How to fill an STL ?

[makingzone 2]

I'm trying to fill an STL file to 3D print. I tried with Netfabb, Meshlab, but I don't find the solution. Do you know how can I do that ?

 

[valcrow 144]

Can you be more specific in regards to 'filling' the object?

-is the object currently a shell?

-are there holes in the mesh?

what kind of filling do you want to accomplish?

 

[makingzone 2]

The object is a Shell.

For example, imagine a box with a ball inside. And I want to fill my stl to print only the exterior shell (not the ball) my model is more complexe with screw and other useless things inside...

[yzorg 9]

So you want to print a hollow object.

a cube with a smaller sphere subtracted from it.

If this is done correctly in a 3D software... Boleean operations.. A+B A-B...

The 3D Printer shoud also understand it the same way. it should print correct.

However, if your 3D mesh has some holes in it or other flaws. lets say if the cube and sphere touch each other. This can make things difficult.

Most 3D Printsoftware try to repair things but they also can fail...

 

[valcrow 144]

Sounds like you should just be able to import the object in your 3d package, delete the interior objects (sphere) in sub-object mode, and then shell the outer cube if you want it hollow.

If they're 'touching' somewhere it becomes a bit more difficult. hard to tell for sure without seeing it. But it should be just a matter of deleting the middle stuff.

 

[makingzone 2]

Ok it´s look complicated. The stl file is a watch case with the mecanisum inside, Cura slice all components and make the print impossible. That's why I wanted to fill the stl to have only the solid case (not hollowed) to print it easily...

[valcrow 144]

So there's two ways depending on your software.

-Delete everything inside the object in sub-object mode. (if nothing is touching the edge)

-Make a rough object that encompasses the inside, so that it's inbetween the outer shell and the stuff you want to get rid of and boolean it together.

1st method is obviously preferable if possible.

 

[peggyb 169]

or you could try cure 13.06..

under the expert settings: fix horrible

Daid showed us that you can try different options, A or B, and the other settings

then check your layers if it worked, or not..

don't forget to uncheck them if you're done

 

[makingzone 2]

or you could try cure 13.06..

under the expert settings: fix horrible

Daid showed us that you can try different options, A or B, and the other settings

then check your layers if it worked, or not..

don't forget to uncheck them if you're done

 

You're my god !!!!! (after Daid of course)

I tried a billion stuffs to make that with free software. The model was too complexe to do that manually. And the solution was as simple as check the right box (Type A work perfectly)...

Do you know the difference between A and B ?

Edit: Type B too

 

[Daid 303]

Difference between typeA and typeB is that typeA tries to keep some holes, while typeB will always get rid of all internal holes no matter what.

This is exactly what the "Fix horrible" was designed to do, make models printable that would have been horrible to fix otherwise :-)

 

[peggyb 169]

look at:http://blog.ultimaker.com/2013/06/24/ulti-evening-first-part-david-braam-on-cura/

starts at about 15 minutes...