Anthony's Pro/Desktop, Exacto
and Meccano Resource
(STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
Next update: 1 weeks time. Scroll down while pic loads)
ProDesktop was used to create the above image
and can be used to draw model plans for Meccano models. Pro/Desktop
is a PC based computer program that allows very quick and intuitive
creation of 3 dimensional models with virtually no limitation
on detail. For instance, the above rendering has 2500+ parts,
with all screws and tapped bores fully threaded. Mechanically
if one linked part (for example the handlebars) are dragged to
a new position, other constrained parts follow.
The program is also useful to use as an assembly
environment for parts that have already been drawn. The program
website is http://www.ptc.com/
and the free download Pro/Desktop Express from http://www.ptc.com/community/free_downloads.htm
The free version allows the full functionality of the registered
version, except the files cannot be rendered/ray traced (the above
image is rendered/ray traced). At best they are gourad shaded
with no perspective, but this is still usable for assembly instructions.
Be warned, its a 36Mb download and may take some time. If you
dig around on the website, you will find Pro/Engineer available
as a full evaluation for non profit use. I have'nt tried it, but
you might be able to render/raytrace with that.
I have attached Exacto and Meccano part files
for free distribution. The progress to post parts has been painfully
slow since I wanted to make sure that all parts had the same colour,
had proper descriptions, version number etc.. In future there
will be a full text list of what parts are in which file (but
for the moment there may be gaps in the parts list). If a part
or various parts become available to fill the gaps, they will
be collected together and will form part of a special download
package.
Some important things to note:
Store all the parts in one common directory.
Some of the download parts have multiple components. For the sake
of uniformity, parts are labled for example 001_Perforated Strip
12.5in.des whereas a file forming part of a multiple component
like a 2" pulley might be multi-20a-one side of pulley.des.
Generally they decompress to 5 times the size.
After the part range there is a version number,
indicating the latest version of the part. The first "release"
is revision Zero (0). Part file numbers follow the convention
used by Exacto.
Parts are scaled up 100 times. This may at
first seem strange, but there is a reason. The Pro/Desktop 'Granite'
engine has difficulty with itty-bitty parts and tends to cut corners
by reducing the polygon count for small parts. Hence if parts
were left at 1:1 scale, they seem blocky, and circles are reduced
to polygons, sometimes right down to hexagons. Making them 100
times bigger guarantees that the polygon count is retained.
Not all parts are fully detailed with thread.
The thread that I have used is not the corect shape. Again, engine
problems. I will fix this in a future release. Not noticeable
unless you REALLY zoom in.
Colour scheme is zinc, blue and Liverpool yellow
(1970's). Anything else is up to you.
You will have to be patient with the updating
of the archive for diversity of parts, I am working from the start
to the end. Is there a single file for all the files download?
Not yet. In any event, my website will not store files > 4Mb.
Another important aspect of only keeping up-to-date
with revisions: A typical explanation of model assembley: Once
you have a complete collection of revision 0 part files, you create
a new model file. This file tends to be small, since it only contains
the positional information of parts. You can thus email an entire
model to someone else, along with parts that are unique to that
model.
Note that some parts can be "bent"
or changed to suit whatever is possible in real life. These wil
mostly be custom-drawn parts, but a "normal" example
of what is possible is part 215, 199, 200. These can be formed
to different diameters (not posted yet). By editing fields in
"variables" and you can for instance create an 8 hole
angle girder or any length you require. An important aspect when
using these parts is to copy them to a "specials" diresctory.
If you permanently alter the original part, its changes will be
propogates across all the models you have used the part in.
I would suggest scanning downloads with a virus
scanner before executing. There may be better tools, but a FREE
compression tool 7-Zip was used to compress the files to 1/5th
the size (some 1/10) of the original; available at http://www.7-zip.com
(WinZip only does 1/2.5 in comparison, and at best RAR 1/4).
|
Parts package |
Number of parts |
Size |
Description of Parts in file |
|
001-006b-0.exe |
15 Parts |
552 kB |
Perforated Strips |
|
007-009g-0.exe |
15 Parts |
1.7 MB |
Angle Girders |
|
010-020-0.exe |
26 Parts |
787 kB |
Brackets and Pulleys |
|
019-0.exe |
1 Part |
928 kB |
Spoked Wheel |
|
020a-024e-0.exe |
17 Parts |
900 kB |
Pulleys and Bush Wheels |
|
025-026m-0.exe |
12 Parts |
1.9 MB |
Pinions |
|
027-027c-0.exe |
4 Parts |
1.5 MB |
Gear Wheels |
|
027d-027g-0.exe |
3 Parts |
1.0 MB |
Gear Wheels |
|
027f-0.exe |
1 Part |
2.6 MB |
Multi Purpose Gear Wheel 14t. |
|
028-030c-0.exe |
5 Parts |
1.5 MB |
Contrates and Bevels |
|
031-036-0.exe |
5 Parts |
985 kB |
Worms, Spanner, Wire Screwdriver |
|
037-038d-0.exe |
13 Parts |
407 kB |
Nuts, Bolts (slotted), Washers, Spacers |
