We need to talk about meshing…
I have to export quite a few meshes for clients for a number of reasons -
- limiting use/edibility of the 3D model
- Enabling them to see/use the model in their 3D print programs/CNC software
- By request etc
I’ve always struggled with Rhino over the years trying to get a good result with meshing - exporting to .stl often gives a better result than using the mesh command - exporting to .obj sometimes creates errors that don’t occur when exporting to .stl etc etc.
It’s a bit of a black art - my work flow at the moment is to export things to Fusion 360 and then 3D print but to file (.stl)
Using an array of free software: Meshmixer/ MeshLab and Fusion 360 fixes the problem but it is a work around.
Take a look at the attached file as an example: Standard mesh exports.3dm (1.1 MB)
Not only are the models much cleaner the file size is also much much smaller. Are you guys working on any improvements in this area?
One of the biggest irritations is there is no way to see the errors. Check will tell me there are intersecting faces or problems with the mesh but it won’t highlight them - this is where MeshLab comes in, sometimes I can see the problem and then revisit the model - but it’s not always a modelling issue where the errors creep in.
I’ve imported each mesh model into the open file, the .obj export and then import created a bad mesh and also rotated the mesh in the wrong orientation for some reason.
Cheers
Andy
(show edges is only one options to interrogate a mesh)