SpaceClaim tutorial: Prepare your model for 3D Printing with SpaceClaim

This SpaceClaim tutorial is aimed at 3D printing enthusiasts who are already familiar with SpaceClaim and would like to learn how to create and repair objects for additive manufacturing on SpaceClaim. Throughout this 3D design tutorial, you will learn the best practices for modeling, correcting and exporting an object to be 3D printed. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have mastered 3D printing prep with this 3D design software. You will learn how to: Then, you will be able to upload your 3D file on our website and 3D print it!
Upload a design

SpaceClaim is a game changer in the 3D CAD industry. This 3D design software is intuitive, easy to use and shortens modeling times a lot. It is also quite adapted to additive manufacturing since objects are created from volumes and not surfaces. In the latest version of SpaceClaim, there is a new STL editing tool that we are also going to review in this tutorial. 

This 3D modeling software is mainly used for engineering design, especially for electronic components. It is very useful for product development, thanks to its many simulation driven features. 

To understand this tutorial, mastering the SpaceClaim basics is required but it is very easy to learn how to use SpaceClaim’s 3D tools as it is a very intuitive 3D CAD software. It’s absolutely not reserved for engineers and designers and a couple of hours are enough to handle the software’s basics and be able to create your own CAD models. To help you get started with model prep, design automation, and the 3D modeling technology itself, tutorials can be found on the SpaceClaim Tutorial page of their web site.

Ansys SpaceClaim is a commercial software but you can ask for a 15 days trial. Educational Licenses are also available with discounts. All info to be found on the purchase page.

Summary​

1. Model for 3D Printing with SpaceClaim

  • 1.1. Create Parts that Match Material Minimal Thickness Guidelines
  • 1.2. Associate One Solid with One Component
  • 1.3. Avoid Creating Intersecting Objects
  • 1.4. Avoid Creating Non Manifold Components
  • 1.5. Avoid Creating Cantilevered Objects
  • 1.6. Shell Objects
  • 1.7. Add Text
  • 1.8. Create Interlocking parts (Only possible for plastic, resin and alumide materials)
  • 1.9. Combine Solids

2. Analyze and Export your 3D Model with SpaceClaim

  • 2.1. Convert a File toa STL and Check the Mesh
  • 2.2. Adjust the Mesh
  • 2.3. Check Mesh
  • 2.4. Export, Upload and Review
  • 2.5. Best Practices when Modeling for 3D Printing

3. Repair an STL File for 3D Printing

  • 3.1. Check Mesh
  • 3.2. Separate Parts
  • 3.3. Repair Non Manifold Parts
  • 3.4. Repair Intersection Issues
  • 3.5. Spot and Fix Modeling Errors

4. Turn a 3D Scan into a Printable Model

  • 4.1. Thicken a Mesh
  • 4.2. Solve Intersection Issues
  • 4.3. Repair on Sculpteo.com
  • 4.4. Solve Intersection Issues
  • 4.5. Adjust Mesh
  • 4.6. Online Hollowing
Tutorial Part #2