Hi All
I try to export an object consists of 2 parts to print the object with two materials. When I open the object in a slicer like repetier host it seams the the stl exporter merged the two parts together. The 2 parts have different names (object-1, object-2). The "merge object with the same name" is disabled hence it should not matter. Has anyone an idea how to properly export models for 3d printing having multiple parts in an object?
Best Regards Ben

Hi Ben, the .stl format does not have any method for containing multiple objects, it's only really intended to contain a single object and it only has a place in the file for storing a single object name. So the "merge object with the same name" doesn't have any effect on STL exports.

You can probably get away with putting multiple objects in one single stl file if they don't touch each other, but when they are touching it's difficult for the program that is receiving the file to be able to tell them apart.

You may have to export each object to its own separate .stl file, or possibly use a different format like obj format which does support having multiple labeled objects in a single file.

It's hard to say for sure what you should do because it's dependent on the particular slicing software and capabilities of your printer.

- Michael

Hi noskule,
i dont know if this helps but have a look here:
http://moi3d.com/forum/messages.php?webtag=MOI&msg=8965.3&highlight=yes

Hi Ben,

i don't know if your printer supports VRML (.wrl files), if so, i use this format all
the time via Blender, to have seperated objects with colors, or single objects
with assigned stile colors from MoI, on individual faces. I simply export as .obj
from MoI and in Blender i save as .wrl.

Regards
Stefan

OK, I figured out the way to do it is just export each part as separate stl file. Then import it into slicer software and mege them to an "objectgroup". The parts will then allign to each others original relativ position.
Thanks Ben