When sketching or using construction planes, how does one recognize that one has or is creating them as inverted planes?
Before 3D print slicing, I run my model through Freeform to check for errors and it typical tells me I’ve got “inverted planes” that need to be fixed as this can confuse the slicing software as to the objects orientation and integration with other objects around it.
I don’t understand how I’ve created them in the first place! Is there a good work practice to follow that will minimize or prevent these?
Thanks
Simon
What happens if you slice your model without using Freeform? I’ve found Shapr .3mf files to be error free as far as my slicer is concerned.
And what happens if you don’t check them in Freeform? Does the slicer not slice them?
Bob3DPO, I’ve never exported to .3mf, I’ve just been exporting to .stl. Have t go read what the former is.
I don’t use the checking software Formware unless Lychee produces an error code “object can’t be fixed”… since it’s a free service, it does a good job of clearing up non manifold and inverted pane issues. The download from them goes back into Lychee and “Bob’s (sic) your uncle”…
I have ignored the Lychee error and just gone and sliced the files in some cases with some mixed results; rippling on the surfaces or collapsed forms. On a couple of files, I haven’t noticed anything glaringly obvious, so it’s difficult to say “just ignore the errors”. Sorry I can’t be more elaborate.
I think my mind is really fixed on what process one should be aware of when creating various objects and how it is possible, quite unknowingly in the CAD phase, to create problems down the line else reflect what I guess is potentially poor design practice.
Hi @simonk565,
For this conversation, I could have said STL. (3mf contains more info, like units. Also can contain some sliced results info, like painted on supports, %infill, #perimeters, etc. I rarely export STL…)
Shapr3D throws an error if you try to create non-manifold. I know different softwares use different definition as to what are the x-y-z axes, and people will complain that things are always tipped 90°. I’ll need to read about inverted panes; this is the first I’ve heard about it 
.
Some STLs from the internet do have errors. Often these make the file un-importable into Shapr3D. When I look at these in my slicer, it tells me how many errors were repaired.
Your approach and mindset are fantastic!
Rippling on surfaces might be ringing from the printer. Is the rippling visible in the sliced layers?
Not sure I understand "Is the rippling visible in the sliced layers? If you are asking do I see this effect when viewing in the slicing software, then the answer is no. I posted photos to Anycubic and they at first thought Z axis errors, but that was a red herring. The projects affected by that only began to show this after I used CAD to amend the files; and due to being a novice I mean a lot of time cutting, changing, redoing, etc which I think was causing the problems. Unfortunately I haven’t gone back to them for some time as I needed a break. Other files I’ve been working on haven’t had these issues which ruled out machine problems and pushed me back to the belief it’s my hand fistedness using CAD!
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" Shapr3D throws an error if you try to create non-manifold."
It does? I’ve never received that flag when I export to stl or save the project. I only know I’ve got these when I’ve tried the slicing software else put up through file testing software. Is this error auto flagged and if so when or is there a preference setting I need to switch on?
While this conversation runs its course, I have watched some very useful tutorials on using the tools “properly” so I will be re-tackling the file I created this week from scratch in a more organized manner.
The error is often Boolean Operation Failed, or Invalid Body if I recall correctly. I don’t remember ever seeing “non-manifold” in the message. It is an error when trying to create an invalid body.
Have you seen a non-manifold error on a model created entirely in Shapr3D?
Here is a trivial example trying to union 2 bodies where one edge is shared. Boolean Operation Fail. Then I make the upper body a little longer so the edge is not shared. The union works fine. Finally, I try to make that upper portion back to the original dimension and it fails. All the fails have the same cause of the shared edge when trying to make a non-manifold body.