SpaceClaim Online Help

Additive manufacturing

SpaceClaim has tools that allow you to prepare models for Additive Manufacturing i.e. 3D Printing.

3D Printers use STL files to build up a model in layers. SpaceClaim's Facets tab contains tools for working with meshes and preparing them for export to a 3D printer.

The ribbon is organized in groups of tools that, from left to right, step through the process of creating a mesh for the printer. 

1. Cleanup has tools that remove defects which can cause problems for downstream operations.
2. Organize has tools for separating and joining disconnected mesh regions (e.g. shells).
3. Modify has tools for working with mesh geometry.
4. Adjust has tools smoothing the mesh, reducing the number of facets, and making the facets more uniform.
5. Analyze has tools for measuring thickness and finding overhangs.
6. Create has tools for previewing the mesh and exporting it to an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography..
7. Edge3D object composed of a single outside boundary of a feature. A line sketched in 2D becomes an edge when you pull your sketch into 3D. Display has toggles for displaying:
   • Internal mesh edges are shared by two connected facets
   • Open mesh edges belong to one facet
   • Over-connected mesh edges are connected to three or more facets and cannot be resolved by 3D printers