How can I make mesh objects to solid body for 3D-Printing

[supanut.wannacharoen]

I have to downloaded the .obj, .stl of car model and I need send to 3D-Printing but file is not solid body.

any one can suggestion me, how can I merge them or convert them to solid body to print on 3D-Prinintg?

[Fabian_perree]

Hi @supanut.wannacharoen ,

To convert in solid : Right click on the mesh -> Convert to BRep.

But, in the mesh environment, you may want to :

-Merge the bodies

-Decimate / reduce it

I'm not sure what you wanted but models for 3dprintig ARE mesh so probably you just want to merge the bodies, you won't need to convert to BRep, just export in STL files.

Best Regards

[TrippyLighting]

None of that is correct!

These objects are likely quad meshes by the looks of the screenshot and were created in a Sub-D modeler. 3DS Max, Modo Blender etc.

They can be converted into T-Splines and then into CAD geometry. However, the big surfaces are just that, surfaces. They don't  enclose a volume watertight so will convert into NURBS surfaces not solid bodies.

There is a good bit of work ( a few hours of skilled labor) involved getting this into a 3D printable form.

[Fabian_perree]

You're right I should have kept my mouth shut, will do next time.

I've done this several times but with closed, "standard" STL not quad meshes.

[TrippyLighting]

While the following YouTube video does not pertain to the question asked in this thread I am going to post it anyway.

The reason is that "convert to BRep" and "If face count too high reduce in mesh workspace bofer converting to BRep" is often given and IMHO often results in inferior models, which is unnecessary.

Many CAD people don't really know mesh oriented workflows so here is a hybrid that can help connect the two worlds:

[ARIA_FPV]

If anyone is still interested in this thread, this is what works:

- Select face (for example the hood)

- Convert quad mesh to T-spline

- Convert T-spline to Brep

- "Thicken tool" 

- Export as .stl

I'm not sure how much quality you will loose in this process, but for such a project I'd say it's very minimal. This process is much faster and cleaner than trying to create a Brep using the prismatic option

[TrippyLighting]

@ARIA_FPV the thing that often prevents this from working is the thicken part. Tight curves create self intersections and then you cannot simply use the thicken in the Solid/Surface  tab.

[ARIA_FPV]

That is true. I did run into some errors because of what you mentioned. With some additional work I think it's doable for a project like this where accuracy isn't as critical. Anyways, I learned Fusion 360 myself for designing carbon fiber frames, so I'm a total beginner with meshes and surfaces and might be totally wrong.