Hey everyone. So after doing a load of research on this topic, I’m still struggling to understand what needs to be done to successfully optimise Architectural 1:1 scale buildings/renders/interior objects in a way that they can be printed so when it’s scaled down it doesn’t make the file non printable. Any advice on how to do so would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I think it s impossible to answer your question in general.
Please provide a sample file and also very important: a scale / factor / ratio you want to use.
One thing would be windows. Real thickness of the glass might be about 2 centimeters. Let’s assume scale 1:50 and your glass part of the window is 0.4 mm thick. This is too thin for most printers.
Most of the architectural models I’ve received are a mix of meshes and polysurfaces and mostly quite messy. Some of the models had beams in blocks and they consisted of 4 mesh faces and 2 surfaces. Suck a mixed geometry type block cannot be printed just like that.
I would look at model train scales (or visit your local model train club) to get an idea of how much detail can be seen at different scales. Afterwards, compare the smallest features of the model trains to the resolution of the printer you are going to use and see if there is a mismatch–you’ll want the resolution of the printer to be smaller than the smallest important features you want to see. This will give you an idea of what scale you should be printing at.
Also, use more generic furniture objects instead of specific and detailed furniture objects to improve the chance of print survival.
In terms of printing tech, my gut tells me that a binder-jetter printer will give you the best chance of print survival as there is no support material to remove and very little distortion on the final printed object. The downside is that it will not be cheap to print as the machines themselves are expensive, and the finished object can be delicate.
A runner-up is a resin printer which will capture the details beautifully, and resin printers are pretty widespread, you might be able to source a hobbyist. The downside is that resin prints will warp, especially with boxy-like forms that comprise architecture.