How to Export STL from Blender for 3D Printing

[@remervkeberb1128]

Your calm and cheerful teaching method brings a smile to my face. Be well good sir.

[@3dpprofessor]

Thank you kindly.

[@TumpaTalapatra]

@@3dpprofessor you have a wonderful and beautiful smile.

[@VelocitysMovies]

As people have said, the way you teach and talk is so awesome and genuine, ty for the video!

[@Prucake]

thanks big man, I'm a heavily experienced game model artist but transferring those skills to the real world is a task indeed - I especially appreciate the automatic manifolding method!

[@AliEgemenB]

ım modelling a grain silo for a science project and u saved my life thx sir :)

[@3dpprofessor]

Glad I could help!

[@mholly1389]

I cant stress how much this helped me out.

[@NerdyVet]

wow, listening to you is so much fun. I really wish my Professors at university would have this charisma. 🙂 Thank you so much for these tipps. I had a hard time with exporting my first blender sculpts because these came out so tiny in my slicer program, they were hardly to find on my print platform 😀lol THANK YOU 😙

[@diggpen1249]

Thank you for making this. I had to make a cover to protect my power button on my computer so a cat can't accidentally shut it off if they jump up on it, but had to use some booleans to cut out the usb and audio ports as well but couldn't figure out how to export the model with the boolean modifiers in place. Now I'm happy, the cat is warm, and I won't get kicked out of a game online anymore.

[@pamarmo]

God why didn't I find you earlier, you just saved me hours of manually searching for mesh errors

[@TBjunk25]

Thank you ! You seem like a really cool, wish there was more teachers like you.

[@LiamsTroubles]

thank you so much, blender is to confusing to try and learn but each video i learn new things, and this one helped so i can actually print my model and make it good, thank you

[@tedhobby]

I'm new to blender and 3D printing. Thank you very much for the "selection only" option. All this time I need to open other blender program and copy paste the selection just to export it LOL

[@MrEtnavyguy]

OMG, i've been trying to figure this out for years. Thanks! I was saving and deleting every item except the one I wanted to export as an stl.

[@НикитаМазов-й5я]

Apparently, my second comment will be this)... you, Sir, have a very nice tie! Thank you for your way of delivering knowledge. I was once so lucky to have an English teacher. And now I can understand your speech. However, I aspire to understand you as an expert. One day, I will be a senior-artist in a world-class studio.

[@AndrewSink]

Awesome! This is a classic stumbling point for Blender users; great video!

[@ricks3754]

thank you so much! i was having troubles with the export stl from blender, but the addon solved all!

[@thedabblingwarlock]

@3:15 ish - There's a Batch option that is great for files that just have kitbash parts that are single objects. That's probably why.

[@remon563]

aye, I like your method of teaching sir. Good fortune on your journey and thank you for sharing this knowledge.

[@ralphboyegg]

Clear explanation!

[@cglaw11]

thank you so much for this video! As a 3D artist that trying to transition from modeling for animation to print, you answered so many questions both directly and indirectly. thank you thank you thank you.

[@Nikolozz_57]

This video was very helpful. Thank you.

[@commanderllama]

Thank you so much! I was having trouble with my slicer program unable to read the mesh, but this video squared it away and the model came out awesome!

[@walsh1]

Exceptional video!

[@winstonchaychel]

Spocktapus is awesome lol. Tysm for the video! Live long and prosper 😂🖖

[@romanlf5620]

Thank you for this video; well explained, calm and straight forward !

[@richardrgarabedian9054]

great video. 3d builder was a huge life saver. See i modeled something in Blender..and i used the correct measurements before doing so..But still when i exported it in stl it would print super small..I never figured it out. But now i dont need to, i can just resize it in 3d builder

[@TeeVeesGreatest]

Thanks so much Professor! You have a gift for sure. This will get me on my way to making my own designs! All the best!

[@JohnnyJohnstonÖ]

“Octopussy” you walked right into that one

[@Shoushank-Ai]

Thank you so much, hust bought a printer and was so confused)

[@BillyFrost1865]

Thanks teacher :D

[@saibotyurico]

this is great, thank you so much!

[@AT-gu8by]

Subscribed!

[@wesleyphibbs2869]

ty, omgosh so annoying i needed that non default button check marked on export!

[@lacrauangolano]

thank you sir i will follow you. nice to meet you and be well good sir.

