Hi!
I want to modify a 3D model .stl file but after I import it I always get one surface borders error. If I fix it (see uploaded .skp file) and export as .stl than import it again the Solid Inspector2 always has the same surface border error! I tried to import with “model units”:meters but no change.
Another big question would be, as I know the .stl file is made up of many triangles, but after I import my .skp file it has lots of rectangles, why don’t I have just triangles, is my .stl file still valid ?(After I export it, will the triangles be restored??)
I imported the .stl you supplied using meters as the import units and it came in as a solid. No issues with surface borders.
I don’t know why you’re still getting it if import units are set to meters. I’m not seeing it.
Yes. the .stl file is all triangles.
What are the teeth supposed to look like? If I were modeling this thing I would model it centered on the origin to use it as the center of the model. I would model one tooth and then use Rotate/Copy to make an array of identical teeth around the center.
I presume you intend to 3D print this thing. I would model it with units set to meters and make it 25 meters tall. When exporting the .stl set the export units to meters.
I would also avoid repeated exporting and importing the .stl file.
thank you for the nice explanation of all my problems
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Why do I have to export it in meters when I need it in mm ? Probably here is my problem, I always import it in meters, then I export it in mm. If I export in meters how can I print it to real dimension?
Technically .stl files are unitless. If your model is created such than 1 meter in the SketchUp model is to equal 1 mm in the 3D print and you export the file with export units set to millimeters, the .stl will record the 1 meter length as 1000 long (no units, remember). Then you import the file into the slicer with units set to millimeters and that length is read as 1000 millimeters long.
If, you export with Export Units set to meters, that 1 meter length in SketchUp gets recorded in the .stl file as 1 long. In the slicer, then, it is 1 mm long.
Here’s an example using the same process I’ve been describing. Note the dimensions of the rod are in meters.
Please tell me why in your model the teeth are together with the gear and I can’t get this in any way, I can’t escape of “this face”. How can I weld the teeth with the gear??
I used components because I have to modify to bottom of teeth like in new _gear2.skp
I modeled one tooth and copied it to make a radial array which I then made as a solid component. Then I modeled the body of the gear as a second solid component. These were then combined into one. I used the Union Tool in BoolTools2 because it respects components. You could also use the native Outer Shell or Union in Solid Tools.
combining them into a single solid isn’t really required but the body and the teeth must then be solids on their own.
I tried to reproduce it, I got the two separate solids but after I made united_solid with UnionTool I don’t get solid component, Solid Inspector shows 96External Faces.
You didn’t make the teeth long enough to fully pass through the side of the cylinder. Looking straight down on one tooth, you can see that it only touches at the apex.
If I remember correctly, early on I suggested that you turn off Length Snapping but you haven’t do that. It’s not to blame for the lack of solidity in your model but Length Snapping can lead to imprecision which not something you want for this kind of modeling.
I would just like to know if was there any way to modify the teeth component in the 2solid.skp slightly larger to pass through the side of the cylinder completely.
which grip must I move, no one does it in the right direction. . .
(if I can do it for one, then I delete the rest and will use Rotate/Copy to make identical teeth around the center.)
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. Problem resolved, thanks.