This guide walks through 15 pro tips for both beginner and advanced users to empower designers to change their 3D models with this versatile software.<\/p>\n
Looking for a 3D printer to realize your 3D models? Learn more about stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing<\/a>, the choice of professionals for high detail models with a smooth surface finish.<\/em><\/p>\n At the start of a project, choose a file format that can comprehensively describe the design while suiting the intended applications and minimizing the need for file conversions. Meshmixer will read numerous 3D file types, such as STL, OBJ, PLY, and some lesser-known formats; AMF, 3MF, OFF, and the native MIX format. For exporting designs to a different format, Meshmixer also supports Collada, VRML, and Smesh.<\/p>\n Before modifying a part, make sure to optimize its triangulation. In our example, we picked a model of the Venus of Milo<\/a> that has an uneven distribution of triangles plus some split and collapsed triangles. With Meshmixer, you can create an even tessellation using the Remesh command.<\/p>\n Click the Select<\/em> Icon in the menu and click to create an area to be remeshed, or use Ctrl + A<\/em> to select the entire object. On the Popup menu, click Edit \u2192 Remesh<\/em> or hit R<\/em>. There are several Remesh Modes:<\/p>\n Note that the Regularity<\/em> setting creates more equilateral triangles but sacrifices more detail. The Transition <\/em>setting creates a gradual transition from the original mesh to the remeshed section. With Preserve Group Boundaries<\/em> checked the program maintains the shape of specifically designed triangle groups such as perfectly round eyes. Checking the Preserve Sharp Edges<\/em> option prevents hard corners from being smoothed out. Under Boundary,<\/em> a Free Boundary<\/em> is often preferred because it sacrifices accuracy for mesh quality.<\/p>\n Meshmixer offers several ways to separate a part of a mesh. The simplest method is first selecting the part to be separated, then using the Edit \u2192 Extract (Shift+D)<\/em> command. The program will create a new shell with an optional offset distance. Choosing the Normal<\/em> direction for the offset will expand or shrink your part. Then, from the main menu, pick Edit \u2192 Separate Shells<\/em> to individually save and name each part, while deleting obsolete sections.<\/p>\n The other method is Edit \u2192 Plane Cut.<\/em> This brings up a transform gizmo allowing orientation of the cutting plane. The blue arrow is used to specify cutting direction. In case a plane would cut off unwanted sections, it is possible to create a selection prior to cutting. With the selection active, hit Edit \u2192 Plane Cut<\/em> from the pop-up rather than from the main menu.<\/p>\n Meshmixer was originally created to interchange and combine different 3D parts. On opening the program, the first icon Meshmix opens up a library of parts. Under the dropdown menu is a section called My Parts<\/em>. This allows users to create a custom 3D library.<\/p>\n To add an object, select it in the object browser (toggle with Ctrl + Shift + O<\/em>), then select all with Ctrl + A<\/em>. Now in the Select <\/em>section of the main menu choose Convert to \u2192 Solid Part<\/em>. After hitting Accept the object will be visible in the My Parts<\/em> section.<\/p>\n In the Sculpt<\/em> section, Meshmixer offers several brushes that can be applied directly to the mesh. The following Volume<\/em> brushes offer all the functionality required for basic 3D sculpting work:<\/p>\n Drag <\/strong>moves an area in 3D space<\/p>\n Draw<\/strong> displaces vertices along the normal of the brush region, as if drawing on the surface<\/p>\n Flatten <\/strong>moves vertices in the brush region towards the average normal of that area<\/p>\n Inflate <\/strong>translates vertices along their normal<\/p>\n Holding Ctrl<\/em> while sculpting inverts the brush function, i.e., deflating instead of inflating and debossing instead of drawing. Quickly change brush size with the straight bracket ( [ and ] <\/em>) hotkeys, or cycle through last used brushes with the left and right arrows. The recommended secondary brush is RobustSmooth<\/em> which is activated by holding Shift<\/em>. This way, the sculptor can rapidly alternate between manipulation and smoothing brushes to define the overall volume.<\/p>\n For adding detail, the Draw<\/em> brush with a spiky falloff pattern works well. Together with the Pinch<\/em> brush, this results in very sharp lines. Surface brushes are great for adding detail as well. The use of custom stencils allows rapid creation of intricate textures. Make sure to Enable Refinement<\/em> (hotkey R<\/em>) or use the Refine Brush<\/em> in the Volume<\/em> section to add triangles for additional detail.<\/p>\n Checking Symmetry (hotkey Shift + S) <\/em>applies the identical sculpting operation across a symmetry plane. When checked, hit the toolbox icon next to the command to manually place the symmetry plane.