Enlarge an .stl file to make a larger hole inside

[reachmeplace]

Hi,

I downloaded an .stl file from Thingiverse which would not load in Tinkercad as I got the error message it was too complex. I want to enlarge this figure's head (as we enlarged the body)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5274706

... so I can then make a larger hole in the head to fit on to this figure's neck.

I'm not  sure how to enlarge a figure in meshmixer and then how  to create a hole in that head like you can easily do  in Tinkercad?

Thank you so much for your kind help.

[hfcandrew]

Activate both the head and body and combine.

Then select the areas you want bigger > deform > soft transform, then scale it bigger.

[reachmeplace]

Thank you.
As a neophyte, I know little about how to perform tasks in meshmixer (great admiration for what it can do!)
Are there screenshot of where and how to proceed to "Activate" both the head and the body?
Screenshots for how one "selects" the areas you want bigger? In Tinkercad, with the mouse cursor when you wish to group 2 objects you draw a box around both objects on the Workplace. How is selecting done in meshmixer? Where does one find "deform'? Then how does one "scale"it bigger? In Cura there is a box called Scale you click on. How it that done in meshmixer? Thank you.

[hfcandrew]

• Click on one then shift+click on the other.
• Then click on select, and draw a cricle around the parts you want selected
• Deform>Soft Transform (hotkey shift+t)
• Then drag the sliders (this was a high poly model running really choppy for me)

[reachmeplace]

Hi Andrew,

Thank you so much for your helpful instructions.

I’m so grateful to you for sharing such helpful insights into meshmixer.

In meshmixer. I clicked Import and I import the head .stl file but then when I try to import the body.stl file onto that same “workplane” (design bed) the body looks odd (like a human nose.

Are the certain steps I can take to ensure both files can be seen on the bed (workplane)?

We want to have a large body with a smaller head but for the head to have a hole within that head to fit  on the body’s neck.

So, the goals are to enlarge the hole within the head (also enlarging the head a bit) and  then narrowing and shortening the neck so the head fits on the neck.

Thank you so much for all your kind help and patience.

[reachmeplace]

Also, how can I download your .mp4 file to watch offline?

Thank you.

[hfcandrew]

To download 'undownloadable'/streamed videos I use a chrome extension. VideoDownload helper:  https://www.downloadhelper.net/

See attached for that video anyways.

You need to turn off the visibility of the printer bed: View > Show Printer Bed

[reachmeplace]

I had Video Download Helper installed but it didn't open  the .mp4 the 1st time.

Once I turn off the Printer Bed I can see both objects on screen.

I don't see how one moves the head over the body nor how you turn both sideways?

I've clinked on the figure and tried to drag it but nothing happens.

Thank you for your kind help.

[hfcandrew]

I'm not sure what's not working for you. You'll have to post a video of whats happening.

[hfcandrew]

I'm not sure what's not working for you. You'll have to post a video of what's happening.

[reachmeplace]

Hi Andrew,

I open meshmixer and select Import and import both figures. But I can't move either figure. If I click on a figure in Tinkercad I can then drag it all over the Workplane. If I need to combine 2 figures I draw a box around  both and click the Group icon and they combine. I'm not sure how I can align the head with the body on this one? So, I can't narrow the neck (nor shorten the neck) nor can I enlarge the head so I can then make a large enough hole in that head to fit on to a newly narrowed neck. Thank you.

[hfcandrew]

The files from thingiverse come already aligned perfectly with each other. No movement is needed. However since you asked, to move something: Edit > Transform

[reachmeplace]

This is a slow process for a beginner with no sit down next to me
experience like how I teach kids at a library to use Thingivers and
Tinkercad.

Your graphic has the head on top of the neck. I don't see the process of
how that happens.

But, if I focus on creating a hole in the head so I can fit that head on
to a narrower neck and narrowing the neck and making the neck shorter maybe
then we can discuss how one fits that head onto the neck and then printing
the whole figure at once as one print?

[hfcandrew]

There is no process in this case to put the head on top of the neck, from thingiverse they come already aligned that way.

If yours are not for some reason use Edit >Transform

[reachmeplace]

Hi Andrew,

I use a PC running Windows 10 or 11 running meshmixer ver. 3.5.474 . After I select Edit, I have other choices listed than what I can barely see in your video. I can’t see the words on screen in your drop down menu so I don’t know which choice you’re making in your drop down menu. I’m running your video in VLC Media Player for Windows.

I’m trying to create a step by step of how to accomplish those objectives but it’s challenging as most instructional videos display words tiny on screen.

This as far as I’ve gotten.

1. Open meshmixer
2. select Import + (in the center screen, not the upper left) to Import an. stl file
3. For next imported file, select Import and choose OK next to Append
4. Choose Edit (tab) along left side of screen
5. Select some function ???? (can’t see in VLC Media Player playing andrew’s .mp4

I'm stuck at this point.

