rhino3dprint® 2015 quick start guide

MecSoft Corporation

Rhino3DPRINT 2015 Quick Start Guide

Rhino3DPRINT 2015 Quick Start Guideby MecSoft Corporation

Rhino3DPRINT is a fully integrated, separately licensed, plug-in fromMecSoft Corporation that runs inside the Rhinoceros 5.0 NURBSmodeler. This plug-in offers efficient, easy and automatic tools for thepreparation of 3D data, such as point clouds and meshes, thatotherwise cannot be directly 3D printed. The seamless marriage ofpowerful Rhino's modeling and extensive file import functionality withRhino3DPRINT's data preparation tools enables the user to 3D printmodels from almost any input source and any major 3D format.

What is Rhino3DPRINT?

Why Rhino3DPRINT?Rhino3DPRINT exists as a bridge between users 3D data and the3D printer. 3D data comes in many formats, such as CAD data,scanned data etc. that cannot simply be sent to the 3D printer. This3D data needs to be converted to a format that the 3D printer not onlyunderstands but also can handle. Rhino3DPRINT serves to convertsuch 3D data and make it amenable for 3D printing.

About this GuideThis Quick Start Guide will help you get started with three examplesof how to use Rhino3DPRINT. The example files are installed withthe program.

For additional assistance you can use the on-line help provided withthe program or visit www.mecsoft.com for additional tutorials.

For additional assistence you can use the on-line help provided withthe program or visit www.mecsoft.com for additional tutorials.

3Contents

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Point Clouds 4................................................................................................................................... 51 Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Point Cloud Data................................................................................................................................... 72 Create a Mesh from the Point Cloud

................................................................................................................................... 113 Repair the Mesh Automatically

................................................................................................................................... 124 Perform Uniform Re-meshing

................................................................................................................................... 155 Perform Mesh Smoothing

................................................................................................................................... 176 Analyze the Mesh

................................................................................................................................... 197 Slice the Mesh

................................................................................................................................... 228 Setup for 3D Printing

................................................................................................................................... 259 Check the Mesh for 3D Printing

................................................................................................................................... 3010 Export the Mesh for 3D Printing

Chapter 2: Offset and Split 31................................................................................................................................... 311 Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Part File................................................................................................................................... 362 Diagnose the Mesh................................................................................................................................... 383 Stitch and Close the Mesh Automatically................................................................................................................................... 414 Create a Uniform Offset................................................................................................................................... 435 Split and Cap the Mesh

Chapter 3: Cavity Block 45................................................................................................................................... 451 Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Part File................................................................................................................................... 502 Diagnose the Mesh................................................................................................................................... 523 Stitch and Close the Mesh Automatically................................................................................................................................... 554 Simplify the Mesh................................................................................................................................... 565 Create a Box for the Cavity Block................................................................................................................................... 596 Subtract Mesh from Cavity Block

Index 62

Rhino3DPRINT 2015 Quick Start Guide4

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Chapter 1: Point Clouds

Watch the Video!

In this chapter we will work with Point Cloud data to create and prepare aMesh model for 3D Printing. We will perform the following steps to preparea mesh model for 3D printing using a Point Cloud data file.

1. Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Point Cloud Data

2. Create a Mesh model from the Point Cloud

3. Repair the Mesh Automatically

4. Perform Uniform Re-meshing

5. Perform Mesh Smoothing

6. Analyze the Mesh

7. Slice the Mesh

8. Setup for 3D Printing

9. Check the Mesh for 3D Printing

10. Export the Mesh to an STL file for 3D Printing

Our completed part will look like this:

Chapter 1: Point Clouds 5

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1.1 Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Point Cloud DataLet's begin by launching the Rhino3DPRINT module.

1. From the Rhino Main Menu select Rhino3DPRINT and then Browser from the drop-down menu.

Docked on the left you will see the Rhino3DPRINT Browser.

There is a Ribbon Bar at the top with 5 tabs, Create, Model, Inspect & Modify, Repairand 3D Print.


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2. For now, select the Create tab. Now, let's load the point cloud data for this tutorial.

