SpaceClaim Online Help

Shrinkwrap

Some faceted models contain gaps that will cause problems for 3D Printing. For example, assemblies have multiple parts fastened together but there are small gaps between the component parts. The Shrinkwrap tool allows you to create a single, faceted model that can be sent to a 3D printer. As the name implies, Shrinkwrap creates a faceted wrapper around the model that closes gaps.

The human foot shown below is a faceted model from scanned data. Notice that there are many tiny facet regions.

To create a shrinkwrap

1. Open a faceted model that contains gaps. The foot model used in this example, has small gaps between the bones of the foot.

2. Click on the Shrinkwrap tool
3. Change the Shrinkwrap Options if desired
4. Select a FacetSimple triangular face used to describe surface geometry in STL (stereolithography) file format. BodyA solid or surface. in the Graphics Window or the Structure Tree
5. Click Complete to create the Shrinkwrap.
6. The completed shrinkwrap is shown below. Notice how the tiny facet regions have been wrapped into a single faceted body.

Tool guides

The following tool guides help step you through the process. Use the Tab key to cycle through them. As soon as the tool guide switches, the cursor may change to reflect the active guide.

Options

The following options are available for shrinkwrapping:

Example using the Select Tight-Fit Faces or Facets tool guide:

Use the Select Tight-Fit Faces or Facets tool guide to control shrinkwrap facets in selected areas.

The following simple example shows how the tool guide works.

 

The body is selected for shrinkwrapping.
The default settings produce a crude shrinkwrap.
Click the Select Tight-Fit Faces or Facets tool guide and double-click on the top face. This face will be tightly fit in the shrinkwrap.
Notice that the facets fit tightly on the selected face. It is important to note that the controlling effect falls off as a function of distance from the selected area.
Non-faceted 'helper' geometry can also be selected. Here, the face of the block is coincident with the faceted face.
The helper geometry has the same effect.
Multiple faces can be selected.
Both faces are tightly fit.
.
The image on the right has a secondary size of 1 mm. Notice how that effects the resulting shrinkwrap.

Using a secondary facet size

 

To control Facet Size, check the Secondary size option and enter a value. The image below sets a secondary size of 10 mm for facets created on the top face.

Secondary size is more useful for refining the shrinkwrap to preserve the initial shape. An example is shown below.

This faceted model has a distinct profile shape.
Using the default gap size 8 mm)and no Secondary size specified, Shrinkwrap produces a very rough approximation of the profile.
Check the Secondary size option ON Enter a Secondary size of 2 mm Click the Select Tight-Fit Faces or Facets tool guide Select facets around the profile to apply the secondary size
Click Complete and see that the secondary size follows the profile.

Using shrinkwrap on solid bodies

You can use the Shrinkwrap tool on solid bodies. The example below shows a simple example.

The solid block will be shrinkwrapped. The top face is selected using the Select Tight-Fit Faces or Facets tool guide.
The faceting for the shrinkwrap is driven by the current settings in the Convert tool.