Hi everyone,
I have only been using rhino for about 3-4 weeks and am having some problems thickening my models for 3D printing. To make these models i have been using the network surface command to first create the shape i want. I then split that body in half and do surface detailing on one half and then mirror the halved surface so it will be symmetrical and return to one full body/surface. I then continue to to add surface details once the two halves are joined. To make the surface details i use the split and extrude curve command to create the shapes on the original network surface body/half. And using sweeps and lofts to join these split/ removed areas to create the surface detailing. Once i am happy i then use the join command to join all the surfaces to make one poly surface, and then use the offset surface command to try and thicken the model at a thickness of 2mm.
However when i try to thicken my model/surface it glitches and has problems and say failed to create solid, i notice it has problems particularity where straight lines are used for the sweeps/ lofts on the surface. I am not sure if this is because my sweeps/ lofts are at too harsh of an angle or if i am using the wrong techniques to model these surfaces. i have also played around with the tolerances of the offset surface but i has little affect.
sorry if this is too long, Any help would be much appreciated, thank you.