Mesh Setting for 3D Printing

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeannye L Dudley on March 3, 2014 at 1:00pm

Thanks I will watch this vimeo.

Permalink Reply by martyn hogg on March 3, 2014 at 2:26pm

I don't think you need worry about these settings in Rhino at all. Your mesh will most likely need to be converted to .STL format which will have a load more settings too. (I wouldn't worry too much about these either!)

There is software available that will repair your STL mesh and prepare it for printing (make sure there are no holes in the mesh and that it is manifold and oriented), then it is down to the slicing software to turn the mesh into slices that match the resolution of the 3d printer and create the G-Code instructions that control the printer while it prints.

Have a look at the Netfabb software - the free version is good for making sure your mesh is valid and will make sense to the slicing software.

An STL file that has been repaired by the Netfabb software will be fine for printing by any of the online professional 3d printing services or even on a cheap, home 3d printer!

Permalink Reply by Jeannye L Dudley on March 3, 2014 at 6:21pm

Thanks really clear. Went to the site and downloaded the free version.

Permalink Reply by martyn hogg on March 5, 2014 at 12:00pm

yes, Marcus is right here... it is probably worth checking curved edges do not end up too faceted (a circular hole in a model will be a polygon hole with n sides determined by how fine the mesh is), but this does not effect how suitable the mesh is for 3d printing really.