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Merge an inverted 3D model into a cube to form a mold
Is there a way to merge two imported 3d files? What I'd like to do is make a block cube with a model inverted in it to 3d print molds. The boolean tool in Blender only works part of the time.
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Hi Jennifer Hampson,
You have purchased a monthly subscription to Carveco Maker, which is our entry-level product. You can compare the different Carveco products on our company website: https://carveco.com/carveco-software-range/product-comparison/
The model you create in Carveco Maker represents your material block; you specify the thickness of your material block using the Material Setup dialog, which is displayed by selecting the Toolpath > Material Setup menu option.
You can import a triangle or surface model and paste it into the relief, which is shown in the following demonstration video available from our Carveco Training portal: Importing 3D Models. However, you cannot merge imported 3D models in the same way as you would imported pieces of relief clipart.
Once a 3D model has been imported and pasted into the relief within your model, you can invert it, as shown in the following demonstration video available from our Carveco Training portal: Inverting Reliefs
You can create a triangle mesh from your relief and export it as an STL file, as shown in the following demonstration video available from our Carveco Training portal: Creating and Exporting a Triangle Mesh
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Man, I'm flummoxed.
I've watched all the videos several times and have messed around with the thickness of the material, bases in the clipart library, and loads of different imports and paste options. I'm unable to achieve the result shown in the below image. It simply doesn't export the material as a solid block. The plane will only export as something similar to a vacuum-formed thin plastic mold. Am I missing something? I've tried all day long.
Is your models max height on the Z = 0 plane or have you built it into a box that is the height you want the box to be? If its on the Z = 0 plane I would suggest that may be your problem.
It's at 9mm, not zero.
Am I correct that you want to export the model to a 3rd party app (Blender?) so you can print it? If so are you sure you are importing the model above the Z = 0 plane? I am guessing now that this might be the cause of the issue because I have never exported to Blender (or any other app) other than Photoshop (and that's for a completely different purpose). Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Been playing with mesh creator to get to point where I could save as an stl and.......when using mesh creator to create the triangle mesh are you selecting "close with a flat plane"? If not you would, I believe, get what you are experiencing.
I hope this helps.
Jen,
What Barry points out is worth noting...If you don't export the STL with a closed back/plane, the mesh will be open on the back and not watertight.
Also, don't be surprised if you get giant triangles on that back plane, which sometimes complicates things downstream. If I export an STL for 3d printing, I'll often choose to close the back with an inverted front to maintain small triangles, then pull it into something else like zbrush where I can slice off the back with a plane that contains many small triangles that printers tend to like better...
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