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 Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
$endgroup$
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 Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
$endgroup$
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 Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
$endgroup$
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 Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
asked Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
asked Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
asked Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
asked Jan 18 at 9:27
Andrea RichardsAndrea Richards
534
534
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
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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 Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
Jan 18 at 13:44
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 Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
Jan 18 at 13:44
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 Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
Jan 18 at 13:44
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 Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
$endgroup$
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 Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
edited Jan 18 at 14:16
answered Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
answered Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
answered Jan 18 at 10:32
batFINGERbatFINGER
23.4k42671
23.4k42671
$begingroup$
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
Jan 18 at 13:44
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
Jan 18 at 13:44
$begingroup$
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
Jan 18 at 13:44
$begingroup$
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
Jan 18 at 13:44
add a comment |
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