# 3D printing inner core geometry

**URL:** <https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479>\
**Category:** Rhino for Windows\
**Tags:** windows, grasshopperrhino, rhino8\
**Created:** [October 21, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479 "2024-10-21T20:13:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lander](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/lander/32/511244_2.png) [@lander](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/lander)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/1 "2024-10-21T20:13:26Z")

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I’m going to be putting some time back into 3D printing soon, (starting the next couple days), and when I do this, I’d like to make it more interesting for me and focus on controlling the inner core geometry.

I’ll be organizing here the things that I think are relevant to making this possible.

> [@The 3D-Volume-Voronoi Information Thread](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/the-3d-volume-voronoi-information-thread/163852/3):
>
> Nice! @Ryan14 lots of good threads there. beers I ran out of likes for the day so I’ll have to push that button tomorrow sunglasses I’m going to browse and link things here later too. Ok, so this is a link to the version I was using this last May, which was a culmination from yrs of research and files I found from @DanielPiker I’m pretty sure. I never quite understood what’s totally going on in that file. But I plan to do more work and compiling. Then I’ll upload new mods, and maybe…

I’m mostly interested in the ‘voronoi/delaunay’ geometries, but I’m open to all possibilities.

I believe controlling the inner core structure is an important aspect that has been neglected.

So, I’ll gather whatever I find useful. And share anything I can.

I still have more to learn about Iguana.

> [@The 3D-Volume-Voronoi Information Thread](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/the-3d-volume-voronoi-information-thread/163852/11):
>
> [Iguana 3D mesh is this Voronoi.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/1HEoivgPzpJfTKZ5EHf6fYwh6ju.gh) (1010.6 KB) Not sure if this is 3D Voronoi. The cells(Breps) are produced by the Iguana plugin.

> [@The 3D-Volume-Voronoi Information Thread](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/the-3d-volume-voronoi-information-thread/163852/12):
>
> Updated version.

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**Author:** ![Helvetosaur](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/helvetosaur/32/635974_2.png) [@Helvetosaur](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Helvetosaur)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/2 "2024-10-21T20:52:46Z")

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Dunno, most of the 3D printer software out there have a bazillion ways/patterns to manage infill.

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**Author:** ![lander](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/lander/32/511244_2.png) [@lander](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/lander)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 11:07pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/3 "2024-10-21T23:07:24Z")

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There definitely seems to be alot of things that have be tried and are under development.

I’ve dabbled in quite a bit of them, and I feel like they’re still missing something. I think of those as what would be in between (as a filler) the core geometry I’m imagining and my outer geometries.

I will have to demonstrate.

The main thing is mostly that those random patterns that slicers have, don’t seem to be very structurally sound relative to the underlying geometry – and are too random imo.

Hence, I feel like I need to discover a solution that will be stronger.

I like the voronoi stuff so far. If anything, I will focus on streamlining something with that.

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**Author:** ![Tom\_P](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/tom_p/32/766520_2.png) [@Tom\_P](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Tom_P)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/4 "2024-10-21T23:33:36Z")

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Check their powerful rhino plugin:

> **[Main](https://spherene.ch/)**
>
> Transform your designs with spherene's Adaptive Density Minimal Surfaces (ADMS). Achieve efficient material use, high rigidity, and optimal stress distribution. Explore more at spherene.

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**Author:** ![lander](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/lander/32/511244_2.png) [@lander](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/lander)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/5 "2024-10-21T23:51:00Z")

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That looks sweet!!! 😃

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**Author:** ![martinsiegrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/martinsiegrist/32/498369_2.png) [@martinsiegrist](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/martinsiegrist)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 4:06am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/6 "2024-10-22T04:06:14Z")

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Look at the new isopod plugin from @DanielPiker

It can be used for boolean operations with rounded edges and to create infills. It’s quite interesting paired with shrinkwrap…

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**Author:** ![lander](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/lander/32/511244_2.png) [@lander](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/lander)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 7:20am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/7 "2024-10-22T07:20:55Z")

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> [@martinsiegrist](#):
>
> Look at the new isopod plugin from @DanielPiker

🤔 🤯 🍻

> [@Isopod - implicit surface tools](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/isopod-implicit-surface-tools/188951):
>
> Meet Isopod! A new set of tools for implicit surfaces. [flow\_00001] Available now through the package manager for Grasshopper in Rhino 8. Example files and more details to follow…

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/d/b/c/dbc6c5a606fe0b9e31aaf15d2c4583e127eeeae0.png)  
🥹 🎶  
this looks amazing! I hope I figure out how to use it. 🙂 I still have lots of reading and learning to do. haha

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**Author:** ![martinsiegrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/martinsiegrist/32/498369_2.png) [@martinsiegrist](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/martinsiegrist)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 7:22am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/8 "2024-10-22T07:22:44Z")

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There are a few example files in the topic where Daniel announced the plugin

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lander](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/lander/32/511244_2.png) [@lander](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/lander)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 7:24am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/9 "2024-10-22T07:24:02Z")

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I’ll have to study those for sure 🙂

