Fix Holes in Imported Mesh (.stl, .obj, .dae)

[@keggyification]

Wow thanks Aaron, I wasn't aware of the ability to change import scale. This will really help.

[@eTraxx]

Me too. I knew I could enlarge the model before import to fix the problem but like Keggy says .. wasn't aware I could do it at the import level. Cool.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I watch all of the Level Up tutorials. Even when I don't have a current need, it still enhances my knowledge base for SU. Currently, I'm exporting the Paulk Smart Designs for CNC. I would like to see videos demonstrating the optimal export settings for CNC shops to convert to their machine code.

[@florinapostoiu]

Select All -> Weld Edges -> Export 3D -> DXF (Options -> check only edges) -> done

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I will give that a try. Thank You@@florinapostoiu

[@florinapostoiu]

@@TheSmartWoodshop By exporting 3D DXF fixes the problem of polygonal curves, arcs, and circles, but this way Sketchup exports the entire model, regardless of hidden objects and/or tags (which does not happen with 2D DXF). For example, AutoCAD recognizes and respects what you have hidden, but Corel does not and it shows the entire model; most CNC software behaves much like Corel, so, to avoid this problem, it is better to copy into a separate model only the objects that you want to export to your CNC. If you do not weld, Corel recognizes all the curves, arcs, and circles as such (so most likely any other CNC software), but by not welding, on small circles, arcs, curves, segments... AutoCAD it is making them look much weirder than in your real model. So, depending on each software, it all comes down to trial.! If you do not have to weld you are lucky (which is most probably - as I said, Corel is a reference) and you don't have to worry at all about segmentation. But if you have to weld... then it is better that first you find the maximum number of segments for each curve, arc, circle; it is an extra step (a few actually...) but there is no perfect software. This is my experience - give it to others.! 🙂

[@fahrvergnuugen]

I believe these holes are created when the imported stl geometry is too small for sketchup to handle. Most of my projects are in mm. What I do is import the STL in Meters (there is a configuration button on the import screen where you can set the import units). I then use the CleanUp³ plugin to remove all of the surface triangulation. After that I use the scale tool to shrink the object back to mm.

[@DarrellPaul-e6h]

Cool. Especially importing size

[@jonomoles]

This is not my idea- I’ve seen it on the Forum. First, reverse all the faces of your import and paint the now outside a nice hot colour like pink or orange. Then reverse faces again. Now as you orbit the model holes should be much more visible. Another tip for anyone 3D printing, if you’re chasing holes or other small errors in vain, try exporting an STL and sending it to your slicing software. Mine seems quite accommodating and runs a repair if needed.

[@SketchUp]

Something like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYTPqJZtm72oo5I

[@dymaxiondesign7477]

Just came across this importing model figures, ow I have options to clean it up! Thanks!

[@GiuseppeTresTRIK]

Molte grazie, questo è sempre stato un mio problema 👋👋👋

[@mapit07]

Aaron, what is a good mesh editor (outside of the native tools) for SketchUp you recommend

[@dhammer5645]

Aaron: lets chang the import scale from mm to m. Now it's a 100 times bigger! Me: ahh you 1000 times bigger? 🤣

[@CalgaryBen]

Awesome, thanks! I don't even want to count up all the hours I've wasted in the past, manually stitching up holes in models. Armed with these new strategies, the effort should be greatly reduced!

[@urbanum-design]

How we can change the Geometries from Triangles / Verticals to rectangle and what's about the Texture, you rebake it? would be cool if its work with Sketchup, I use Blender for this!

[@vargazs2005]

Thanks!

[@SketchUp]

You bet!

[@princessbloom8657]

when i import a dea file then sketchup gets heavy, is there a solution ?

[@peenpa]

I’m going to miss fixing holes 😅

[@edwinfolk8090]

Thanks for the info. Good tutorial. One question though, I noticed that when I try this method with a DAE file, it doesn't allow me to scale the import. Is this just with STL files?

[@CanhNguyen-dy2wk]

You can enlarge it 100 times and then import it into sketchup, then you can just shrink it back to 100 times.

[@7Segment555]

Thank you 😀😃😄😁

[@SketchUp]

No problem 👍👍

[@richardstiers9010]

Question: I've done this, enlarging the object to a manageable size, only to be unable to reduce it to print size. The scaled object either starts 'flashing', or goes completely invisible. I have been forced to export .stl files 100_1000x . Any solution?

[@SketchUp]

This is a great question for our forum (forums.sketchup.com). Over there you can share your models and we can work to figure out what is going on (KZbin comments is a rough place to try to trouble shoot workflows!).

[@dymaxiondesign7477]

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