Metadata is most often used to store real-world information about the mechanical part or architectural element that the asset represents, such as the cost of the piece, the material it's made of, physical properties like its weight or insulation efficiency, or usage information like the maximum torque to apply to a part. The Datasmith importer can automatically bring in metadata about the objects it handles: information that you set up for those objects in your 3D design or CAD application. My models finally printed correctly, but if I want to continue refining my designs I have no choice but to painstakingly port the work over to another CAD program.įrom that moment on I started learning Fusion 360 and use Tinkercad.Accessing Metadata in Blueprint and Python
#Sketchup make an object solid free#
Rather than spend time redesigning the footrests in Fusion 360 (a high-end and free to many CAD program), I ran my broken STL files through the free Netfabb Online Service which repairs 3D meshes. Later, when I switched from Cura to Simplif圓D for slicing my models, I noticed that the geometry of the footrests was broken. Since I was new to 3D printers, I assumed that either the printer was faulty or I was using it incorrectly. When it came time to print my models on my Monoprice Select Mini v2 3D printer, I experienced all kinds of problems. I used SketchUp to design footrests for my Herman Miller Mirra chair. The problem is that the practice doesn't guarantee a good print and further compounds users' confusion. That's because some slicers, such as Cura, hide geometry problems in an attempt, I think, to be more user friendly. They will swear to you that it worked fine in their slicer. In fact, most people who use SketchUp to design 3D objects are unaware that there are problems with the models they are exporting. What's worse is that SketchUp doesn't give the user any clue that something is wrong, nor does it provide any tools to repair faulty geometry. Even if you're not an expert in CAD or 3D printing, it's easy to spot the differences between the good model and the bad model. The second image is of the same original source model edited in Tinkercad (a really great and free online CAD tool), output as an STL file and then visualized in Simplif圓D. SketchUp created 3D geometry that looks great on screen, but which can't be replicated as a physical object. What you're seeing is an unprintable 3D model. There are holes in some surfaces, surfaces that jut out at strange angles and areas which should be voids are filled in. You'll notice right away that something looks very wrong. The visualization is of a 3D model which was edited in SketchUp to shorten one of its parts and then output as an STL file. The first image below is a screenshot from the layer visualization panel in Simplif圓D, a fantastic, if pricey, slicing program. Slicers also allow you to visualize the layers of a 3D print.
#Sketchup make an object solid how to#
Gcode files contain instructions that tell a 3D printer how to print an object (coordinates, speeds, amount of material, etc). A slicer is a program that takes STL files and converts them into gcode files for a specific 3D printer. Both images are screenshots from Simplif圓D, an excellent and popular slicer. The two images below illustrate the problem I'm talking about. The way that it let you extrude surfaces and position objects in 3D space was really revolutionary.Īnd it's still great today, but only if you intend to display your designs on screens or on paper. Unfortunately, for all its design prowess, SketchUp produces faulty, unprintable STL files (the most common file type used by 3D printers). It's easy to use and when it first came out (and Google eventually bought it), it was way ahead of its time. I used it for many years to help me visualize DIY designs. Better choices are the amazing Tinkercad (an online and free tool) or the hardcore Fusion 360 (free to many).
Some slicers (programs used to generate special 3D-printable gcode files) will not complain about SketchUp files, though many will, including Simplif圓D.ĭon't use SketchUp for designing objects you expect to 3D print. Unfortunately, for all its design prowess, SketchUp produces faulty, unprintable STL files (the most common file type used by 3D printers). That's not a problem if all you're doing is showing a client a design or creating an animation - but it's a huge problem if your intention is to print your model in 3D. However, while the objects that it creates look solid, many are not. SketchUp is great in many ways, especially for creating architectural and construction models.
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