Preparing a model for printing

The Print tab walks you through four steps: Check, Fix, Parts, Export.

Check

• Print report: size, volume, filament weight, thinnest wall, overhangs, loose pieces and bed fit.
• Show wall thickness: colours walls red where they’re under your minimum, amber under 1.5 times it, green above, and reports the thinnest wall.
• Overhang view: shows faces that will need support.
• Print bed: pick your printer’s bed size and see whether the model fits; scale to fit if not.

Fix

Fix	Does
Flat base	Slices the bottom flat so it sits on the bed
Hollow	Makes a shell of a chosen thickness, with an optional drain hole for resin
Remove floating bits	Deletes every piece but the largest

Parts

Split into parts with alignment pegs, and add a base with lettering.

Export

STL for most slicers, or multi-colour 3MF. Set an export height to scale the model, or leave it at 0 for real size. Every export reports its size and that it’s watertight.

Note

Shapeaway clay is always watertight, so there are no holes to repair. What still needs checking is physics: thin walls, overhangs and loose pieces.