[@НикитаМазов-й5я]

So.. first of all... your manner of speaking, Sir, made me to subscribe and like the video immediately after explanation of "Selection only check button" purpose. That's the moment i've lost it))) all the thumbs are UP!! Second of all, i would like to know if you have courses at Udemy, or anywhere else. I need them. P.S. This is, i believe, my first ever comment on KZbin. Thank you!!!

[@3dpprofessor]

I've considered a course somewhere, but haven't taken the time to make it yet. Welcome to the comments section!

[@Tayamito]

Thank you very much! I love the way you teach, it truly feel like you enjoy what you're doing and that makes the learning very enjoyable :)

[@mr.cookie8400]

Thank you so so much i really needed this :)

[@DukeOfMarshall]

I agree. "Selection only" should be the default. I've also griped about that very same thing for years. Never made sense.

[@3dpprofessor]

IT USED TO BE THE DEFAULT!

[@JJ-vp3bd]

@@3dpprofessor What happens if 3d builder lags out and doesnt complete the repair?

[@3dpprofessor]

@@JJ-vp3bd couple of possibilities. Most likely you have a very complex and very damaged mesh. First thing to try is drop it into your slicer and see what it makes of it. Maybe you don't need a repair. But check that preview carefully. If there are still problems, can the mesh be simplified? Can it be fixed by hand?

[@adisage]

@@3dpprofessor You can configure any plug-in defaults to your liking :- 1. Open Blender in Admin mode (Right click on Blender icon in Start Menu > 'More' > 'Run as Administrator') 2. 'File' menu > 'Export' > 'Stl' 3. Right click on 'Selection Only' > 'Edit Source' - - (if you don't see the Edit Source option, open Blender Preferences > 'Interface' > 'Developer Extras'. 4. Close the export window and go to 'Scripting' workflow. At the top, click on the drop-down list near 'New' and 'Open'. Click on '__init__.py' 5. At this point, you will see the plug-in script (a long string of python code). Scroll all the way to the top of the script and click on the first line to move your cursor to the top of the script. 6. Press 'CTRL + F' > type Export selected objects only > click on Find Next ( !! use the Find 'Next button', do not press Enter!! ). 7. Just below the selected text, you will find default=False,.... replace it with default=True, (make sure capital T, no spaces and a comma at the end of line) 8. 'Text' menu > 'Save' and viola... next time you try to export in stl, the option should be turned on by default :) I hope this helps. Really nice series of tutorials btw! Thanks a lot !

[@3dpprofessor]

@@adisage Why, it's so simple, anyone could do it! Thanks for the step-by-step. My only complaint is that this doesn't stick around after an update sometimes. So you've got to do it over and over again.

[@HBComics]

good video , sometimes I get STLs that have this problems, with forms inside...was looking for a solution to have only external geometry but didn't find, looks like the netfabb page doesn't exist and also don't have 3d builder...blender really doesn't have a easy way to keep only external? I been doing a full remesh for lack of other sollution...

[@PadawanPrinter]

As a Blender noob, this was extremely helpful! I keep scratching my head at the decisions the Blender gurus bake into the software, but I guess everything has its eclectics. I hate the " Oh, you'll get used to it" sentiment. No, things should be intuitive. But now I'm complaining... It is also weird that I have to use Windows or Netfabb to clean up an stl. Why doesn't Blender include this?! Anyway, thank you for these tutorials!

[@3dpprofessor]

Keep in mind, Blender isn't made for making models for 3D printing. It's a 3D animation program that you *can* make models for 3D printing in. Fortunately, it's extensible, so until it's officially fixed, you could write a fix for it that might get folded into the official release.

[@master3design-v7g]

Thanks

[@Knaufsalzer]

Hello, I've just exported my STL with selection only and the chitubox doesn't want to open it, it says invalid file but if I export the file without selection only then it works fine. Do you have any suggestion?

[@starman2220]

You're truly an amazing guy, thank you! :)

[@avejst]

Great video as always 👍 Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us 👍😊

[@lucutes2936]

Do I have to join all of the objects into one? Let's say I have a bicycle model that is separated into a frame, pedals, tires n stuff, and of course the foundation (ground). Do I have to use union modifier, ctrl+j? Or nothing at all?

[@3dpprofessor]

Are you talking about multiple non-overlaping parts? If the parts don't overlap then it would be the same to select multiple parts and export them or to boolean union them and export the unioned part.

