How to model an accurate parabolic mirror with a known focal point?
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I am new to Blender and really enjoying it now, but... I want to make an accurate parabolic mirror with a known focal point. For example, I would want to have it focussed so that a parallel beam could be reflected from the focal point outwards.
This will be 3d printed and then used with a tiny sonic transmitter/receiver set up to map surroundings, for a small rover bot. I think this could be done with a Bezier Curve, at least the general shape could be emulated. But how to make the parabular accurate for the focal point? I am guessing that once the general shape was made, it could be extruded away from the front to make it more solid.
The focal point needs to known so I can add struts to mount the sonic electronics. I'm not worried about scale or size at this point, just the method that I can repeat. Ive looked for some scripts that might help, but not found anything yet.
Thanks for your help.
add-on bezier
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am new to Blender and really enjoying it now, but... I want to make an accurate parabolic mirror with a known focal point. For example, I would want to have it focussed so that a parallel beam could be reflected from the focal point outwards.
This will be 3d printed and then used with a tiny sonic transmitter/receiver set up to map surroundings, for a small rover bot. I think this could be done with a Bezier Curve, at least the general shape could be emulated. But how to make the parabular accurate for the focal point? I am guessing that once the general shape was made, it could be extruded away from the front to make it more solid.
The focal point needs to known so I can add struts to mount the sonic electronics. I'm not worried about scale or size at this point, just the method that I can repeat. Ive looked for some scripts that might help, but not found anything yet.
Thanks for your help.
add-on bezier
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am new to Blender and really enjoying it now, but... I want to make an accurate parabolic mirror with a known focal point. For example, I would want to have it focussed so that a parallel beam could be reflected from the focal point outwards.
This will be 3d printed and then used with a tiny sonic transmitter/receiver set up to map surroundings, for a small rover bot. I think this could be done with a Bezier Curve, at least the general shape could be emulated. But how to make the parabular accurate for the focal point? I am guessing that once the general shape was made, it could be extruded away from the front to make it more solid.
The focal point needs to known so I can add struts to mount the sonic electronics. I'm not worried about scale or size at this point, just the method that I can repeat. Ive looked for some scripts that might help, but not found anything yet.
Thanks for your help.
add-on bezier
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
$endgroup$
I am new to Blender and really enjoying it now, but... I want to make an accurate parabolic mirror with a known focal point. For example, I would want to have it focussed so that a parallel beam could be reflected from the focal point outwards.
This will be 3d printed and then used with a tiny sonic transmitter/receiver set up to map surroundings, for a small rover bot. I think this could be done with a Bezier Curve, at least the general shape could be emulated. But how to make the parabular accurate for the focal point? I am guessing that once the general shape was made, it could be extruded away from the front to make it more solid.
The focal point needs to known so I can add struts to mount the sonic electronics. I'm not worried about scale or size at this point, just the method that I can repeat. Ive looked for some scripts that might help, but not found anything yet.
Thanks for your help.
add-on bezier
add-on bezier
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
asked 23 hours ago
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
484
484
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Add mesh z surface
Enable the add mesh extra objects addon, then from add menu choose add > mesh > math function > math z surface
The equation of a paraboloid with focus f is
(x ** 2 + y ** 2) / (4 * f)
paraboloid with focus at (0, 0, 1)
- Thickness can be added with the solidify modifier.
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I've learnt a number of things about Blender from your answer. I didn't realise that it could be so easy if you know what you are doing. Thanks so much!
$endgroup$
– Andrea Richards
19 hours ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Add mesh z surface
Enable the add mesh extra objects addon, then from add menu choose add > mesh > math function > math z surface
The equation of a paraboloid with focus f is
(x ** 2 + y ** 2) / (4 * f)
paraboloid with focus at (0, 0, 1)
- Thickness can be added with the solidify modifier.
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I've learnt a number of things about Blender from your answer. I didn't realise that it could be so easy if you know what you are doing. Thanks so much!
$endgroup$
– Andrea Richards
19 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Add mesh z surface
Enable the add mesh extra objects addon, then from add menu choose add > mesh > math function > math z surface
The equation of a paraboloid with focus f is
(x ** 2 + y ** 2) / (4 * f)
paraboloid with focus at (0, 0, 1)
- Thickness can be added with the solidify modifier.
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I've learnt a number of things about Blender from your answer. I didn't realise that it could be so easy if you know what you are doing. Thanks so much!
$endgroup$
– Andrea Richards
19 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Add mesh z surface
Enable the add mesh extra objects addon, then from add menu choose add > mesh > math function > math z surface
The equation of a paraboloid with focus f is
(x ** 2 + y ** 2) / (4 * f)
paraboloid with focus at (0, 0, 1)
- Thickness can be added with the solidify modifier.
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
$endgroup$
Add mesh z surface
Enable the add mesh extra objects addon, then from add menu choose add > mesh > math function > math z surface
The equation of a paraboloid with focus f is
(x ** 2 + y ** 2) / (4 * f)
paraboloid with focus at (0, 0, 1)
- Thickness can be added with the solidify modifier.
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
edited 18 hours ago
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
answered 22 hours ago
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.2k42571
23.2k42571
$begingroup$
I've learnt a number of things about Blender from your answer. I didn't realise that it could be so easy if you know what you are doing. Thanks so much!
$endgroup$
– Andrea Richards
19 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I've learnt a number of things about Blender from your answer. I didn't realise that it could be so easy if you know what you are doing. Thanks so much!
$endgroup$
– Andrea Richards
19 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've learnt a number of things about Blender from your answer. I didn't realise that it could be so easy if you know what you are doing. Thanks so much!
$endgroup$
– Andrea Richards
19 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've learnt a number of things about Blender from your answer. I didn't realise that it could be so easy if you know what you are doing. Thanks so much!
$endgroup$
– Andrea Richards
19 hours ago
add a comment |
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