SpaceClaim Online Help

Facet Overhangs

Overhangs Tool

Overhanging geometry is an important consideration in 3D printing because it may require special supports. This can add cost and setup time to the process.

The Overhangs tool detects and highlights areas of the mesh that protrude out at angles up to 90°. You can set the Overhang Angle option to look for any angle up to 90°.

The Overhangs tool works on both faceted and solid bodies.

To check a body for overhangs:

1. Click the Overhangs tool
2. Enter a Overhang Angle in the Options panelArea of the user interface that enables you to modify functions specific to tools. or use the default value.
3. Select a body.
4. Click the Select Direction tool and select a solid or facet edge to set the direction to look for overhangs. ALT-select also works for selecting a direction.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Faces that overhang by More Than the Overhang Angle are highlighted.

   
   In the example below, the overhang is at 65°. The Overhang Angle is set to 64°.

    

   
   
   

6. Overhangs with areas Smaller Than the Ignore Small Areas value will be ignored.
   
   In the example below, there is a small overhang with an area of 20 mm2. It is found when Ignore Small Areas is checked OFF, but ignored when the option is checked ON and set to 30 mm2.

   

Options

The following options are available for detecting overhangs: