Bills Blog 10-25

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by thefro526

What about just posting a .stp of the field on their website?

Or would that make too much sense.

I'd prefer a .stp file as well, but I was thinking a .pdf as there are quite a few teams that don't CAD, and the dad's that usually build our field don't know how to run CAD.

But yeah, why not both? We can dream....

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

FIRST could fix this by providing a single drawing of the field with actual pertinent measurements for once (and not detailed drawings at the part level)... Oh boy, that would be nice... I'm clearly wishing for too much though

I sometimes dream about what this would be like. These are fantastic dreams.

-Brando

[Cory]

My entirely uninformed guess is that the cost of the satellite uplink probably became prohibitive.

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I'd prefer a .stp file as well, but I was thinking a .pdf as there are quite a few teams that don't CAD, and the dad's that usually build our field don't know how to run CAD.

But yeah, why not both? We can dream....

Well, I'm fairly sure that a 3D model of the field has to exist somewhere - or at least that's where I'd guess they make 2D drawings from, so why not post up that model as a .STP?

As far as 2D PDF drawings go, I believe they're drawn so that you can build the field, not to find critical dimensions. This could be solved by supplying a supplemental drawing titled 'critical dimensions' that shows all of the dimensions relevant to game play.

But that would probably make too much sense.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by thefro526

Well, I'm fairly sure that a 3D model of the field has to exist somewhere - or at least that's where I'd guess they make 2D drawings from, so why not post up that model as a .STP?

As far as 2D PDF drawings go, I believe their drawn so that you can build the field, not to find critical dimensions. This could be solved by supplying a supplemental drawing titled 'critical dimensions' that shows all of the dimensions relevant to game play.

But that would probably make too much sense.

Yeah, that's what gets me. They clearly have it modeled, is it too much to just do a "save as > .stp > upload"?

Bill Miller easily spent an hour in our pits at Vegas 2010 talking to me about what we though FIRST could do better. I only brought up a few points, and this was one of them for easily 15 minutes straight. He seemed very understanding and even agreed, so they can't say they're not aware of the demand.

[Alex.q]

As a member of a team in Minnesota, this doesn't really affect me too much. I don't really sympathize with anyone when they say they now won't get to see the full field for real because we never were able to see the whole thing until competition unless we built one ourselves.

However in regards to the CAD file of the field, I thought there already has been one for at least the past two years. I forget where the download is (nevermind, found it), but in the same place where we downloaded the CAD files of the KOP, there were files for the field. Maybe these aren't official though?
http://www.catalogds.com/db/service?d=first&c=browse

[MagiChau]

There was a model of the FRC 2011 field for PRO/E as part of their (PTC) library of part models for FIRST. http://www.catalogds.com/db/service?d=first&c=browse

[AdamHeard]

Alex and Magic, these models aren't available on kickoff (or even with a time near kickoff). That's where the real pain is, during the first few days of design and you want to know what the field dimensions are. We have to have a few talented kids spend an hour or so deciphering the official field drawings to get us numbers to work with, it's just a waste.

[MechEng83]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Alex and Magic, these models aren't available on kickoff (or even with a time near kickoff). That's where the real pain is, during the first few days of design and you want to know what the field dimensions are. We have to have a few talented kids spend an hour or so deciphering the official field drawings to get us numbers to work with, it's just a waste.

While I have shared the same frustration pointed out in the last few posts, I'd argue that this is good "real world" experience. Often times in industry, you'll have customer requirements/installation drawings, but no easily accessible 3D models of your product installation. You're given all the information you need, it's just not tied up in a pretty package with a bow on it.

That being said, if they've got the 3D model made, it makes sense to upload it for general use. The nice customers have installation CAD they share with you!

[steelerborn]

I am not really too upset. Let them try it this way they may add some things that we will come to like over the live stream.

As far as the field goes PTC had the files for the field up right away this year. I think I may have even opened it around the day after kickoff, because I was dropping some random base designs in there, KOP parts were also up. So I am not sure if SolidWorks does anything special like PTC does but it is a big bonus for all Pro/E teams.

[dag0620]

I was quite upset.

I was planning on attending this year, however now.... I don't think so.

Same thing as said before, I could understand, but tell me why!

Will HQ ever learn....

[Colin P]

They don't want to accidentally drop one of the cameras into the water and ruin the live feed. It's obvious.

[IndySam]

I'm really not going to miss the "live" part of the broadcast, I understand how the teams close by would be very disappointed but the vast majority of team members will never be able to attend. Perhaps it can be a better overall show.

I agree that I would like to learn more about why but perhaps they just wanted to get this news out quickly so teams could plan accordingly and the why will come later in a more polished way.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

And so comes the Amazonification of FRC.

But in all seriousness, I can never wait for the live feed to be over so I could start working on the robot anyway.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

And so comes the Amazonification of FRC.

But in all seriousness, I can never wait for the live feed to be over so I could start working on the robot anyway.

This is true, plus the seats in NH are terribly uncomfortable.