Full Version: Question about 3d printing my spaceship concept

I do not have a 3d printer,but Moi3d always shows me if my objects are solid or joined surfaces.Never failed me.This kind of starwars was designed so you can assemble or disassemble your parts.I was used boolean difference operation to make holes.What I am not sure about,should I export my STL or OBJ files like on top or bottom image?

Thank You in advance for advice from people who are skillful with 3d printing :)

Image Attachments:
spacecraft concept comparation.jpg 

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Hi Nikola, the best way to export can be different depending on the particular printer being used so it is probably best to ask the service where you will be sending the parts to be printed what they want. Some may want the CAD model.

But for general advice especially for stl export you would usually want to have different parts be separated in the STL file, not positioned in place where they are touching each other.

STL format is pretty primitive, it's just a big heap of triangles without any connectivity information. So when multiple parts are overlapping the same space with each other it is difficult for the receiving software to figure out which part a particular triangle belongs to.

- Michael

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Needs of printer and process

Can view it this way. Simplified breakdown

Stl= a null file format. No object separation/organization info… no surface info. just straight to printer

Obj= part and component info. Color and material info. Topology options for reducing face count (?) more advanced printing instructions

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I would separate the parts it even more.

the reason if it fails you are not messing everything.

Always used stl files no problems.
both Prusa slicer and orca slicer are good.

the one advice I would give if you want to print allot get 2 identical printers.
I went thru hell with only 1 printer and break just when I need it lol...by the time I get the part and if it is the correct one ...weeks gone by.

Now I have 2 new ones and one went bad already but at least I can continue. I want one more and I am good.

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You have many infos about 3D Printing in this spacialized site!

https://www.sculpteo.com/

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Thank You Michael for your valuable advice :)

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Thank You Matadem for your valuable advice :)

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Thank You BurrMan for your valuable advice :)

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Thank You Frenchy Pilou I will check it out :)

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