[@pauld5966]

thankyou so helpful

[@tadeasfedor3511]

You made it look harder than it is, just select what u want to export make sure that you don't have any missing faces or flipped normals and export with selection only as stl. Than open in prusa slicer and if it need it repair it there (it's automatic process) and if it can't repair it the way you want, use Netfabb, if it's still wrong that means that your model is just wrong :D

[@3dpprofessor]

Prusa slicer, Flashprint, and Ideamaker all can automatically repair bad meshes with deferring degrees of success. Cura and Simplify3D doesn't even try.

[@4STEVEJOY34]

In SketchUp there is a free tool "Solid Inspector" that will examine your model, point out all the errors. You can fix them or it will fix them for you. Shift / Tab will show where the error is. I make every project 100% perfect. And I know what was wrong and where.

[@anasuyasatapathy]

thank your help sir . 😊

[@JJ-vp3bd]

does this still work for 3d printing?

[@scorpio2t]

Sweet!! So glad I found this, trying to use my photon s 🍻

[@DoctorMadness]

Thanks for the education!

[@neilfpv]

Hi 3D Printing Professor. Do you have a video tutorial where you convert a toy like for example a head of a cartoon character like PopEye then you export it as an stl in Blender?

[@3dpprofessor]

I have done some things like that on my other channel @blenderfor3Dprinting. Also, I have an old video where I made the genie from Aladdin and printed it on the Davinci Color. So, yes, i've done a little.

[@neilfpv]

@@3dpprofessor thanks a lot! I'll look for it. :)

[@noemiapereira6670]

very nice explanations. But for the absolut begginners out there that somehow are doing everything in this clip but still got a corrupt file in cura... you must be in object mode, select the object and then click the export thing.

[@no-page]

Photoshop cracked dll? Might want to review your explorer windows before publishing... Thanks for the content, by the way.

[@3dpprofessor]

Good eye. Heh. I bought it legitimately... in college. But they discontinued support and I lost the original medium, so it was either that or $300 a month for something I use just for thumbnails. Couldn't see it.

[@eciovsolutions]

Help me lot , will try-- thx

[@JoseMartinez-iq3xq]

Great tutorial. For linux alternative 3D Builder?

[@3dpprofessor]

Upload to Cloud.netfabb.com. but you'll need to make a Microsoft account.

[@rabies8496]

Can i use just solidify modif instead boolian? I have nice grid, normals. thats wiil be ok?

[@3dpprofessor]

Depends on your application. Solidify turns your shape into a shell with an outer and inner wall. Maybe you're thinking about the remesh modifier with the voxelize setting. That would work, but it means you have to turn your model into discreet and evenly space points all over your mesh, and I kinda like having a little more control of where the points go.

[@hyper4games967]

where can we take your classes online and how much?

[@3dpprofessor]

It's through MyTechHigh, and I don't know if it's online like that. But maybe it should be. Where would you recommend I host it?

[@hyper4games967]

@@3dpprofessor make liken the KZbin you have and a separate email so students can email you questions and comments from like Step by step so they get it

[@playerone6373]

sir question, so saving the object as an stl and import it to the windows 3d model app and repair will completely fix everything inside? like any extruding parts inside the mesh?

[@3dpprofessor]

3D Builder does a really good job with all mesh problems, including parts inside that you don't want.

[@playerone6373]

@@3dpprofessor i see, so i guess its an ai that maintain the outer wall and eliminates any portruding parts inside?

[@PlatedGuy]

is cloud/service netfabb shut down?

[@3dpprofessor]

Apparently. That's sad. Options are disapearing.

[@slinginlead4886]

helo sir i need some advice

[@3dpprofessor]

My first piece of advice is "don't ask to can ask, just ask". I can not provide any advice on a request for advice without information about what the advice you need is about.

[@slinginlead4886]

@@3dpprofessor ok thank you i need or want to print a rugby ball with a photo on how does one do it and what programs do i need

[@3dpprofessor]

@@slinginlead4886 Generally speaking, most 3D printers only do one color. So photos are kinda out of the reach of them. Unless you want to use a fancy 3D printer which can do full color or a 3D printing service with that sort of 3D printer. Is that what you're trying to do?

[@slinginlead4886]

@@3dpprofessor thank you but no i mean a lothophane that is a rugby ball

[@3dpprofessor]

@@slinginlead4886 lithophanemaker.com can make round ones. But if you need it to be a rugby ball shape you're going to have to learn to model it yourself. Do you know Blender?

