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Hi,

I’d like to install a double din radio in my car but I can nowhere get a frame to cover around it. Original stock radio is not rectangular but slightly oval. The car is 2007 Chrysler Pacifica. Is there a way to print the missing element? How do I measure it? Should I use some 3D scanner first?

May I ask for some tips?

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You need a camera, scale(ruler), tape, picture frame, bamboo skewer and a clothes pin. Tape the scale as close to the opening as you can so the markings on the scale are visible. Take a picture of the opening straight on as far away as practical and zoom in to fill the screen as much as possible.Make sure the scale is visible in the photo when you take it. Being far away reduces errors due to parallax (off angle and different depth features). Use the picture to take your measurements. If you have photoshop you can scale the picture directly and then create a path that can be exported to various drawing programs. If not print the picture out and draw two lines at 90 degrees to each other on the picture. Cut out the picture of the scale and use it as a ruler to take measurements from the lines to features you need to reproduce. Create the 3D model from the measurements. To get depth information mount the picture frame over the opening. Mark the top and bottom sides of the frame with divisions matching the scale. Take another picture to record the location references. Now hold the scale flat against the frame lining it up with the marks on the frame and over the feature you need a depth measurement for. Clip the clothes pin over the bamboo skewer in the small notch so it will slide but hold position. Holding the clothes pin/skewer against the scale push the skewer down until it touches the feature you want to measure. Lift the skewer/clothes pin off and measure the distance from tip of skewer to the clothes pin. Record all three locations. The location of the scale on the frame, the distance from the skewer to the frame the distance from the tip of the skewer to the clothes pin. These are your X, Y and Z coordinates. Make sure to take enough Z measurements to build a good 3D shape. If you have a contoured surface take measurements every couple of centimeters. Take direct measurements of things like mounting bosses or features you need to clear. I have used this method many times and it works amazing well.

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Thanks a lot! Will try it.