Cineversity

Dear 3D specialists,

I’ve made an object for my vacuum cleaner to connect with my saw-table.
When I import the stl file the 3D software for slicing the mode for print shows a error.
The model is made with several BOOLED objects…
Who can tell me what I’m doing wrong? Is the way of booling objects not for 3D-printing?
... or do I have to make the objects in a other type of file…?

Thanks in advance.
(the file is attached)

Michiel (from the Netherlands)

Hi Michiel,

Cinema 4D can produce working files, e.g., via STL export. But the export can’t fix what isn’t set up. To be clear, the Boole Objects do not produce the trouble. I like to show this more in detail below.

Please have a look at this screenshot:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/bWz8HcnqZYQdbSFq0mGJSSoZ7aIWG4GFEyHwSrhz3pi?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

The model needs to be out of one continues (watertight) mesh. In other words, if the inside would be filled with water, the water shouldn’t get out and needs to get anywhere inside.

Point A and A2:
This model seems to be created partly by mirroring one side and just leave it that way. The inside A2 shows that clearly. To my knowledge, such a “wall” shouldn’t be inside an object. Normal direction is not homogeneous, no idea if your printer requires this.

Point B:
Several objects are not connected, and the mesh doesn’t show similar points at the intersections. This is not only found at point B.

Point C:
This an part that is not connected nor allows for the part that it cuts through to follow the “water rule”.

Point D:
Another example of the assembly of objects, but no connection found.

The Dyson part, has the Tube intersecting, AFAIK, that is not something the printer can read, where one object stops or not.

Besides that, if it is a layered printer (vs fluid), there is currently no support material that would allow the printer to place layers where it is needed: Some parts are starting in mid-air and so far I can’t see a rotation of the object that would allow a complete print. Except perhaps if the z axis is vertical and the mount-parts at C would be less parallel. Less parallel means here that when the printer comes to that area, it needs to build up that “balcony” piece from the existing model step by step.

All in all the work you have done is a great blueprint. But the need to connect everything is certainly given. You might check for more details with the provider of the print service or if you own the printer, there must be information available about the things I mentioned above.

Laste week I have send an STL file to be printed and it went through in the first pass. All done from scratch with C4D.

All the best

P.S.:

Here is a simple sketch of your model. It is vertical and follows the idea of continues build up.
Note that some printers have the Z axis as vertical axis.
The V part could be subdivided, and eventually deformed, I left it without, so you can decide.

Please test this model and explore it, I have not tested it with any 3D check!

Scene file:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/U2RTIroseP33R98Zo3kWlntos5VWOXP9zTGLh6bDWxa?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

Screen shot:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/YzRoC0opVdIP5WgB0Dd2GYm7MbII52eKiYc4DsmU4o4?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

I used the center tube and pulled one of the V access points. Cut this on along the word axis and duplicated it to the other side. Simple Extrude processes. Optimize points.

Enjoy your project