does anyone have accurate pictures of the fiero's space frame from the from four sides (top, front, back, side)? I want to 3d model it that way I can design kits and potentially partner with someone to mass produce more kits for the fiero and increase the aftermarket support in terms on cosmetics. I have already made a highly basic wide body for it using blender
id like to start making kits similiar in design as to the pandem wide body kits and the shirokai body kits, as well as complete conversion kits that completely change the way the fiero look which would make the fiero scene much more diverse than it currently is in terms of the way each car looks
------------------ a 17y/o as of 2023 who has a 1987 pontiac fiero GT in bright blue from factory, engine is starting to give out always eager to learn more from others so please do not hesitate to correct me or anything of the sort
I have some old CAD software that I got in the mid-90s when I worked at CompUSA in which the front of the CD-disk sleeve literally had the Fiero's steel space frame on it. If you're not in a huge rush, I'll see if I can find it this weekend. It's not AutoCAD, but it did produce files in AutoCAD format. It was one of the ones that was included as example CAD designs to show off the software. I think it runs in DOS, haha... but you can take whatever that AutoCAD format is and load it up into whatever your current software is.
I'll look this weekend and let you know if I can find it.
I have some old CAD software that I got in the mid-90s when I worked at CompUSA in which the front of the CD-disk sleeve literally had the Fiero's steel space frame on it. If you're not in a huge rush, I'll see if I can find it this weekend. It's not AutoCAD, but it did produce files in AutoCAD format. It was one of the ones that was included as example CAD designs to show off the software. I think it runs in DOS, haha... but you can take whatever that AutoCAD format is and load it up into whatever your current software is.
I'll look this weekend and let you know if I can find it.
that'll actually be big, if you can find it please leave a download link for it. it would be much better than what i could model with a few reference sheets lol
I'd like to keep an eye on this post because I think getting CAD files available will keep the body kit design and production moving in the community. Certain Fab shops now a days have access to 3D scanners and could also create CAD files for particular areas that the community doesn't have right now.
I'd like to keep an eye on this post because I think getting CAD files available will keep the body kit design and production moving in the community. Certain Fab shops now a days have access to 3D scanners and could also create CAD files for particular areas that the community doesn't have right now.
Ok, I'll start looking right now. No idea where I put that stuff, but I'll try to look now. I definitely saved it, so I will get it eventually if not tonight.
To the OP - I am a CAD designer who has been using CAD software daily for the past 25 years (NX, ProE/Creo, SolidWorks, and Catia). If you want to create an accurate 3D model of a Fiero to design new body panels, there is only one way to do it right. You need an unmolested Fiero and you need to have it CMM'd. First you would need to scan the car with the body panels on it as a reference for size/scale, then you would need to remove all the body panels (including the roof that is glued on) and scan all the conatct points where the body mounts or touches off on the birdcage. That is the only way to do this accurately, there is no other method that will provide the accuracy that is required for this.
[This message has been edited by lateFormula (edited 06-29-2023).]
To the OP - I am a CAD designer who has been using CAD software daily for the past 25 years (NX, ProE/Creo, SolidWorks, and Catia). If you want to create an accurate 3D model of a Fiero to design new body panels, there is only one way to do it right. You need an unmolested Fiero and you need to have it CMM'd. First you would need to scan the car with the body panels on it as a reference for size/scale, then you would need to remove all the body panels (including the roof that is glued on) and scan all the conatct points where the body mounts or touches off on the birdcage. That is the only way to do this accurately, there is no other method that will provide the accuracy that is required for this.
i am quite aware of that but as i dont really have the means to get the money for a 3d scanners which can go upwards of $20k the best i can do atm is create rough mockups then take measurements from my 87 gt to get a idea of where id have to be the whole for the screws/bolts hence why the main kits ill be designing are similiar to the pandem and shirokai body kits that exist for other cars where you attach them to the fenders. i would like to hear more about the method you just described though since itll be quite helpful if i can ever get my hands on a cmm machine (probably not gonna happen for a good while as they are really expensive) or a hand held 3d scanner. is there any videos out there that goes more in depth on how to use it?