3. From the Rhino Standard toolbar, select the Folder icon.

4. Find the part file named RubberDuck.txt located in the QuickStart folder and then pickOpen.

5. From the Points Import Options dialog:


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Select Comma under Delimiters Check Create point cloud under options Pick OK to import the point file

6. Once imported, select the Perspective view to work in.

1.2 Create a Mesh from the Point CloudFirst, let's set the correct Part Units in Rhino.

1. From the Rhino Main Menu, select Tools and then Options.

2. Select Units section from the tree and then set the Model Units to Inches and pick OK.


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3. Pick No when it asks you to scale the model.

In the Browser we see that we have one point cloud.

4. From the Create tab of the Browser, select From Point Cloud to create a Mesh model


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from the point cloud.

5. Select the point cloud and press Enter. Note: If the Point Cloud is already selected from the previous step, just press Enter.

Notice that an options dialog appears below the Browser.

6. Accept the default options and then pick Create.


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From the Browser we see that we now have 1 Point Cloud and 1 Mesh with over23,000 Triangles.

7. From the Rhino Standard toolbar, select Shaded Viewport.

8. Then from the Browser we'll turn off the point cloud (by unchecking it) and take a lookat the mesh that was created.

We notice that the point cloud data is incomplete, leaving the model incompatible for3D printing.


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1.3 Repair the Mesh AutomaticallyWe can repair the mesh automatically.

1. From Browser select the Repair tab and then select Auto Fix. This will fix holes, self-intersecting facets and more.

2. Select the mesh model and then press Enter. We see now that all of the gaps areclosed.


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The browser now reports that the mesh over 25,000 triangles.

1.4 Perform Uniform Re-meshingNext we'll re-mesh the model creating a more uniform mesh.

1. From the Inspect & Modify tab, select Re-mesh.


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2. Now we select the mesh model and pick Enter to display the Re-mesh dialog.

3. Selecting the Uniform method will re-mesh the model based on a fixed Edge Length.

4. We'll then set the Edge Length to 0.125 and the # of Iterations to 4.

5. Then uncheck Keep sharp edges and then pick Remesh.

We now see that each facet in the mesh model is uniform.


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1.5 Perform Mesh SmoothingAlthough uniform, we still see areas in the mesh that are rough. Let's smooth these out a bit.

1. From the Inspect & Modify tab, select Smooth.

2. We select the mesh model and pick Enter to display the Smooth dialog.

3. Next, we'll allow the Vertex of each facet to shift in Both Directions (inward andoutward). This means that any smoothing will both add and remove facets asneeded.

4. We'll set the # of Iterations to 4. This means that the second iteration will Smooth theresults of the first and so on.


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5. Now we'll pick the Smooth button and review the results. We see that the mesh looksmuch smoother now.


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1.6 Analyze the MeshNext we'll analyze the mesh model using a couple of different methods.

1. From the Inspect & Modify tab, select Curvature. This will highlight areas of curvatureacross the model.

2. Select the mesh model and pick Enter to display the Curvature dialog.

3. We'll leave the Curvature Type set to Mean and then pick Analyze to see the results.


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4. You can pick the Cancel icon to close the command dialog leaving the meshselected.

5. Now, from the Inspect & Modify tab, select Reflection Lines. This method will indicateany irregularities or tangent discontinuities.

6. Just press Enter because the mesh is already selected from the previous command.


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7. Again, you can pick the Cancel icon to close the command dialog leaving the meshselected.

1.7 Slice the MeshNext, we'll visually Slice the mesh model to simulate levels of 3D printing that will occur.

1. From the Model tab, select Slice.

2. From the Slice dialog, we'll set the Distance between each slice to 0.1 and then pickSlice.


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3. From the Browser, first select the Slice object and then uncheck the Mesh object. The Slice will be clearly highlighted on the screen.

The Browser displays information about the Slice. Notice that the icon is displayed


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indicating that NO open curves are present.

4. If you right-click on the Slice object from the Browser you can Export it to actual curvegeometry if needed.

5. For now, we'll hide the Slice from view by unchecking it and display the mesh again bychecking it.


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1.8 Setup for 3D PrintingNow, we'll setup the model for 3D printing.

1. From the 3D Print tab, pick Select.

2. From the list of 3D printers we select our target printer to be Maker Gear M-Series.


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3. From the Browser toolbar, select the icon to Toggle the visibility of the 3D printer'svolume.

We now see it on the screen but notice that the mesh is positioned outside of the 3D printer's volume!

4. Pick the Cancel icon to close the Select command dialog.

5. From the 3D Print tab, select Fit then select the mesh and press Enter to display thedialog.


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6. For Z Alignment, we select Bottom and for XY Alignment we'll select Center and thenpick Fit.

