Cleaning Up Architectural Scale Models for 3D Printing | Expert Tips

[@OveToranger]

The difference when scaling was extreme. Good advice !

[@James-u9z2v]

I'm very very interested in seeing the complicated process in making a model solid. It would be great to watch along and see what time saving tips you have for us. Stoked about the book, gonna go get it now!

[@jonbailey6048]

One of the ways I test to give an idea of what it will look like when printing is by turn off viewing lines or take it into Cura and view it there to see what details will actually show

[@gbabiding]

Yes please! I’ve been looking for a video about this subject. I like your videos because you’re not afraid to make a “complete “ Video, not skipping the hard parts of the models. I would have liked to have seen a more of the corbel drawing in your other video. Overall great job.

[@christerkjorneberg7421]

It would have been intresting to see the result after printing 🎯

[@spacecentergames]

Been waiting for this one!

[@WChambers]

I'd love to see the process of cutting everything down from Architecturally sound to model ready. I've explained this detailed and long process to several people in attempts to get them to understand how difficult it can be but they do not seem to understand. They are also hoping that someone will create an AI that will be able to shell the exterior and simplify a model in minutes, but that'll come soon enough for all of us.

[@richardstiers9010]

See my comment. I use Sketchup almost exclusively to c4eate 3D parts. SLS. I find myself spending WEEKS gutting, clening up, a searching microscopic ticks, that prevent objects from becoming Solids. It's sometimes ridiculous, because the object will be entirely a solid resin part.

[@richardstiers9010]

Thank you for this. I use Sketchup Pro almost exclusively to design small complex 3D parts. Sometimes importing drawing from the warehouse. Is there a way to ....what is in essence, scan the exterior skin, and eliminate the unnecessary interior? In some cases my work will be printed (never FDM) as a solid block. I spend WEEKS just gutting and cleaning up interior rubbish, searching out tiny anomalies and ticks, to make a 'solid'. What I see is this.... like when you make a copy, instead of it copying the ENTIRE object, it only duplicates the exterior profile. Even if rework is needed, this would tremendously simplify the preparation for 3D printing. Another thought that Sketchup could consider, a MACRO mode that allows it to work on a reduced scale. Many designers are forced to consider other programs due to their 3D printing friendly features. Thanks again, I watch all your videos. You are the best!👍

[@MickHealey]

Very useful video Aaron, thank you. One suggestion I would add in this case. I would make the main body of the house hollow (like an Easter egg). That would save a ton of plastic and time.

[@aarondietzen2995]

This is an interesting experiment… depending on your settings, it may be a wash. Depending on your infill, wall, and support settings you may not save as much material or time as you think! I did this on some smaller buildings and printing solid was much easier and was only marginally more in material! I encourage you to give it a try, though!

[@Jcrum5th]

15 minutes and you don't show the model?

[@aarondietzen2995]

Uhhh… that’s the model behind my head from the beginning of the video!

[@terry8912]

Thanks for this. Very timely for me. I have been experimenting with one of my three story house designs that was built three years ago. I wanted it to be very consistent with the actual house but learned much of what you show in your video. I also wanted to create a model where I could take it apart to see the interior of each floor. There must be a way, but I haven't found it yet. Maybe tiny magnets to hold the floors together?

[@pablomondragon5738]

It would have been nice to show the 3D printed model.?

[@rienwijnsma3410]

Thanks. After I have exported the design to a stl file I always import this in 3d builder from microsoft first. Many errors ( if found ) are then corrected and a useful file is created/saved. Cura is happy to slice it.

[@johanflodkvist80]

Was excited to see the process of making a solid from detailed BIM model. So was a little disappointed when you skipped the interesting part. If you make that video I would probably watch it multiple times! I do this for work and it often ends with me drawing the building from skratch instead of cleaning the architects geometry.

[@_Breakdown]

Thank you for sharing - - this is very helpful. Suggestion - it would be even better if you could show the finished model (as well as the earlier problematic one/s). Thanks again - great explanations. 🙂👍🏻

[@arqsergiomartinez]

For the scale shown in the video, what is the thickness of the walls and glass of the house? Should the minimum thickness be 2 mm?

[@aarondietzen2995]

The model is a single solid. The final print was under 4” across total.

[@asd-fw7yb]

super tutorial - danke!👌👍