Table of Contents
3D Printing with SketchUp: 10 Tips and Tricks 1: Set your Template to Millimeters or Inches. 2: Install the SketchUp STL Extension. 3: Avoid Paper-Thin Surfaces & Set Wall Thicknesses. 4: Make Your Model Watertight (Manifold) 5: Avoid Internal Overlapping. 6: Check if Your Model Is Solid.
Can SketchUp models be used for 3D printing?
SketchUp can be very useful to introduce people to 3D printing because anyone can 3D model and print an object with the first use. We’ve designed a very simple object here, but in the making of it we’ve covered all the basic aspects of how this software works.
How do I make a SketchUp file an STL?
Exporting from Sketchup to STL: Window > Extension Warehouse. Click on the “extension warehouse” button in the top menu bar. Search STL. Once the extension warehouse window opens you can search for the plugin. Select Sketchup STL. Install. File > Export STL. Export.
What are the steps to create a 3D printed model?
What is the Step-By-Step Process to Create 3D Printer Files? Choose & open a CAD program. Create a design or model using the tools in your chosen program. Save & export your completed design to your computer (STL file) Choose a slicer program – Cura for beginners.
How do you split a 3D model into sections?
Step by Step Open 3D Builder and choose Open to select your model. Select the Edit tab on the top menu. Select the split action from the edit menu. Select the Keep Both option from the split menu. Position the cutting plane using the rotation gyroscope. Select Cut to select your choice.
How do you separate models in SketchUp?
Dividing a line or arc Context-click a line or arc. Select Divide from the context menu. SketchUp place points on the line or arc to show where it will be divided. Move the cursor toward the center of the line or arc to reduce the number of segments. Click the line when the number of segments you would like is shown.
How do I fill a section cut in SketchUp?
Right-click the Section Cut and choose Add SectionCutFace from the context menu. This will launch a dialog with a ton of options. Here you can choose the type of fill, whether to hides edges, lock the cut etc.
Can you convert SketchUp to STL?
In SketchUp, you can import and export STL files, which are used in 3D printing. As explained in 3D Printing a Model, for a SketchUp model to become a successful 3D printout, the model needs to meet certain criteria, such as having a base and a volume and being a solid.
How do I export a 3D model in SketchUp?
Exporting a SketchUp Model as a 3D CAD file In SketchUp, select File > Export > 3D Model. Navigate to the location where you want to save your exported file. (Optional) Change the file name if you like. Select either . Click the Options button to open the Export Options dialog box, shown in the following figure.
What 3D file formats can SketchUp import?
Using SketchUp Data with Other Modeling Programs or Tools File Type File Extension(s) Learn More Here COLLADA files .dae Importing and Exporting COLLADA Files 3D Studio (3DS) files .3ds Importing and Exporting 3DS Files Digital elevation models (DEM files) .dem , .ddf Importing DEM Files for Terrain FBX files .fbx Exporting FBX Files.
How can I make a 3D model for free?
Blender is a free open source 3D creation suite. It allows you to model, animate, simulate and render 3D projects. Composition and motion tracking, video editing and game creation are also possible using Blender.Free 3D Modeling Programs Autodesk Fusion 360. SketchUp Pro. Maya. 3DS Max. Cinema 4D.
Can I use Blender for 3D printing?
Blender already supports 3D printing modeling and file-formats since 2002. With the latest Blender version (2.67) this now is even more accessible and powerful with the new 3D Printing Toolbox and real-time Mesh Analysis features.
How do I print models in SketchUp?
To set your printing options in the Print Preview dialog box, follow these steps: Select File > Print Preview. To print the current view, leave the Current View radio button selected in the Tabbed Scene Print Range area. (Optional) To print more than one copy of your model, enter a number in the Number of Copies box.
Is Tinkercad better than SketchUp?
SketchUp. Like Tinkercad, SketchUp is a browser-based design program but it is much more in-depth than Tinkercad. SketchUp also has a much steeper learning curve. SketchUp allows you to create designs from 2D sketches and the Pro version is great for architectural work.
Can you scan an object for 3D printing?
It is possible to capture existing objects into the computer so they can be modified or simply re-created using a 3D printer. Optical scanning captures only the outer shape of an object, but it is possible to use ultrasound imaging or CT scan data to create models of internal structures as well.
Is there any free CAD software?
Best Free CAD Software in 2021 Fusion 360. SketchUp Free. Vectary. Onshape. FreeCAD. Honorable Mentions. OpenSCAD. nanoCAD.
Is mesh mixer free?
Autodesk meshmixer is a fantastic free software for creating and manipulating 3D files for 3D printing. Whether you need to clean up a 3D scan, do some 3D printing or design an object, meshmixer can help.
What does Weld edges do in SketchUp?
Weld Edges in SketchUp ‘Weld Edges’ has been added to SketchUp’s native tools. This means you can merge edges and arcs into a single polyline without installing an extension. To merge edges and arcs, right-click and select ‘Weld Edges’.
How do you explode a SketchUp model?
To break up the object, click to select it and choose Edit > Group > Explode or Edit > Component > Explode.
What is explode in SketchUp?
Explode: When you explode a component instance, you’re effectively turning it back into regular ol’ geometry. Explode is a lot like Ungroup in other software programs (in SketchUp, you use Explode to disassemble both components and groups).
What do layers control in SketchUp?
In Layout, regular layers (also called nonshared layers) enable you to control the visibility of document content. For example, if you want to separate text from SketchUp model entities, you can place each type of entity on its own layer.
