Mass Portal Pharaoh ED User Manual page 13

PRINTING PROCESS OVERVIEW — CONTINUED
STL or OBJ files
G-code is usually generated from 3D models, that are saved in
the STL or OBJ format. Most 3D software today can export to
these formats, and printable files on the Internet are also usually
found in these formats.
3D models
You can generally print 3 kinds of things:
• Printable 3D models downloaded from the Internet — either
free or commercial
• Objects, that are scanned on a 3D scanner and prepared for 3D
printing
• Your own 3D models, designed in any 3D drawing, modeling or
CAD software, that can export to a printable 3D format such as
STL or OBJ
In all cases it is important that the 3D object geometry forms a
solid, dimensional object, that would be possible to print — you
cannot print objects like infinitely thin walls for example, although
you can have such objects on the computer. Sometimes the STL
or OBJ files to be printed can be repaired with the built-in tools or
host or slicing software, and there are also software applications
just for that purpose.
Infill and perimeters of walls
You can choose whether the printed object will be hollow, filled
or partially filled when preparing the model for print with slicing
software. Some software allows for smart infill, placing it only
where neccessary. Wall thickness is also set before printing.
Support
It is impossible to print material, that is "hanging in the air" —
not at least partially supported by the underlying layer. You
can generally print slopes (overhangs) about 45%, when the
underlying layer supports some of the next layer's plastic; or short
"bridges". Different slicing software provides different controls,
but there are also tools like the free Autodesk MeshMixer
that can create supports with detailed control. The bundled
Simplify3D software allows to place supports manually and to
remove automatically generated supports.
MP Delta Manual ENG +.indd 13
TIP Test and sample
files for the bundled
material are provided
on the SD card
included with the
printer.
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