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: Ok, I'll start looking right now. No idea where I put that stuff, but I'll try to look now. I definitely saved it, so I will get it eventually if not tonight.
I'd like to keep an eye on this post because I think getting CAD files available will keep the body kit design and production moving in the community. Certain Fab shops now a days have access to 3D scanners and could also create CAD files for particular areas that the community doesn't have right now.
this is another one of the main reasons i wanna get the chassis out there and create body kits for it, while the community for the fiero is still very much alive the aftermarket scene for it is very stagnant atm, not much that you can do unless youre making something completely from scratch other than the archie wide body and like 2 after market front bumpers aside from the two factory style front bumpers
I looked briefly last night (had a lot of school work to do), but couldn't find it.
I KNOW that I have it, but really won't have time to look for it until this weekend. But I absolutely will go through everything in that closet to look for it.
I'm in a meeting right now that I only tentatively need to pay attention in, so that's why I'm here posting, haha...
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: I looked briefly last night (had a lot of school work to do), but couldn't find it.
I KNOW that I have it, but really won't have time to look for it until this weekend. But I absolutely will go through everything in that closet to look for it.
I'm in a meeting right now that I only tentatively need to pay attention in, so that's why I'm here posting, haha...
**** ! No... sorry, I completely forgot to look. I had family over during the weekend. Damnit, I'm sorry... I completely forgot. I have so little time, but I will look... give me a couple of days. I have to figure out where it is. I'll find it.
something like this is perfect, i mainly had just simple images of the space frame this is even better. do you have any more pictures similiar to this for different parts of the space frame in more detail?
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: **** ! No... sorry, I completely forgot to look. I had family over during the weekend. Damnit, I'm sorry... I completely forgot. I have so little time, but I will look... give me a couple of days. I have to figure out where it is. I'll find it.
lol its fine dont put too much pressure on yourself to find it, this thread was originally meant for me to get images and references to model my own. though not having to model it at all would be nice heheha
lol its fine dont put too much pressure on yourself to find it, this thread was originally meant for me to get images and references to model my own. though not having to model it at all would be nice heheha
So, I did look... and actually, pretty upset (again).
I used to work for the Government, and I had to move every 3-4 years in what's called a PCS. The last move from Texas to Florida (during COVID), a lot of my stuff was stolen. You don't realize it because you don't always know what you're missing until you actually go look for it, and the people don't do a good job of cataloging all the boxes, nor do they give a crap. I had two enormous Case Logic 250+ CD / DVD sleeve cases where I had all of my CD-ROMs and DVDs from over the years. Basically every single game that I'd ever bought on CD since the beginning of time, plus all of my music. All of these are gone. I didn't realize it until I went looking.
This isn't the only thing that was stolen. They stole my Lexmark color laser jet printer, which I could honestly care less about because I could just buy another one. But the other thing they stole, which is completely irreplaceable... I had the entire "Perfect Season" for the Miami Dolphins... the ORIGINAL 16mm film reels from the team. They were given to me when I worked for the Miami Dolphins many years ago. Incidentally, during a move with Mayflower from the old St. Thomas facility to the NOVA Facility in Davie, FL.... that crate went missing. They found it decades later, and dropped it off at the facility. The video guy, Dave Hack said he didn't want it (unbelievable) and asked if I wanted it (along with a Sega Genesis that was in there for some reason). So I took them. I'd planned to get a 16mm projector and transpose them all to YouTube. This was literally film that no one has seen for almost 50 years. It was "team film" that was recorded on the sidelines and endzones. I had every game, except the Super Bowl (team doesn't record that game becasue there's no reason to).
Unbelievable... there's probably other things that I'm missing... but well... now I know that's missing too.
So, I did look... and actually, pretty upset (again).
I used to work for the Government, and I had to move every 3-4 years in what's called a PCS. The last move from Texas to Florida (during COVID), a lot of my stuff was stolen. You don't realize it because you don't always know what you're missing until you actually go look for it, and the people don't do a good job of cataloging all the boxes, nor do they give a crap. I had two enormous Case Logic 250+ CD / DVD sleeve cases where I had all of my CD-ROMs and DVDs from over the years. Basically every single game that I'd ever bought on CD since the beginning of time, plus all of my music. All of these are gone. I didn't realize it until I went looking.
