We all know how confusing it can be to do modeling for 3D printing. In 3D modeling, just like 3D printing, there is no one-size-fits-all methodology. We use different tools and software, print in various materials, and rely on various printers and printing accessories to make things work. So it’s completely okay to feel lost and troubled while creating an ideal 3D model for 3D printing at times.
This is the reason we’ve assembled a definitive list of five mistakes you need to avoid while turning a 3D model into a 3D print. Let’s get started:
DOs and DON’Ts of 3D Printing:
1. Never Overlook Material Guidelines.
Every single printing material is unique. Materials can be fragile or solid, adaptable or static, smooth or unpleasant, heavyweight or lightweight, etc. This additionally implies an object needs to be designed for specific material. For instance, in case you have to print your 3D printed statue or a model in Steel, there will be explicit design recommendations based on the material you have to consider.
Your choice of printing material pre-decides a crucial part of the basic design guidelines that you have to adhere to during the entire process.
Every 3D printing material is extraordinary. Go through the design guides of the preferred material before starting your experiment with different 3D printed STL files.
2. Don’t Ignore Printing Technology.
Always remember that it’s not only the basic chemical characteristics of our printing materials that are different in nature but also the tools and technologies used for printing such materials. The best case of this is interlocking parts; in materials like ABS, Alumide, Polyamide, or Rubber-like – you can print interlocking parts. However, in others like Bronze, Gold, Resin, or Silver – this is beyond the realm of imagination. The reason behind this isn’t simply the material, but the technology used for printing these materials.
There’s a different approach to work with 3D print STL files and then 3D printed statues, 3D miniature models, and other printable files. So always refer to the printing guidelines and technology required for your choice of files.
3. Disregarding the Wall Thickness.
Despite that you can find details about the wall thickness in the shared guidelines, it always profits to pay more attention to this point. Issues arising out of wall thickness are among the most well-known reasons why some 3D print statues and models are not printable. At times, wall thickness is too flimsy to handle. Walls that are too flimsy make little parts on the model unable to be printed or fragile and could sever without any problem. In different cases, walls that are too thick produce a lot of inside pressure and could make the thing split or even break in a moment.
That is why getting the correct wall thickness is critical for a perfect print.
4. Focus on File Resolution.
Have you read the design guides properly? Do you know your material? Is the wall thickness alright? If the answer is yes, then it’s great. But there is something else to consider: file resolution.
For fruitful 3D printing, the common and widely used file resolution is STL (Standard Triangle Language). It means your design will be changed into triangles inside a 3D space. Most 3D printing software in the market has the option to send your designs to a 3D STL file and set the ideal resolution.
5. Not Following Software Guidelines.
There is a wide range of 3D modeling software packages out there. Some are intended for making 3D printed STL files, others are for the most part used by 3D specialists and their designs call for extra editing before they can offer a printable 3D model. For instance, applying a wall thickness is automated in certain projects, while you should set it manually in others.
Whether you use a beginner-level software that was meant for only 3D Printing (for example Tinkercad), you may still find it challenging to make a hollow model. For this, free software can help!
Read the product guidelines for transforming a model into a 3D print. In case you can’t find them on the official sites, you can always google for tutorials or refer to sites that deal in 3D printed statues and STL files.