Filling voids in first layer

[jharman 0]

I am importing an STL file generated from Sketchup online which has a frame with vertical sidewall, very simple print.  For some reason I can't figure out, when I import the STL it shows a grey skin and a solid first layer on the inside of the frame, but in the SKP file it is an open void space in the frame.  Any ideas out there?

[gr5 2,269]

Oh god.  Sketchup isn't very good for modeling solids but it's possible.  Sketchup is better for virtual walk throughs.  Anyway  I recommend reading this:

https://i.materialise.com/blog/3d-printing-with-sketchup/

 

First of all I already see the gray/blue areas in your sketchup screenshot is typically the *inside* surface so I would select all those, right click, and reverse the surfaces so they are white.  That alone might be enough.  also look at it in cura "xray view" which shows problem areas in red.  There might be a double wall between the blue portion and the white portion of your print.  Thirdly you can play with the "repair mesh" settings in cura.  First try unchecking all of the repair options, then play with checking a few of them.

 

Finally if none of this is helping, try sending your model through netfabb free repair web page.  It's very simple.  But best to fix the model in sketchup.

https://service.netfabb.com/login.php

[nick-s 0]

There are lots of other free CAD programmes available that may be better for you than Sketchup.

 

I started with Design Spark Mechanical from RS Components. Take a look at these two suggestions:

 

https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/mechanical-software

 

https://www.tinkercad.com/