|
041-048d-0.exe |
10 Parts |
489 kB |
Double Angle Strips |
|
043-0.exe |
1 Part |
1.5 MB |
Tension Spring |
|
051-052a-0.exe |
6 Parts |
609 kB |
Flanged and Flat Plates |
|
052b-052f-0.exe |
5 Parts |
682 kB |
Flat Plates |
|
053-054a-0.exe |
4 Parts |
660 kB |
Flanged Plates and Flat Plates |
|
055-062g-0.exe |
16 Parts |
969 kB |
Slotted Strips, Cranks, Collars |
|
063-069b-0.exe |
9 Parts |
2.7 MB |
Couplings, Grub Screws |
|
070-077-0.exe |
21 Parts |
1.1 MB |
Flat Plates |
|
084-096a-0.exe |
15 Parts |
1.9 MB |
Curved Strips, Sprockets and chain |
|
097-100b-0.exe |
11 Parts |
1.0 MB |
Braced Girders. Shape of smaller ones flawed |
|
102-109b-0.exe |
20 Parts |
1.5 MB |
Flat Girders, Face Plates |
|
111-115a-0.exe |
15 Parts |
2 MB |
Bolts and Threaded Pins |
|
116-126a-0.exe |
14 Parts |
1.4MB |
Fork Pieces, Trunnions |
|
133-140-0.exe |
13 Parts |
1.8 MB |
Corner Brackets, Brassware, Universal coupling |
|
142b-0.exe |
1 Part |
750 kB |
Motor Tyre to fit 3" Pulley |
|
142b subcomponent.exe |
1 Part |
115kB |
Subcomponent reqd. for 142b to load properly |
|
147a-161-0.exe |
16 Parts |
2.2 MB |
Pawls, Pivot Bolts, Brackets, Fan |
|
161-161s-0.exe |
13 Parts |
2.0 MB |
L-Section Angle Girders (Exacto) |
|
162a-167d-0.exe |
9 Parts |
1.5 MB |
Boiler Ends, Toothed Quadrant, Quadrant Pinion |
|
168-179-0.exe |
10 Parts |
2.7 MB |
Flanged Rings, Toothed discs, brassware |
|
180-0.exe |
1 Part |
1.0 MB |
Gear Ring, 133t external, 95t internal |
|
188-197-0.exe |
23 Parts |
1 MB |
Flexible Plates |
|
212-242r-0.exe |
51 Parts |
1.7 MB |
Triangular Plates, Narrow Strips, Obtuse Girders |
|
251-251g-0.exe |
7 Parts |
2.5 MB |
Toothed Discs: 152t, 133t, 95t, 60t, 57t, 55t |
|
252-260d-0.exe |
29 Parts |
1.3 MB |
5/16" system parts, wide strip plates |
|
261-262-0.exe |
12 Parts |
1.5 MB |
Cylindrical Girders, 1/2" |
|
264-265-0.exe |
12 Parts |
1.4 MB |
Cylindrical Girders, 11/16" |
|
267e-271-0.exe |
13 Parts |
1.9 MB |
Large Circular disc, Cylindrical Girders,
1" |
|
273a-273e-0.exe |
6 Parts |
414 kB |
Curved Narrow Strips |
|
Crane motor.exe |
1 Part |
644 kB |
Yellow Crane motor |
|
M5 powerdrive.exe |
1 Part |
1.8 MB |
M5 Powerdrive with 6 speed gearbox |
|
Total parts uploaded |
483 Parts |
56.8MB |
|
|
Total parts drawn |
495 Parts |
..... |
|
|
Excel listing |
|
|
Excel Parts Listing. Shows contents of files |
The above list does include limited parts from the
clock kit, electronics and Elektrikit. I will be zipping parts
together for each theme set.
Remember that to load the parts above you will have
to visit http://www.ptc.com/community/free_downloads.htm
for Pro Desktop Express (34MB)
Wish list for future parts (still to be drawn and
left out in above table):
19c, 27k, 65, 41, 44, var 57, 61, 80 series, 122, 101,
106, 110, 113, 123,128, 130, 130a, 134, 138, 142a,c,d, 153, 162,
168f, 168g, 186 series, 185, 187, 199, 200, 211 series, 243, 244-246a.
Steam Engine. Drawn, but not posted yet: Clockwork motor#1. "Specials"
including pre-drawn, warped plates, strips, etc..
If you need to get hold of me, my e-mail
addresses are:
I can't guarantee a fast reply since
I only check e-mails weekly.
Meccano is a registered trademark of
Meccano SN, Avenue de Saint Exupéry, 62100 CALAIS-FRANCE
("the Company"). Many models and component parts shown
here ("the work") may incorporate original designs which
are protected by copyrights, trademarks or design legislation.
The work shown here is in no way related to the on goings with
the Company. The work here is in no way related to the on goings
of PTC or its affiliates. Parts shown are not intended as identical
or replicas of original parts, and may have been modified, either
for effect or enhancement. However, parts illustrated may still
be considered a fair representation of the originals, but only
in an attempt to illustrate or convey an idea or concept using
those parts, adding value to the hobby. Views expressed here may
not be expressly in accordance with those of Meccano SN.Exacto
is a registered trademark. Pro/Desktop is a registered trademark
of the Parametric Technology Corporation. No part files are to
be used/exported to other CAD programmes, without full credit
to this author. Part files may not be distributed nor used commercially
without PRE-ARRANGED compensaton for the author.Published model
plans are permitted to use part files to create models, providing
that they are profit free. Part files may not form part of a compilation
or bundling of promotional or free merchandise and/or Software.
Stand alone copies of parts can however be made on a private basis
and distributed FOR THE COST OF A CD+POSTAGE AND NOT A PENNY MORE.
The author might however be persuaded
to send a CD copy Internationally+express. Strange as it seems,
that is A WHOLE LOT of time on my part, costing you 18 Pounds
sterling. Its a whole lot cheaper downloading it. Local (as in
Johannesburg) copies will be cheaper.
Drawing up all the parts takes up a
surprising amount of time, and time is money. If you feel a compelling
urge to compensate the author for his efforts, feel free to donate
a monetary amount to your favourite charity instead. You could
of course donate any special parts you wish to be drawn to the
author...
Inquire within for commisioned work
in Pro Desktop.
According to 
you are unique visitor number
since 3 February 2003
This site was last updated: 23h59 on
26/02/2003 and daily with new partfile uploads as/when processed.
