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Line 21: − Parts must be manifold. Manifold is a term that means the surface of the part is contiguous and complete, and with regards to 3d printing, also not zero thickness. Imagine a soccer ball shape: that would be 'manifold,' but if the soccer ball were missing one polygon, it would not be manifold. In order to print such a shape, either the walls of the part need to be thickened, or the gaps or holes need to be patched. Some models created with common software, particularly SketchUp, can be impossible to print without serious repair and reworking, because the models include many holes or gaps and are often composed of zero-thickness planes rather than solid shapes with volume. 'Manifold' is also referred to as 'water-tight.' +
→Machine Requirements
Minimum size. Parts must be large enough to resolve, large enough for the print-head to extrude something that holds together.
Minimum size. Parts must be large enough to resolve, large enough for the print-head to extrude something that holds together.
STL files for parts must be manifold. Manifold is a term that means the surface of the part is contiguous and complete, and with regards to 3d printing, also not zero thickness. Imagine a soccer ball shape: that would be 'manifold,' but if the soccer ball were missing one polygon, it would not be manifold. In order to print such a shape, either the walls of the part need to be thickened, or the gaps or holes need to be patched. Some models created with common software, particularly SketchUp, can be impossible to print without serious repair and reworking, because the models include many holes or gaps and are often composed of zero-thickness planes rather than solid shapes with volume. 'Manifold' is also referred to as 'water-tight.'
Your model should be "watertight" (the mesh has a mathematically determinable interior), correct normals, and a manifold topology. Shapeways has a nice [http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/things-to-keep-in-mind tutorial] explaining this.
Your model should be "watertight" (the mesh has a mathematically determinable interior), correct normals, and a manifold topology. Shapeways has a nice [http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/things-to-keep-in-mind tutorial] explaining this.