I have a component that Solid Inspector says is fine , but SketchUp does not recognize it as a solid component.
How do you troubleshoot
Level 3A Lower with Shorter Poles.skp (78.4 KB)
this? If the problem is reversed and it is Solid Inspector that says there is a problem, it will highlight the problem areas. When the problem is in SketchUp, how do I find it?
It looks like there’s a classic “bowtie” thing which Solid Inspector 2 doesn’t catch although SketchUp and Solid Inspector do.
After fixing the geometry thare, Solid Inspector and SketchUp both call it solid group.
How best do you fix the bow tie? Draw another circle?
I’ll work on it. That jagged edge business is just plain weird to me and seems to pop up in inopportune moments or places.
Do you ever rest? Thanks my friend, if I may be so bold.
I drew in a few edges to complete the bottom of the rail and cleaned up the geometry inside.
As for the jagged edges around the top of that leg, I expect that’s due to the distortion at the top.
As for whether or not you should redraw it, I can’t say. It depends on what you need and how you are using it. Maybe you can get away with softening those edges.
I rest once in awhile. 
I cleaned up the beam bottom, and all is well. I was focusing on the odd splaying at the top of the poles which as it turns out was not the problem and is not a problem for the end result. It occurred just as a result of doing an Outershell of the various pieces and parts earlier before that one beam started misbehaving.
I’ve got another component/group that is having the same problem, so I will tackle that one next. Do you think it is a good idea to install Solid Inspector as well as Solid Inspector 2?
Sorry. I missed your last question. Yes, I think having both Solid Inspector and Solid Inspector2 is a good idea. The latter is the one I use most of the time but if it shows everything is fine but SketchUp doesn’t call the object a solid, I use the older Solid Inspector to see what it says.
Out of curiosity, what is this thing you’ve modeled? What’s it do?
There are strange situations that can confuse a specific solid analysis algorithm, such as faces that share a vertex but no edges and a shape that folds around so that four faces share an edge but overall the shape encloses a single volume. So, as @DaveR advised, it is useful to have extra testers on hand to see whether one may reveal an issue that another misses.
My daughter and grandsons got me started on 3D printing which we can do at 3 of the libraries here in Colorado Springs. So, I found an old file I had done on a Friday at Noon session with Aaron.
I was sorta hoping you’d ask.
The Burrow Color.pdf (141.9 KB)
That would be fun to 3D print.
Fun to draw and hopefully fun to print. I’ve broken it down to seven elements. The big challenges are the 4 struts, and that is why I am preparing a thicker strut version. We’ll test the 4x4 version of the struts first. I’m learning a lot, and it has been a lot of fun. (Also a lot of printer sitting; reminds me of when Houston Instruments’ pen plotters came out. My partner and I would take turns “plotter sitting” - hoping that a detailed floor plan on a 24 x 36 sheet would make it.)
It is fun. If you haven’t, some of your steam devices would be fun to print.
Sounds like a good project.
I’ve thought about it and might do it one of these days. I did 3D print the steam whistle model I made.
And a U-joint from about 1905.
Well done! I’ve been asking family members if they have any possessions with broken parts that need to be fixed.
Thanks!
I think it’s nice to be able to make useful parts sometimes. Makes it easier for me to justify having the printer.
The family is keeping pretty tight reins on me; I’m limited to using the libraries’ printers … which is actually not bad - large selections filament colors and types, no upkeep responsibility, $0.05/gram, first 20 grams free. I’m only out less than $10 so far.
That’s a good way to go.
I was putting off buying one until a couple of years ago. I bought the one I got because the FIRST Robotics team I work with needed the ability to make some larger prints than they could do with what they had. The larger bed has been useful for a few things I’ve needed to print, too.
And it is fun. To draw has always been fun; and then to 3D print what I had fun drawing - more fun.
Simple.