[@jayplaytv0840]

what do I do if my model is smooth in blender but in the 3d printing slicing software it is blocky and low poly

[@3dpprofessor]

Right click on the object in Blender and choose "Shade Flat".

[@bsambsam4780]

Excuse me, is there a way to export poetry? For example, if I add poetry to an object, can I export it?

[@3dpprofessor]

As long as you make sure it's a 3d object shaped like your poetry, yeah. I have an old video about adding text to objects. It's a little outdated but the principals still work.

[@lackeyanims1733]

Hey I’ve been trying to find the cheapest laptop or computer for 3D printing but I don’t have the money for like 400$ compter or laptop what would u suggest as a cheap laptop or computer I should use

[@3dpprofessor]

I don't really know what's available in the realm of computers, and that field keeps changing rapidly, so I can't really keep up with it either. Sorry.

[@lackeyanims1733]

It’s ok thx tho for ur tutorials there really cool

[@skillkid0077]

Can you help me please? When I export the file into STL, I can't open the file, it's a 3D Builder file, but when I open it, it just kicks me out.

[@skillkid0077]

Sometimes, it doesn't kick me, it just says "Couldn't load that"

[@3dpprofessor]

I've been having that recently, too. I have to reexport from Blender and then it works fine.

[@skillkid0077]

@@3dpprofessor It worked! Thank you so much!

[@fiyyk8056]

Hello, I watched your video, but unfortunately did not find a solution to my problem. The thing is that when exporting a model for 3D printing, using the stl format, the quality of the model deteriorates greatly - rounded areas become angular (probably the number of polygons becomes less when exporting). I had the same problem when exporting 3D models from AutoCAD - the solution was to use the FACETRES command and increase the default value to the maximum. However, for blender I have never been able to find a solution and I would be very grateful if you could tell me!

[@3dpprofessor]

If you could jump on my discord and upload the file, or post some pictures I'll be able to check it out for sure. But, with what information I have, the best I can say is that you're getting exactly what's there. What's the source of this file? Did you make it in Blender or was it make elsewhere? Chances are if it looks smooth in Blender that you've got smooth shading on, a method for faking your eyes into thinking there's more geometry than there is. Switch to flat shading by right-clicking on the object and choosing "flat shading", and you'll see what's really there.

[@meinbherpieg4723]

This should be included in Blender at this point.

[@dylanvoisard]

Hope your prayers will be heard by the Blender angels

[@googleboughtmee]

Lots of people say the video is good so I'm probably missing something - but you started off with your mesh already ready to export with a million boolean modifiers on it? How do we get to that point to begin with? I thought I'd just apply my scales, apply my modifiers, select everything and hit Ctrl+J... but you didn't do any of those things and just said make sure you have it all as manifolds, which I've never even heard of

[@3dpprofessor]

You don't need to apply your modifiers to export an STL. Just export it with your modifiers on there.

[@Brackets_Guy]

0:30

[@simony5807]

@3:00 How to export as STL

[@3dpprofessor]

Spocktopus is my Baby Yoda: www.3dpprofessor.com/2021/01/09/how-to-export-from-blender-for-3d-printing/

[@Mercento]

Blender export to STL is x10 smaller. I have tried all the setting in blender and nothing works. I am losing it.

[@3dpprofessor]

It's more complcated than you think. STL is unit less, so who says it's too small? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmeqp6ytZrqXfbM But you can set Blender to have it's default unit be 1mm. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqKnn3-daNRsjac

[@JJ-vp3bd]

is there a new thing that works

[@3dpprofessor]

Thing? What do you mean thing?

[@-EhsanMalik-]

Muhahahaaaaaaaaa I am going to print a Donut

[@Lekisuab]

Yes thats right! Really stupid programmers done this "Selection only" empty :)

[@casianionescu3241]

octopussy

[@8U5H1D0]

I love the part where you show torrent files on your disk XD Anyway, video didn't helped :( I want to know how to quickly fill those cavities/holes between internal models you mentioned...

[@chandlerwood7599]

octa what...

[@3dpprofessor]

Spock.

[@epicgamer_9999]

OMG YOUR ASIMO

[@NurdauletBakytuly-l4i]

Octopussy?

[@BOSSposes]

yeah that's now how you do it your model isn't even a solid mesh nor will it be smooth

[@3dpprofessor]

Can you give me an example? If you're on Discord, the link in my description has a #Blender area where we can talk.