Repairing 3D Files: A Guide

The benefits of 3D printing can present some technical challenges. While 3d printing allows us to create highly custom, very complex, and very precise output, the input must be just as precise. Even though your 3d digital mesh might look fine when viewing it on a screen, there are a few criteria your file must meet to be a successful 3d printable file.

You must have the correct file type. If you cannot export to a .STL, .OBJ, (or .VRML/ .WRL for full color prints), then view our guide on

What makes a successful file?

In order for the 3d model to be printable – your 3d file must be manifold. In order for a model to be “manifold” it has to satisfy a number of critera:

disconnectededges

The object must be closed. This means that the file needs to be water-tight. Above you can see a model where the edges do not quite meet, meaning that it is not manifold.

verticies and edges

Edges and verticies must be connected. The above model has edges which are not connected.

nothickness

There should be no parts of the model with 0 thickness. Above you can see a point with zero thickness.

internalface

There should be no internal faces.

normals

Faces of an object must be unified and oriented the correct direction

wall thickness

The walls must have thickness.

Using NetFabb to repair bad models

When manually checking files for printability – there are many different ways to check for technical issues within the 3d modeling software you are using (depending on the software.) An industry standard software for checking and repairing 3d printing files is NetFabb. You can use their use their free online uploader, or download a free basic version. They also offer a paid version.

Use the NetFabb online uploader.

Download the free version of NetFabb.

good3dmodel

Good 3D Models: This 3D model is good. It is manifold, clean geometry. When opened in Netfabb, it is green.

grey3dmodel

By pressing the “analyze” button on the top toolbar, we can get a report. It says our model is closed, orientable, there are no holes, and there are no bad edges. This report also tells us the bounding volume, number of verticies, number of faces, number of edges, as well as the volume of the 3d model.

warningimage

If you import a file into NetFabb and see a “!” warning sign, then something could be wrong. Luckily NetFabb makes running test really easy. Click on the “analyze” button on the toolbar to get a report. Then you can click the “+” and apply an automatic repair.

Some problems that automatic repairs will usually fix:

holesingeometry

Holes in Geometry.

disconnectededges

Disconnected Edges

normalsimage

Non-unified normals

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