It is important to consider the best orientation when printing to minimise these structures because wastage is wastage! The support structures should break off cleanly at the end when printing is complete. The print process works by building up layers of material so where there are holes or gaps in your model, you may require the addition of rafts and little support structures which help you bridge over these gaps. There is some preparation involved in setting up the print that you need to consider. Simply import the STL file into this program and set up/orient your 3d model onto the virtual printer base. My printer came with Makerbot print software which is very easy to use. UPDATE 16/6/17 - You no longer need to download this extension because the ability to export STL files has been incorporated into the base program.Īfter exporting your model file to STL format, you need to load it into the proprietary printing software that came with your printer. STL files are a common file type for 3d printing and you will need to install an STL exporting plugin which is readily available from the Extensions Warehouse. What you have to do is transfer your 3d model from Sketchup to the 3d printer by first converting your file into a compatible 3d printing format. Depending on scale, the printer will print quite fine details in your model like shadow lines, so don’t hold back on detailing your model with corrugations, brick patterns and other details. When modelling, I found that it is best to work in solid groups because the printer utility recognises these and automates most of the model formatting. In terms of turning your Sketchup objects into 3d prints, it is actually very easy. See photos of these examples on the page. It also has a dual nozzle allowing the you the option to print different colours simultaneously and it comes with a heated building platform which is important when the printer puts down the first rows of your model onto the build surface.Īfter assembling the printer and calibrating the building platform with the printing head, I created a few objects for test printing, including a small 2cm cube and my Sketchup Training logo which I spray painted grey as a bit of a trial. I chose this particular printer for its good reviews, substantial user base and the fact that this is a rebadged version of a much more expensive Makerbot printer, making it very good value for money. I recently acquired a Qidi Tech 1 3d printer from for a little bit under AU$1000 which arrived at my doorstep at lightning speed.
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