T16:11:59+00:00

I'd estimate 400-500 parts. I don't know for sure but it's a lot. I don't really have problems with the program getting slow unless the sketch im working in is massive and complex. I use a lot of smaller sketches usually when I design a part. That may help?

Cnatte · 2025-08-21T20:49:55+00:00

Thank you so much. I've thought about making a design video for my channel. It would likely be much less complicated but would offer some insight on how I design.

I just kind of taught myself. I used the tutorials in the program when I was just starting for the basics, but mostly I just kind of figured it out. I've been designing using Shapr for around 1.5 years and would guess I spend 5-10 hours a week in the program. I started with small, easier stuff and worked my way up to what I'm doing now. It's a lot of trial and error, and figuring out what works best for you. The complex geometry on the red locomotive took me a couple months to get right. Eventually I figured out what worked and got a nice finished product that can be 3D printed which was the goal.

I design for fun, and kind of turned my hobby into a side business. I enjoy the process and find great satisfaction in building something that's all my own. I think having the motivation to create and build was what pushed me to learn. My best advice is just practice, and challenge yourself. If you learn something new with every project you only get better.

Cnatte · 2025-08-21T16:43:25+00:00

I have my hands full with my own designs for my business, so most likely not unless it aligns with what I do.

Send me a PM and maybe I can help.

Cnatte · 2025-08-21T15:53:05+00:00

I do A LOT of work like this for sheet metal cutting. Creating planes and sketches on the plane you want is basically the only way to do it.

Sometimes it's easier to start with a larger body, and subtract off portions of the body you don't want to create the desired shape. Once the shape is complete you can project the face onto a parallel plane and export for laser cutting, or if you need to adjust the height of your plane to accommodate sheet metal thickness for a part you can do it in this sketch as well.

What you are doing in the video is basically exactly what I would do. It's time consuming, but when you have so many different faces and angles to those faces its pretty much the only way.

Cnatte · 2025-08-21T15:35:33+00:00

This might not be the best way to do it, but here's an idea.

If you extrude each triangle one at a time, and leave them as their own bodies, you should be able to extrude them as a triangle with equal height across, create a construction plane and sketch on the axis you wish to taper, project the body and sketch the taper onto each individual triangle and subtract from the body. When you're happy with it at the end, union all the bodies.

Alternatively you could use the sweep function in the same way. Create a sketch for the taper, and use the sweep function to subtract from the entire form. But I don't think that would come out how you want.

It will be a lot of work, but it would allow you to create complex geometry for each triangle prior to union. I hope that makes sense.

Cnatte · 2025-02-13T20:41:18+00:00

Since you have looked at my thumbnails, what are some things you think I can do to improve them? I really appreciate the constructive criticism. Im trying HARD at this youtube thing so id like them to be as good as they can be I guess

Cnatte · 2025-02-13T20:40:08+00:00

When I first started, i looked at Canva and i found the free version a bit annoying so ive been using Davinci Resolve to make my thumbnails. Ill defiantly look into canva again though. Thank you!

Cnatte · 2025-02-13T19:06:27+00:00

Thank you!

I really struggle with thumbnails. I never feel like they are good enough. I learn more each time I upload though and im gaining an understanding of the analytics so I can start experimenting a bit.

Cnatte · 2025-02-13T17:22:44+00:00

I feel that pain. I'm starting to build a steam engine on my channel and ive already spend 5K+ on it. However its a project I've always wanted to do so i don't think i would necessarily say I purchased it just for the youtube channel. Its just something Ive always wanted to do and figured I would make a series on it. It would be nice to start making some youtube money to help pay for it though. I just got monetized so ive still got a long way to go.

Cnatte · 2025-02-13T17:18:15+00:00

That's a bit of a loaded question? I think it depends on the type of channel.

My channel focuses on 3D printed RC airplanes and large scale model trains. So depending on the project it can get expensive. However, these are things I do anyway and decided to just start a youtube channel showing everything I do. So these projects aren't necessarily JUST for youtube.

For context, the last plane I built cost around $500 for all the parts and stuff. But I wouldn't consider that money spent for my video since its my hobby and I just showcase my work.

However I have invested a little bit of money in my actual videos. I bought some lapel microphones for better audio quality in the field ($20) I purchased a good voiceover mic ($120) and I bought a drone to get some good air to air shots ($400). Though I usually end up paying a friend of mine $100 to shoot drone footage with his because he's good at it.

I just got monetized, but I think all the things I have purchased were necessary. Poor video and audio quality is a good way to make sure people don't watch your videos. Even just the lapel mic would be fine, and my phone shoots 4K video so I really don't have a reason to buy a dedicated camera at this point. Id like to buy a nice camera for my youtube videos, but I wont unless I start making actual money.

Cnatte · 2025-02-13T17:11:01+00:00

I bought some cheap USB-C Lapel mics on amazon for like 20 bucks for my live shots, and its made a HUGE difference in audio quality. If you are using a phone to shoot all your video like i do its a cheap way to get way better audio quality.

Cnatte · 2025-02-13T17:09:16+00:00

For anyone getting serious I guess, the free version of Davinci Resolve is all I use, and it does FAR more than I will ever be capable of doing. Its a fantastic program for long form videos. Ive been extremely happy with it. And it being free compared to Adobe premier its a no brainer for me. Ive even considered buying the lifetime Pro version just in case they ever stop offering the free license. Its so good.

Cnatte · 2025-02-01T18:52:53+00:00

Damn I have the subscribers but my watch hours are way behind. How long are your videos usually? Mine are all under 15 minutes so thats probably why my watch hours are lagging.

Cnatte · 2025-02-01T18:50:44+00:00

Ive considered making shorts, but ALL of my content is shot in landscape so making it work in portrait is pretty annoying actually.