> [@Isopod - implicit surface tools](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/isopod-implicit-surface-tools/188951/4):
>
> I’m still putting together a full collection of examples, but here are a few very basic ones for starters: (Install Isopod from the Rhino PackageManager command before trying these definitions) [primitives\_and\_booleans.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/osxDk4mc4XGxglNRVRvwltUEKmW.gh) (29.9 KB) [offset.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/A589GDtpchdNDEMwuh7cWuyMh9I.gh) (83.2 KB) [shelling.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/rw33KgV6ec3Y6xBpg5PSFxNsauI.gh) (92.2 KB) [TPMS.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/8tRxlXLeF2DC2DnygC7nIe8L0F6.gh) (20.4 KB) [field\_display.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/2aQArRauD2dAnvQtjYwp16NBhm2.gh) (31.1 KB) [cut\_mesh\_with\_field.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/g7CUSwqGDwXwZmJci64RoaHvhEF.gh) (18.2 KB) [kangaroo\_pull\_to\_isosurf.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/l5w7pdQwMXbHY0mWhjYBh9t2HtU.gh) (20.3 KB) [root\_find\_wrap.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/6orUvVBavLE9rrTIxfNuIY4xKpc.gh) (14.3 KB)

I’m only like 12 posts in, and my mind blown already. 😅

> [@martinsiegrist](#):
>
> Look at the new isopod plugin

> [@Isopod - implicit surface tools](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/isopod-implicit-surface-tools/188951/31):
>
> Here’s an infill example:
> 
> ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/9/8/f/98fb189d24442df80dbd11aafb7fc1bf2e9e2733.jpeg)

🤯 so cool!

> [@Isopod - implicit surface tools](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/isopod-implicit-surface-tools/188951/78):
>
> (these examples are all fairly flat just to make it easier to see, but this all works for volumes too, not just in 2d)
> 
> ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/a/0/1/a01321de9c2c4e7eeca3efc4bdae3d8fdfd6436f.jpeg)
> 
> [aligned\_spinodoid\_example2.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/tZ4Z2AJFCka9zs9fAQxQUGBm6kQ.gh) (54.5 KB)
> 
> So there you have it, a way to generate stochastic curved surface structures with local alignment and scaling. These have potential applications in structurally optimised infill for lightweight parts, medical implants, heat exchangers…
> 
> This is all fairly new and experimental. Spinodoids are a relatively recent invention, and I’ve only recently made this implementation. The use of the bump function weights to combine point sampled inputs as a way of controlling the anisotropy is my own twist here.  
> A big part of the aim with Isopod was to make this sort of experimentation possible. I’d be interested to see how anyone applies or develops these ideas further.
> 
> A few more references:
> 
> ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/f/4/2/f42930630dcd8e10d57fdb06bd5254e40a7edd70.jpeg)  
> (image from [Machine learning unifies flexibility and efficiency of spinodal structure generation for stochastic biomaterial design | Scientific Reports](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-31677-7))
> 
> ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/5/5/4/554ec35976d968c20b57d8d0e7cc894cef266363.jpeg)
> 
> (image from [Data-driven topology optimization of spinodoid metamaterials with seamlessly  
> tunable anisotropy ](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2012.15744))
> 
> [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322520818\_3D\_stochastic\_bicontinuous\_microstructures\_Generation\_topology\_and\_elasticity](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322520818_3D_stochastic_bicontinuous_microstructures_Generation_topology_and_elasticity)
> 
> [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41524-020-0341-6](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41524-020-0341-6)

> [@Isopod - implicit surface tools](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/isopod-implicit-surface-tools/188951/78):
>
> A big part of the aim with Isopod was to make this sort of experimentation possible. I’d be interested to see how anyone applies or develops these ideas further.

> [@Isopod - implicit surface tools](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/isopod-implicit-surface-tools/188951/81):
>
> It looks like it could have an application in 3d print infill.

🤯 🤩

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lander](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/lander/32/511244_2.png) [@lander](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/lander)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/3d-printing-inner-core-geometry/193479/10 "2024-10-22T17:00:36Z")

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> [@lander](#):
>
> I’m mostly interested in the ‘voronoi/delaunay’ geometries, but I’m open to all possibilities.

> [@Problems with Multipipe subD](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/problems-with-multipipe-subd/189318/8):
>
> Here’s a solution with the new Isopod plugin. It does not require culling closest points or near coincident segments: [isopod\_voronoi\_sphere.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/7zFOl10HTDOKPrRQASONgugRR2J.gh) (21.9 KB)

voronoi 🤯 🤩 😃

speechless 😅

> [@Internal mass reduction for 3D printed parts](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/internal-mass-reduction-for-3d-printed-parts/190045/8):
>
> Here’s an example of doing just this with Isopod in Grasshopper: [isopod\_shell\_example.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/UoUI8rSy3zr0EtZsYKPsveN5W1.gh) (210.3 KB)

Once I get going on this soon imma be asking about more voronoi’s.

Still lots of reading and review and testing lol.

Also i think this person makes a very good point:

> [@Isopod - implicit surface tools](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/isopod-implicit-surface-tools/188951/131):
>
> Is it possible, using Isopod or otherwise, to create a lattice structure that follows the shape of an object, rather than just being orthogonal (?) So take the mesh in the attached file… rather than the lattice filling the bounding box of the shape and being trimmed to the shape’s boundary, create a lattice that is morphed to flow along the shape? Controlling the density of the lattice along the shape so it could be denser in the middle or ends? [MeshLatticeFollowShape.gh](https://discourse.mcneel.com/uploads/short-url/56EMCpiyyKwFbhsmZiFLnV7l9yQ.gh) (24.1 KB)

looking forward to playing with isopods 😃 🤩