This isn't the only thing that was stolen. They stole my Lexmark color laser jet printer, which I could honestly care less about because I could just buy another one. But the other thing they stole, which is completely irreplaceable... I had the entire "Perfect Season" for the Miami Dolphins... the ORIGINAL 16mm film reels from the team. They were given to me when I worked for the Miami Dolphins many years ago. Incidentally, during a move with Mayflower from the old St. Thomas facility to the NOVA Facility in Davie, FL.... that crate went missing. They found it decades later, and dropped it off at the facility. The video guy, Dave Hack said he didn't want it (unbelievable) and asked if I wanted it (along with a Sega Genesis that was in there for some reason). So I took them. I'd planned to get a 16mm projector and transpose them all to YouTube. This was literally film that no one has seen for almost 50 years. It was "team film" that was recorded on the sidelines and endzones. I had every game, except the Super Bowl (team doesn't record that game becasue there's no reason to).
Unbelievable... there's probably other things that I'm missing... but well... now I know that's missing too.
ah that sucks, im sorry to hear that, its unfortunate people are hella greedy like this. sadly ive been a tad bit too busy to work on the 3d model myself but i have started on my own fiero project which is nice, im swapping out the v6 for a 2,0l turbo buick engine, i got the engine out and currently am mocking things up before i start wiring and such, but since i have the engine out ill probably take some photos for reference for the 3d model i make, once done (not sure when thatll be) ill release it onto this forum for download ofc i cant garuntee itll be the most accurate thing since i dont have a 3d scanner or such but itll atleast give a rough idea of where things should be. again it could be weeks, or even months from now till i even get close to completing it, if anyone else has more images i can use that would be greatfull appreciated i hope there isnt much more of importance to you thats missing ------------------ an 18y/o who has a 1987 pontiac fiero GT in bright blue from factory, in the middle of swapping a 2.0l turbo buick 4cyl into it always eager to learn more from others so please do not hesitate to correct me or anything of the sort
[This message has been edited by Sir__Pumpkin (edited 01-08-2024).]
To the OP - I am a CAD designer who has been using CAD software daily for the past 25 years (NX, ProE/Creo, SolidWorks, and Catia). If you want to create an accurate 3D model of a Fiero to design new body panels, there is only one way to do it right. You need an unmolested Fiero and you need to have it CMM'd. First you would need to scan the car with the body panels on it as a reference for size/scale, then you would need to remove all the body panels (including the roof that is glued on) and scan all the conatct points where the body mounts or touches off on the birdcage. That is the only way to do this accurately, there is no other method that will provide the accuracy that is required for this.
Not quite.. Very few CMM this size even exist..
3D laser scanning is a better way to digitize/ reverse engineer something like this, and much cheaper. A CMM won't have the Z axis range to reach the highest to lowest points either
To the OP, while it is a great endeavour, you may want to do some market research before putting energy into this. Fiero vendors, , and especially kit cars have almost disappeared, as demand and supply are both shrinking every year. Very few people are interested in putting body kits on Fieros compared to 15-20 years ago, and this trend is unlikely to change. Just something to think about...
3D laser scanning is a better way to digitize/ reverse engineer something like this, and much cheaper.
That's right, very few CMM's of this size do exist. But I live in the Detroit area, and work for a multinational tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry. There's a small number of shops in town that have this capability. You would never try to purchase a CMM like this yourself - you rent time on one or pay a firm to do the scan for you, as they would have the experience and knowledge to complete the task in the least amount of time.
I never recommend laser scanning or white light scanning for anything. The output file from every one of these tools is an stl file, which is absolute garbage to try to make use of in any CAD program.
Without going to some fancy CMM stuff, there's probably some cheaper homebrew setup that is more in the desired price range.
I'm thinking of some sort of gantry steel frame setup that is bigger than the car, which can allow a point to move in XYZ axes.
Measuring displacements with measuring tapes is probably good enough.
You don't need a whole lot of measurement accuracy (probably +/- 0.5 mm is good enough for a lot of things), as much as you need a setup with a large measuring range.
