Wow OK.... Software Editing questions  

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

I don't know if this helps you, but ... there is my way, how I do the job:
Run Sketchup, with STL Import&Export plugin, Cleanup plugin and Solid Inspector plugin (all available, free).
Import source STL of part to be modified. (*)
Run Cleanup plugin, it will get rid of unnecessary edges and faces.
Do required modifications.
Run Cleanup again (for sure), run Solid Inspector plugin, repair incidental errors.
Export as STL and print.
(optionally) upload to Thingiverse 😉

(*) import sometimes partially fails with some of the tiny faces missing. It means that those faces are too small, under resolution of import filter. In such case I first open the STL in Netfabb and scale it to 1000% (ten times larger). I resize it back to original scale after all modifications and exporting back to STL.

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Even simpler method:

Get an account at Tinkercad.com.

Upload the model, add your letters (they are in the palette and download as an STL.

Into Slic3r (or whatever) and print.

Tinkercad is the only one I can get my head around... Mainly 'cos I am old and doddery and can't learn things like I used to. (Actually it's the chemotherapy; that sh1t does strange things to your brain).

Peter

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Have you given Autodesk 123D Design a try? I have previous 3D modelling experience so can't be objective as a new user, but it seems really easy to learn to me... You can cut parts (eg the writing) off and it has a built in text tool so you just type in your desired info and then extrude it. Easy for me too say I know, but why not give it a go as well. I've found that the best thing is try as many programs as you can as everyone seems to find they 'click' with one particular one for some reason...

AutoCAD is very complex as far as I can see, I'm struggling to even get something basic created in it!

3DS Max is better and more intuitive... just!

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Ha! Ask 100 people and you will get 100 different answers. Life is so complicated... 😀

Peter

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Ain't that the Truth! 😆

Still... it'd be a boring old world if everyone was the same... 🙂

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

And most likely ... Ben will find out 101st way. 😎

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

I tried Davids. Worked great. Went from Skethup to stl. Stl to slicer and in slicer it is all messed up and did not look anything like it did in sketchup.so back to square one. Respect to all those with modelling skills thats for sure.

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

I tried Davids. Worked great. Went from Skethup to stl. Stl to slicer and in slicer it is all messed up and did not look anything like it did in sketchup.so back to square one. Respect to all those with modelling skills thats for sure.
Did you use Solid Inspector plugin? It must say the object is without any errors. Only then you may export it to STL and try to slice.
Post your model here (as SKP, zipped), I'll try to look at it.

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Thanks David. I did indeed use solid inspector. I came up with 4000 odd internal faces which I need to do manually. I basically took the standard lcd cover, removed the writing and added some writing and indented it. It needs to be lowered into the cover to enable it to be printed.
The idea is to print in purple for the Mrs.

I have never used winrar to zip something so hopefully you get it ok. It would be very much appreciated if you have 5 minutes to see what I have done wrong. 😳

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

That model is totally broken, missing edges, missing faces, it won't work.
I'll try to import original STL to Sketchup and prepare it for you (cleaned up and checked). I'll need some time, hang on.

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Yeah, it's much quicker with Tinkercad... 😀

Peter

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

This is what I have in Sketch up. It looks ok on the screen 😕

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Turn the view upside down and you'll see the errors.

The problem is that even the original STL is broken. Netfabb says it has errors, my Sketchup import filter crashes while trying to import it, importing into Tinkercad leaves it without some outer faces and a lot of missing details, importing in Sketchup via 3DS conversion works, but leaves thousands of internal faces and duplicated elements, autorepair doesn't work.
This is harder than expected. 😕

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

😮 Oh my.

David thanks for all the help. I would not worry about it too much. Although it would be nice to have it is not necessary and I do not want you to put too much into this please. It looks wayyy too complicated for me and looks like a lot of work. I am surprised the original is so bad though. I noticed with sketch up it took around 20 minutes to import the cover. Said non responsive but left it and up it popped after a while.

Although I think a fair few of us would be really appreciative for a clean copy of the cover for easy customization. Sort of like a thingyverse customization but for a MK2 lcd cover 😀

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

I've heard about many cases where SketchUp messes up STL models. I'll second PJR's recommendation about using TinkerCad.com:

TinkerCAD does not have any issues making STL files with errors. I've always had error free models come from TinkerCAD.

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Before recommending some option, please try it first. Or at least read my comments. I wrote: importing into Tinkercad leaves it without some outer faces and a lot of missing details. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong, but it doesn't work for me.

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Yikes! I guess you are right. I imported it myself and see tons of flaws. I'll work on fixing this up tomorrow when I have more time. (about to head to bed)

You can see the result of the fresh import here:

https://tinkercad.com/things/7CMlrYcxZad

Eventually, I'll have a fixed version there.

EDIT: I totally remade the MK2 LCD Cover with TinkerCAD parts based on the STL and based on what is currently on my machine. Be sure to flip the object upside down before printing. And note that I did include the 2 built-in supports for the top tab as per the STL

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Is that the link above that you worked on?

Re: Wow OK.... Software Editing questions

Yes, ayourk did pretty good job. Downloaded STL version and it's without errors, easily importable into Sketchup or anything else.