Avoid mistakes that occur when designing 3D files for 3D printing on Catia V5

3D scanning and 3D printing are increasingly linked technologies, there are specific tools in CATIA to transform a 3D scan into a printable model. For this you have to go into the “Digitized Shape Editor” workbench that is in the “shape” menu.

Summary​

1. Catia V5 Models: Design a printable 3D file

  • 1.1. Model a correct closed volume
  • 1.2. Solid modeling : « Part Design » Workbench
  • 1.3. Surface modeling : "Generative Shape Design" (GSD) workbench
  • 1.4. Hollowing your model
  • 1.5. Text and patterns
  • 1.6. Mobile parts and assemblies
  • 1.7. Colors and textures for a full color 3D print

2. Manage and export valid 3D files for 3D printing from Catia V5

  • 2.1. Measuring elements and distances
  • 2.2. Mesh generation
  • 2.3. Mesh analysis
  • 2.4. Choose a file format and export your model
  • 2.5. Useful tools
  • 2.6. Heavy file
  • 2.7. Hole filling
  • 2.8. Thickness
  • 2.9. Normal orientation
  • 2.10. Triangle orientation
  • 2.11. Non-manifold edges/vertices
  • 2.12. Self-intersections
  • 2.13. Multishell files

3. Avoid mistakes that occur when designing 3D files for 3D printing on Catia V5

  • 3.1. "Filter" Tool
  • 3.2. "Mesh creation" tool

This tool provides an easy and precise way to reduce the number of points from the scan (to reduce the file size). A green sphere appears, and represents the difference between two points. The higher the value, the greater the distance between two points and therefore the lower the number of points in the mesh will be.

CATIA_47_7Mfh0dx.jpg 

After filtering, you obtain a lighter with a reduced number of points, which will depend on the size of the filter you applied.

CATIA_48_betHfg9.jpg 

Creating a mesh from a point cloud operates in the same way as earlier, by clicking on “mesh creation”, followed by setting the SAG depending on the desired level of accuracy.

CATIA_49_oBFyOex.jpg

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