<\/p>\n To combine two meshes into one, import both meshes or drag them from the Meshmix library. In the Object Browser<\/em>, select an object from the main menu and choose Edit \u2192 Transform<\/em> to position each object. With both objects selected, start the appropriate Boolean command, in this case, Union<\/em>. This is a complex algorithm that merges the two objects into a single shell. In case the object consists of multiple shells, first use the Edit \u2192 Separate Shells<\/em> command. For a Boolean Difference command, the second selected object is subtracted from the first. Because of Meshmixer\u2019s unique version of the Boolean script, it not only works on solid models but also on surfaces.<\/p>\n Precise <\/em>or Max Quality<\/em> mode will maintain the intersection curve between both objects, while Fast Approximate<\/em> is much quicker and usually suffices. If the Boolean operation fails it results in two red-colored objects. In that case, turn the Search Depth<\/em> parameter up to increase the chance of success. Checking Use Intersection Curves <\/em>also improves quality. Target Edge Scale <\/em>controls the size of the triangles near the intersection relative to the surrounding ones.<\/p>\n Meshmixer offers several advanced ways of patching up holes in a mesh. Sometimes it is useful to create a hole in order to cut out an irregular area. In that case, enter Select <\/em>mode and use the lasso to select the area to be removed. Now hit Delete <\/em>or Edit \u2192 Discard (X)<\/em> to remove all selected faces. Go to Analysis \u2192 Inspector <\/em>and the hole will be detected. Of the available options in the dropdown menu, Minimal Fill <\/em>results in the least amount of triangles necessary to close the hole. A Flat Fill <\/em>creates a patch as flat as possible, and a Smooth Fill <\/em>matches the patch to the curvature of the surrounding area. Auto Repair All <\/em>usually fixes all holes, as well as intersecting and floating triangles.<\/p>\n An alternative method is to select the area to be deleted and use the Edit \u2192 Erase<\/em> and Fill (F) <\/em>operation from the popup menu. Setting Type<\/em> to Smooth MVC <\/em>results in a good continuous fill. Edit \u2192 Make Solid<\/em> or Edit \u2192 Replace and Fill <\/em>are other methods that will fill all holes. An additional pass with the RobustSmooth <\/em>sculpting brush will blend the improved area completely into the model.<\/p>\n For any feature to be visible after 3D printing, it needs to have a minimum wall thickness or detail size, that\u2019s dependent on the 3D printer and 3D printing technology. Stereolithography 3D printers, like the Form 3<\/a>, can reproduce some of the finest details.<\/p>\n One way to add thickness to a mesh lies in a specific use of the Extrude <\/em>command. Select the area that needs thickening using Brush<\/em> mode, which allows selecting (and deselecting by holding Ctrl<\/em>) individual triangles. It is possible to smooth the selection by choosing Modify \u2192 Smooth Boundary <\/em>from the popup menu. Increasing the Smoothness and Iterations parameters will result in a more clean selection. Now, choose Edit \u2192 Extrude (D) <\/em>with Normal <\/em>as the Direction <\/em>setting.<\/p>\n At times when you\u2019re not printing functional parts that require a certain strength, adding wall thickness to hollow out your design can be a great way to save a considerable amount of material and time.<\/p>\n To install a wall thickness to the entire model, choose Edit \u2192 Hollow<\/em>. The minimum wall thickness depends on the 3D printing technology. For both SLA and selective laser sintering (SLS)<\/a>, 1 mm is a good minimum offset value.<\/p>\n For SLA, include at least two holes with 1.5 mm diameter\u2014one closest as possible to the build platform, the other somewhere on an opposite side. This provides an escape hole for the resin, preventing a pressure differential during the 3D printing process. It also ensures good isopropyl alcohol (IPA) flow during cleaning and air venting afterward.<\/p>\n For SLS models, add two 2 mm holes or one hole with a 4 mm diameter for the entrapped powder to escape. It is possible to Generate Holes <\/em>automatically or double-click to specify custom locations.<\/p>\n To ensure a watertight model, run Edit \u2192 Make Solid<\/em> after creating holes. This is an intensive operation so make sure the model is now ready for 3D printing.<\/p>\n Using the Analysis \u2192 Stability<\/em> tool we can also conclude that the object volume has been reduced by more than 75% in our example case that\u2019ll significantly reduce material use and printing time.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/venus_model2.jpg__664x0_q85_subsampling-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTip #1: Importing and Exporting<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #2: Remeshing<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #3: Separating Sections<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #4: Creating a Custom Library<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #5: Sculpting Basics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #6: Combining Meshes<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #7: Mesh Repair (STL Repair)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #8: Adding Thickness<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tip #9: Hollowing Out Parts<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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