Show 3D Model on Windows Form in .Net (C#)?

owen_sparks

Hi folks.

Is anyone aware of a .NET Windows Forms Control that can display a 3D model?  (Step Parasolid etc.)

Ideally all I want a user to be able to do is spin the model round and zoom. 

There seem to be a bunch of widgets to design models in forms but I'm looking for a lighter viewer if possible.

Plan B is prerecorded spinning animation in a media player but that seems like a bit of a bodge.

Thanks all,

Owen S.

NeilCooke

Can't they just use a browser and view the Onshape model? 

owen_sparks

NeilCooke said:

Can't they just use a browser and view the Onshape model? 

Sure, I'll just need to put IR's into you good folks to cover the Automated Job Routing, Label Printing, Firmware Upload, Functional Testing and the like.  No rush, any time before next Friday is just fine...  (I want a singe application do do all things for all users.)

In all seriousness the correct way would be using your API to a configured assembly but I'm looking for something simpler for the first iteration.

Cheers, Owen S.

Jake_Rosenfeld

@owen_sparks

I did a search and found a few collada .net viewers.  Could you export as collada and use that?

owen_sparks

Thanks @Jake_Rosenfeld, appreciate you taking the time to have a look.  I'll go and have a read.

Cheers, Owen S.

john_mcclary

I haven't tried yet, but WPF C# will let you view STL or OBJ

owen_sparks

john_mcclary said:

I haven't tried yet, but WPF C# will let you view STL or OBJ

Thanks @john_mcclary, as it happens I'm looking at my first WPF tutorial at the moment.  (Damn-it, I almost know what I'm doing in winforms and am back to the "Hello World" stage  Oh well it's the future....)

Thanks fella,

Owen.

owen_sparks

On the plus side it makes featurescript look a lot more readable

john_mcclary

Yea, when i went WPF it was a little wierd, but once you learn it, it's very simple.

Doesn't do everything forms can, but you can always add that dll too

owen_sparks

Groovy, thanks for the reassurance that all will become clear

Gideon_Paull

A few years ago I created a project using WPF and C# for viewing 3D models. I'm pretty sure I used a library that I downloaded that read in and allowed you to manipulate OBJ files and even create assemblies out of them.
When using WPF don't think of windows forms at all. It is really designed to be programed with the MVVM pattern where the View is separated from the logic of the program. It takes some getting used to.

owen_sparks

Thanks @Gideon_Paull it's interesting for sure.

Was your application well received?

Cheers, Owen.