Converting Surfaces to a solid object, cant get surfaces watertight, PLEASE HELP

[bennetg98]

I've been working for about two weeks at this point to get this model made of surfaces into a watertight object. its gotten to a point however that my computer isn't powerful enough to even try! (I have a very old computer) , is there anyone that could take a look at it and help me convert it please? I've tried everything I can think of except for remodeling the entire thing.

[leeminardi]

I have found that a good strategy in creating a watertight volume from surfaces is to try and make the surfaces extend beyond adjacent surfaces.  It looks like you expect that all your surfaces are appropriately trimmed.  They are not.  For example, look at the area I have highlighted below.  The red surface is a smooth surface in 3D whereas the green and 

Changing to wireframe visual style and zooming very tightly to the boundary between the red and cyan surfaces you can see a discrepancy.

I recommend extending the red dome if possible and the bounding surfaces around it.

Another thing you could do is to examine parts of your model using planes to define the boundary of the watertight volume.  For example, in the image below I created 4 planes then gave the surfsculpt command and selected a few of the top surfaces of your model that covered the area within the planes,  the 4 planes and the bottom surface of the model. 

The result was the solid you see below.

Try this on a larger portion of the model.

A side note, I note that you have several layers turned off.  I NEVER use layer off but much prefer frozen instead.  A frozen layer is more off than an off layer!  E.g., select all will select objects on an off layers but not on frozen layers.

[bennetg98]

@leeminardi I tried what you suggested, and an lsp I've been using is no longer detecting any gaps but the Surface Sculpting still isn't working. Anyway you or someone else could take a look at what I have now? I've spent way to much time on this for it to be enjoyable anymore.

[leeminardi]

I think by extending all of the surfaces you may have introduced some new problems but it did close some gaps that were in your original model.

Here's an image of ...surfextended in which I have made an YZ plane section cut as noted.

  The red circled gap in the image below shows the gap of your original model and that the outline has been closed by the extension of the planes above it.  

Closing this gap via the extension of the surfaces has created additional watertight voids elsewhere in the profile that will create problems when AutoCAD tries to determine the watertight "large" volume you want.

I think you need to go back to the original model and fix the planes that intersect the dome.  Use different colors for the domes and take multiple section cuts to find gaps.

Good luck!

[Rliu_zzZ · Accepted solution]

Here is the problem in your dwg file.

I have repaired the file

 

[SEANT61 · Accepted solution]

Here I have transformed everything to mostly triangles and spheres.  Not an exact replica, but more efficient geometry.

[bennetg98]

SO Sorry to bother you again, but the file you gave me doesn't recognize the model as a solid it recognizes it as a block so I cant manipulate it with union or anything. I was hoping you knew how to fix this?

[Rliu_zzZ]

EXPLODE it

then  manipulate it with union or anything

 

[bennetg98]

This was as far as I was able to get, would you be able to help me union the green layer and subtract the red layer? 

[Rliu_zzZ · Accepted solution]

 

file