fae_alba

I've gone as low as 16 without seeing a whole lot of difference in what the printed output looks like. A couple of thoughts on your model. Take a look at the headdress where it comes over the shoulders. Unless you add some "thickness" to those patches by extruding them, it may not print very well. A patch layer gets interpreted as a printed "wall", which will most likely be too thin to remain intact once the supports are removed. Also pay attention to your patch normals. If they are facing inward, they won't print, but will leave gaps. Inner patches also can sometimes cause mischief, though not as much as normals. There's a lot to learn I know, and if you had your own printer I'd say just start printing and learn as you go. But since you are using the libraries that may not be a good plan. You should fully expect to have problems, from full on broken prints to holes in your prints. It's the nature of the beast. I'd also recommend you use netfabb (https://service.netfabb.com/login.php). You can upload your stl file and it will inspect it and repair any errors if possible. I use it on every print. Also, if you want a second set of eyes on your model, send it on over to me (the A:M file). I can look at it and give some more focused pointers.

On to the next project! Building a "working" model of the Mad Hatter's Tea Cup Ride in Disney. Complete with spinning tea cups, and a dormouse that pops up out of the tea pot.

I usually export from the modeling window. If you do it from the chor I think it will only export the selected model. One other suggestion is to break apart your model of it is a complex,one. That will make printing easier. My Canon print was done in a dozen plus different pieces. I have also found that sometimes I have had to exaggerate features in order for them to print nicely. Also note that scaling is oft times an issue with most sliders shifting the decimal as well as the axis (most printers use the z axis as up and down, where that is normally y in a:m.

You will need to "slice" the exported stl files (export your model from a:m as stl). What this does is allows you to define the orientation of the model to be printed, whether or not you need to add support to the model (overhanging parts of the model in the z axis (y axis in a:m) need support or the print breaks). The slicer program (cura ultimaker is a good one and free) then normally will save the file as a gcode file, which is the machine language needed to run the printer. If you have the model of the printer I might be able to steer you in a more/clearer direction.

I'd love to see the model animated to fire, complete with ropes and pulleys, but I need to put it aside for now.

I oft times get sucked down the rabbit hole when it comes to A:M. Someone shouts "squirrel!" and I'm off on a tangent faster than you can animate a blink. Last month I bought some new filament for my 3D printer. It was advertised to print looking like wood. So I ask myself, just what can I print to test out that claim? My mind went to a pirate cannon. Of course it did. So I go straight to my favorite 3D modeling software (A:M) and model up a pirate canon, and send it off to my 3D printer. Needless to say the first time through wasn't all that great, but lessons were learned. Below are some images to show how this little worked out. I'm forcing myself to move on to another project, since if I allowed myself I'm sure I would be modeling a whole pirate ship! The A:M model looks a bit like this Of course I had to animate it: canon_fire.avi and the final 3D printed looks like this: The A:M model had to be broken up 18 separate models

Much like a maquette. I have several of those of Papa Bear sitting on my desk now. Flemm's ship would be cool, but you'd have to break it down to it's components then assemble like a model. Would be a fun project.

I'm putting your samples into the mail today/tomorrow. Been a little chaotic with the fed shutdown and my schedule (one minute I can work, the next I can't!). 3D printing isn't going to provide a perfect surface each time. There will always be some level of finishing to do. I use a spray paint primer-filler to do most of the work, then liberal sanding. I always figured if I were printing something to "mass-produce" then I would be spending time getting the surface finish up to snuff, then making a silicon mold and casting in resin.

Looks like abs plastic. It's pretty much the way the one in I printed in abs looks.

The blue glasses are in keeping with his costume, but those red ones are stylish and quite trendy!

Ok, I've printed this with PLA filament , on a "fine" setting, at two different sizes. The small one is 1 in high, the other is 2.5 inches. I also did a quick test with white ABS filament, but since I don't have my printer tented it didn't fair so well. But, the PLA prints look pretty good. They would need some cleanup, a bit of sanding then hit with a primer/filler spray paint. If you want them, send me a message with your snail mail address and i will send them along to you.

Speaking from experience, DUDE, CHILL! The forum (and A:M) will be able to muck along without your sage input for a bit. But you need to take care of yourself above all else. Working like you have been put me in the hospital with a heart attack many years ago. That was a wake up call that 100+ work weeks just aint worth it.

Send it on over. This gov't shutdown deal has me sitting around with nothing to do, so I might as well do some 3d printing!

I use netfab all the time. Works fairly well with a:m stl exports, but I find reversed normals are a real issue with 3d printers. Mark, if your like, I can run thru my 3d,printer to get a comparison.

What if my grandma got run over by a reindeer? I mean dealing with that could eat up a lot of my time.

I feel your pain/angst/desire to get something done! I've spent more time traveling for work this past year, and each time I hit the road I bring my laptop with me with the sole purpose of spending some quality time in the evenings with A:M. Never happens. The hotel bar always seems to have a louder siren song! New year, new leaf. Let's hope that we get something done!

Thought as much.

I played with decals a bit this afternoon. Every time I applied one to the model . on am (19f) am crashed. Im going try it again later this evening, hopefully with better results.

I'm looking for thoughts on the best approach to weathering a truck model. I am trying to get this to look something like this No entirely so ratty, but not so brandy new either. I figure I could bring it into photoshop and paint up a decal, but I'm not all that proficient with that so am looking for a down and "dirty" (pun intended) way.

wonder if that would work as rain drops falling in a puddle, and generating concentric circles in said same puddle. I seem to remember a thread along those lines many many years ago.

thanks all for the insights. Finally got all of the 5 pointers closed, I decided not to cheat and use the samples you all attached because I felt it better to slog through this as a learning moment. The 3d printer is busily printing as I type and has about another 5 hours to go.

I've been spending a lot of time playing with my 3D printer, and started down the rabbit hole of using AM to model some parts for an animatronic projects I've started. The below screen grab is for an eyelid mechanism that i need to print but the infamous 5 point patch has reared its ugly head. Below is a patch that I cannot seem to close. The patch across from it did close as a 5 pointer, the one that won't is a product of extruding the closed patch. I cannot for the life of me figure what is wrong with it, having tried the lasso tool, hiding all other points then selecting, selecting in different orders... you name it. I've attached the model for anyone wishing to have a go at it, I would appreciate it. eyelids_V3.mdl

I get it. I work in IT at Boeing SC. I work do for information builders. Currently in loan to the department of justice.

I'm a "enterprise systems architect" by day, but by night i'm, well off the clock and want Nuthin to do with programmin!

so...Flying....Back On Track....and Hit the Road. Perhaps all clues to the next topic? Already the wheels are turning!