Proper modeling for 3D Printing question
Hey guys, I have a question about a freelance gig I may be picking up soon. A high profile client may want me to model something SIMILAR to this (this is ripped from my portfolio) with the intention of 3D Printing it. Now they told me they don't know the work flow but will expect me to.
Keep in mind, I'm not actually printing this model, but I was told to expect what I will be hypothetically building to have a similar level and detail, with exposed bolts and everything.
Now I have a couple of questions.
I saw this posted in a different thread. http://www.cadspan.com/info
This company will generate an entirely new mesh by "shrinkwrapping" what you send them. This appears to be the ideal way to go, as expecting me to model something with that much detail as one contiguous mesh is just absurd.
However, the company may decide to go cheap and tell me that I need to provide the mesh myself, and won't pay for CADspan's conversion.
If this is the case, what else are my options?
I would say that modeling something like that as one contiguous mesh is next to impossible. Are there any advanced boolean tools I can use?
How about the new Zbrush exporter? Can I import the high res mesh from max/maya into zbrush, and then export it out?
I'm just trying to plan ahead and prepare for the worst...CADspan is definitely the way to go but I need a plan B.
Thanks guys!
Keep in mind, I'm not actually printing this model, but I was told to expect what I will be hypothetically building to have a similar level and detail, with exposed bolts and everything.
Now I have a couple of questions.
I saw this posted in a different thread. http://www.cadspan.com/info
This company will generate an entirely new mesh by "shrinkwrapping" what you send them. This appears to be the ideal way to go, as expecting me to model something with that much detail as one contiguous mesh is just absurd.
However, the company may decide to go cheap and tell me that I need to provide the mesh myself, and won't pay for CADspan's conversion.
If this is the case, what else are my options?
I would say that modeling something like that as one contiguous mesh is next to impossible. Are there any advanced boolean tools I can use?
How about the new Zbrush exporter? Can I import the high res mesh from max/maya into zbrush, and then export it out?
I'm just trying to plan ahead and prepare for the worst...CADspan is definitely the way to go but I need a plan B.
Thanks guys!
Replies
The work flow we've been sticking to is simply:
1 - make sure there are no open edges
2 - if you're using floating geometry, make sure they collide into the surface
3- delete anything that is just going to get broken off (the antenna and wires on yours for example)
4 - Re-enforce anything that looks like it might get broken off but is critical to the object (we'd often just float some extra cubes or cylinders to give things more of a connection into the main body)
5 - Try to hollow it out as much as you can while keeping it strong if its bring printed with the plaster/powder printer (the material is more expensive). Plastic prints are cheaper and have different automatic options for how much material is used inside the print, but plaster prints are solid.
Cost things, like hollowing out areas may also be important to the client. Since the less material used = better
really just everything cryid said, he hit some great points!
thanks!
teh cabels on the side wouldnd seem critical to me, if they would be intersecting with the tank itself
You can, but expect to be doing a whole lot of tedious cleanup.
STL Check is you're friend (in Max anyway haha), you can also use Mesh lab, it has tool to check your mesh for printing...
We generate all our .STL files using Deep Exploration then check to make sure everything is air tight in magics, though that not the cheapest software to have access to.
There are stl editors that do a pretty darn good job of "booleaning" incredibly detailed meshes together, but they are tremendously expensive. For your workflow it would be better to use a service bureau with a lot of experience in that sort of thing and just pay the hourly rate. As noted above, magics and deep exploration are a powerful combo, but you would need to do a lot of 3d printing to warrant their purchase.
or
You can use cadspan. There is a free trial that you can use to find the appropriate settings for the tank you have pictured, which will give you the knowledge needed to use cadspan for your production part. There are single use and monthly pricing options that will likely come out to less than 1% of the 3d production budget so it should not be a problem to price the usage in to the model.
or/and
You should determine the material/resolution needed for your final 3d print and find a service bureau that will print the final part. have a conversation with them about what their requirements are for a print. Some printers will allow multiple shells, allowing you to create everything as separate components and the parts will simply fuse in the printer. Some printers will not allow this.
Note: there are other considerations that need to be factored in. Interior volumes need to be solid, normals must all point outward, no holes or gaps (the part(s) must be water tight), and many printers will not allow coincident or intersecting triangles. The cadspan team is currently writing code to automatically address all of these issues to make 3d printing accessible to all markets.
A great number of these issues can be checked bu uploading your data to a service provider like shapeways. They have an automated system that helps check files. I have only used it once, but it seems like a pretty easy verification system and also has automated pricing.
I hope this helps. If not, let me know where I can clarify details for you and I will.