Analyze and Export your 3D Model with SpaceClaim

In this part, we are going to convert the previously created model to an STL file, check the mesh and upload it to Sculpteo.com. 

Please note that the .STL format only contains information about the 3D geometry. You are unable to use it to import or export colors or textures.  

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

First, we convert solids to meshes thanks to the Convert tool in the Facets tab, Create section. 

SpaceClaim-24-Convert.jpg 

Then, we use the Check Mesh tool in the CleanUp section to make sure that there are no problems in our model. The tool indicates that there are no geometry issues found.

SpaceClaim-25-Check.jpg

It is possible to control the mesh precision and meshing options thanks to the tools in the Adjust Section.

Here, the arch is not detailed enough.

SpaceClaim-26-Adjusting.jpg  

So we use the Smooth tool to make it more detailed.   

SpaceClaim-27-Adjusting.jpg

To make sure that all the parts are thick enough, we use the Thickness Analysis tool with a 1.2mm threshold. It indicates in red the critical parts.

SpaceClaim-28-Checking_Thickness.jpg

The minimal thickness for flexible plastic is 0.8 mm. But the Measure tool in the Measure tab indicates that our design is 1 mm thick so we will  keep it like this.

SpaceClaim-29-Checking_Thickness.jpg

You can retrieve the full printing guidelines for each material on our material page.

We can now export our design as an STL file to print it! Just hit the Export button in the Create section and name your design.

When uploading your designs to Sculpteo.com, please take care to select the appropriate multi-part option: here, because of the sphere, we need to choose single object. Otherwise, the sphere will be printed as a separate part, out of its box, which is obviously not what we want.

SpaceClaim-29-Checking_Thickness_tzET28K.jpg

Our design is shown and if we use the online reviewing tools, we can confirm that the solidity of our  model is fine.


SpaceClaim-31-Export_1.jpg

Now you know how to model on SpaceClaim for 3D Printing!

Here is a summary of the best practices when modeling on SpaceClaim for 3D Printing

  •  Be careful with minimum thickness of each material 
  • One solid = One component 
  • Be careful not to create non manifold parts (zero volume surfaces, edges, …) 
  • Be careful with cantilevered pieces, use supports 
  • Respect minimum distances and thicknesses when adding text 
  • Create one final component for each part 
  • Check your stl file 
  • For multi parts objects, choose the right upload option
 
SpaceClaim-32-Best_practices.jpg


Don’t forget to if you want to save money, you can also shell the non critical parts.

If you want to learn more about an object that has not been properly modeled please check out the next part of our tutorial.

Tutorial Part #3