If you would pls help me fill in the next steps, I;d so appreciate that.

Thank you.

[hfcandrew]

1. Open meshmixer
2. select Import + (in the center screen, not the upper left) to Import an. stl file
3. For next imported file, select Import and choose OK next to Append
4. Choose Edit (tab) along left side of screen
5. Choose Transform (Then use to arrows on the widget to slide the head to your desired position)

Let me know once you complete step #5. If you get stuck please post a video of your attempt. My video did not have this step #5 because the files load correctly aligned for me.

[reachmeplace]

Andrew.. Thank you so much for all your kind and patient help.

I now see how Transform enables to you widen an object.

The neck to the body is approximately 1/2  inch wide which is about as wide as the head.

My concern is if I create a hole in the head to fit on to the neck when I print the head it might have too little filament so it might crack fitting the head onto that neck.

I w as thinking maybe I should increase the width of the head and then create w hole in that.

Then, narrow the width of the body's neck as well as shortening the neck so the head would fit on the neck and be closer to the body than the present print?

Once I widen the head, is the next step to save that before I attempt to create a hole in that head?

 Or is all that done in sequential steps and then once modified that head is saved?

Thank you again.

[hfcandrew]

I now see how Transform enables to you widen an object.

In the video I use Select>Deform>Soft Transform

The neck to the body is approximately 1/2  inch wide which is about as wide as the head.

The male dowel on the body is 2.93mm, which is more like 0.11inch

My concern is if I create a hole in the head to fit on to the neck when I print the head it might have too little filament so it might crack fitting the head onto that neck.

Do you mean the dowel will snap off?

I was thinking maybe I should increase the width of the head and then create hole in that.

I'm starting to think you don't want the head bigger, you actually just mean you want the dowel's diameter to be bigger. Say 5mm instead of 2.93mm?...

Then, narrow the width of the body's neck as well as shortening the neck so the head would fit on the neck and be closer to the body than the present print?

I'm not sure why you would want this, but yes you can do that with 'Soft Transform' too.

Once I widen the head, is the next step to save that before I attempt to create a hole in that head?

No. But first I need to you draw or post of video of what you actually mean.

Or is all that done in sequential steps and then once modified that head is saved?

*Exported

[reachmeplace]

Hi Andrew,

Thank you.

Perhaps, we are using different version of meshmixer? I have version 3.5.474 but maybe there is a newer version you think it would be better for me to download and install?

I ask because when I choose Select I see Brush and Lasso – I don’t see Deform or Soft Deform.

I’m not sure what dowell means in meshmixer terms?

Is dowell the proper term for this figure’s neck?

I’m trying to fit the head on to the neck but the 3D print out I have the neck (dowell?) is too thick (wide) for the head to fit on so I wanted to narrow the neck (dowell?) so the head would fit on the neck (dowell?).

The head, as  printed has small hole in it so you could not slide the head on to the neck (dowell?) unless that neck (dowell?) was narrowed quite a bit.

I thought it might be easier to enlarge the head a bit to then create a hole in that head (or enlarge the small hole as is) so the head could slide on to the neck (dowell?).

But, perhaps, you have s better (easier) approach?

I’m not an experienced meshmixer (although I’m so impressed with it’s capabilities once mastered). I so appreciate you helping to shepherd me through and learning.

That’s why I was thinking in terms of

1). Enlarge the head

2). Enlarge the hole in the head

3). Narrow the neck (dowell?)

4). Shorten the neck (dowell?)

I thought once I have both figures modified I can save them together as one .stl file to 3D print?

Or must I save the head  as one file and export that in meshmixer to my drive and then save (export) separately the body and neck (dowell?) as a separate .stl file?

The origin of this was that a child I’m teaching the basics of 3D printing at our public library wanted the body a lot bigger than what was the default used by the Thingiverse creator so the figure had a big body and much smaller head.

But, now that child would like the head to fit (snuggly, if possible) on to the neck (dowell?) of that body thus the neck (dowell?) and  head and hole in head adjustments.

Sorry if I was unclear about that all.

Thank you again!

[reachmeplace]

I'm trying to ascertain which is X, which is Y and which is Z in meshmixer once one selects Edit>Transform?

I've attached a screenshot.

I tried to take and share a video but I've only used OBS sporadically so it seemed like I capture a video of what I see in meshixer but when I perused the folder with obs-studio and chose scenes and selected the scene from today would not play in VLC media player.

If there's an easier to use free, video screen capture program I would appreciate your suggestion(s)? 

So, I can enlarge the head to this .stl file but I don't know what I need to enlarge the head to so I can then create a hole in that head to then insert the dowel (neck) of the body to this .stl?

Thank you.