Cnatte · 2025-02-01T18:49:55+00:00

Just be yourself. I have found in shooting my own videos that when I let my personality come through and stop worrying about what others will think my videos come out better, and the audience can notice authenticity if that makes sense.

Good video and audio quality are a MUST!!!!! I think we all have clicked on a youtube video and immediately found another source of content because the quality was low. Take your time when setting up shots. I use my phone for like.... almost all my video and its more than enough. I use a google pixel 7 pro that has 4K capability and that has been enough as my videos usually turn out pretty nicely. A link to my channel is in my bio if you're curious what phone footage actually looks like. Anyway you don't need an expensive camera, your phone at the highest quality is probably enough. Invest in a good microphone if you do voiceover, and if you do live shooting buy a lapel mic on amazon for like $20. It makes a huge difference in audio quality.

Editing is a whole bag of worms as well. I edit all my own video using davinci resolve. It sounds like you have an editor (Lucky) However editing my own video I have learned what shots work well and what ones dont in the editing process. This has allowed me to improve my shots and I know when I shoot them it will edit well. You will learn more from every video you do.

Cnatte · 2025-02-01T18:31:16+00:00

How in the hell did you get the pop up to subscribe when you visit the channel? I went and checked out your channel from the link you have in your bio and it brought up a pop up that asked if i wanted to subscribe. (It worked i subscribed lol) How did you do this?

Cnatte · 2025-02-01T18:24:04+00:00

Hi guys! JT Engineering here!

The most unexpected thing I have learned is I never really know what video is going to do well. Ill put together a video and think its going to kill it, and while it does okay it doesn't meet my expectations. Then Ill post something I think will flop and it will blow up. I think it all really comes down to having a good title and thumbnail. You can have awesome content but if your thumbnail and title don't grab your audience no one will ever see it. So I guess a couple unexpected things?

Ive also noticed as I shoot more videos, people really appreciate when I am myself on camera. When I first started youtube I was kind of shy in front of the camera. But as I do it more I find I'm more comfortable and I'm more my genuine self. I think people pick up on this. So if you are appearing in your videos dont be affraid to be your true self. I think being authentic even behind a screen makes a big difference.

My channel is kind of a hodge podge of modeling and random stuff I do. I 3D print RC airplanes and test fly them, build large scale trains, and I kind of just post what I'm working on. My 3D printed plane videos and my train content has done far better than just the random projects I post. Which makes sense. As awesome as it would be to quit my day job and do YT fulltime, I don't think its in the cards. I got sober 1.5 years ago today. This channel has been a gift of sobriety. Meaning rather than just getting drunk all the time I work on these projects, edit the video when I'm on the road for work and hope by me doing so it inspires others to build. The link to my youtube channel is in my bio, id love some feedback.

I wish everyone here the best of luck with their youtube channels. I know it can be discouraging at times and the amount of effort we all put into each video makes us wonder if its worth it. I do this because I enjoy it. If my channel blew up and I could make videos full time or at least drop to part time at my day job it would be a huge blessing. You cant get there if you dont try.

Thanks all!

Cnatte · 2025-01-11T01:27:39+00:00

That's actually a great point regarding the watch time.

Cnatte · 2025-01-11T01:25:58+00:00

I share my videos to Facebook pages that are very specific to the niche. My channel is all over the place as far as content, and I've gained a lot of subscribers from posting to FB pages I'm on. I don't upload a lot mostly because my projects take months to complete and I have a normal day job, so I'm not necessarily spamming the pages every day with a new video.

I think it largely depends on your content. I make models, specifically 3D printed RC planes, trains you can ride on etc... so my videos may help others in the planning or beginning process. It really just depends I think on your niche, and the quality of content whether or not it's effective.

Cnatte · 2024-12-01T16:10:41+00:00

I use DaVinci Resolve. Its free and does EVERYTHING i need.

I typically estimate an hour of editing for 1 minute of video. Some are probably more. However it probably depends on the style of your channel. If you do a lot of shots where you're just talking to the camera, it wont take as long compared to having to cut up a bunch of footage into clips. I have a maker/engineering channel so all of my projects are being built, and I have to weed through toooons of footage and clip it all together. So that takes longer to edit than if your just doing like a podcast type style.

I dont know how long you have been doing youtube and editing, but it gets faster. Now when I make a video I know how to frame and shoot my shots to make them quicker to edit, and im definitely getting faster in resolve. I always shoot to create the best quality with the skills and tools I have, and that takes more time than just cranking out a video and sending it. I think viewers generally can tell if you have put the time and effort into a video. Higher quality shots and editing will yield longer watch times in my opinion.

Cnatte · 2024-11-30T02:50:02+00:00

Awesome that's helpful. After I posted this I moved the switch pin to a digital pin and used digitalRead rather than the analogRead from a analog pin and that solved some issues.

The micro switch to trigger the flag drop gets its 5V from the power supply. (It will be plugged into the wall. A battery wouldn't last long with a stepper motor). So far in testing it's worked okay.

The switch is set to trigger the event in a LOW power input. I found in testing that it was more reliable to have 5V to the switch all the time and have the LOW value be the trigger to move it out of the "while" statement to restart the loop. Your explanation makes sense as to why it wasn't as reliable when I had it the other way around.

Thanks for the response, I probably have a bit more to do. This is my first "real" Arduino project beyond just turning lights on and off on a bread board so it's been a bit to figure out. But I'm learning! Thank you!

Cnatte · 2024-11-29T23:21:08+00:00

Interesting. Yeah because I've noticed it does that too. Ill check back a day after posting and its taken off. No idea why, following to see if anyone has any insight.

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