The model is moved to the center of the 3D printer's volume. Let's check and verifythis.


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1.9 Check the Mesh for 3D PrintingNow let's check the mesh model to see if it's truly ready for printing.

1. From the 3D Print tab, select Check. Select the mesh and press Enter to display thedialog.

2. Notice that icons tell us that the mesh volume is NOT entirely within the printer'svolume!!


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3. Pick the Cancel icon to close the dialog leaving the mesh selected.

4. From the Rhino Standard toolbar, select 4 Viewports and we see that the meshextends past the printer's volume on two sides.


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Let's rotate the model.

5. From the Rhino Status Bar, select Gumball to display the Gumball widgetfor the selected mesh.


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6. From the Top Viewport, select the Gumball's Rotate Z, enter 90 and press Enter. Thiswill rotate the mesh 90 degrees about the Z axis.


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7. Now select Gumball again to turn it off and then select the PerspectiveViewport.

8. Now, we'll select Check from the 3D Print tab once again. If the mesh is not selected,select it now and then press Enter.

Notice that icons tell us that the mesh volume now fits entirely within the printer'svolume!!

9. Pick the Cancel icon to close the command dialog leaving the mesh selected.


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1.10 Export the Mesh for 3D PrintingNow, we're ready to create a file to send to the 3D printer.

1. Select the mesh model if not already selected.

2. From the 3D Print tab, pick Export.

3. From the Save As dialog, set the Save as Type to:Stereo-Lithography Binary (*.stl) files and then pick Save.

This file can now be sent to your 3D printer server or service center for printing!

This completes Chapter 1 of the Quick Start Guide for Rhino3DPRINT by MecSoftCorporation.

For further assistance you can visit the Online Help supplied with the program or visitwww.mecsoft.com for additional tutorials.

Chapter 2: Offset and Split 31

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Chapter 2: Offset and Split

Watch the Video!

In this chapter we will use the Offset and Split tools to create a part with auniform wall thickness. We will perform the following steps to complete thischapter:

1. Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Open the part file

2. Diagnose the mesh for possible problems.

3. Use Stitch & Close to combine and fix the mesh.

4. Use Offset Mesh to create a uniform wall thickness.

5. Split, Cap and review the final mesh.

Our completed part will look like this:

2.1 Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Part FileLet's begin by launching the Rhino3DPRINT module.



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2. For now, select the Create tab.


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Now, let's load the part model for this tutorial.


4. Find the part file named 3DMold.3dm located in the QuickStart folder and then pickOpen.

5. From the Browser we see that this model contains over 400 individual mesh objectsand over 130,000 facet triangles.


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6. From the Rhino Display Properties tab, uncheck Mesh Wires so we can see themodel more clearly.


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7. From the Browser toolbar, select the icon for Toggle Printer Volume Visibility to makesure the display of the printer volume is turned off.

With Toggle Printer Volume Visibility turned off, the display looks like this:


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2.2 Diagnose the MeshThe first thing we want to do is perform some diagnostics.

1. From the Browser, select the Repair tab and then the Diagnose tool.

2. Now window select the entire mesh model and press Enter.


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3. The Diagnose dialog will appear below the Browser.

4. Using the default selections, pick the Run Checks button.

5. We see that three sets of checks are performed. These include Edges, Triangles andVertices.

6. The results of each check are color coded for easy recognition on the mesh model.


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7. For example, Diagnose found over 30,000 open edges which are assigned the colorred by default.

8. For now, we'll pick the Cancel icon to close the Diagnose dialog.

2.3 Stitch and Close the Mesh AutomaticallyWe can fix this problem quickly.

1. From the Browser, select the Repair tab and then the Stitch and Close tool.

2. Now window select the entire mesh model again, press Enter. The mesh is repairedautomatically.


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3. Notice in the Browser that there is now only one mesh in the Data Tree with a total ofover 150,000 facet triangles.


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4. With the mesh still selected, from the Repair tab, we'll select the Diagnose tool againand then pick Run Checks to see the new results.

5. We see that we now have zero open edges!!


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6. Pick the Cancel icon to close the Diagnose dialog.

2.4 Create a Uniform OffsetNow that we have only one mesh, let's Offset to create a wall thickness.

1. From the Browser, select the Model tab and then select Offset.

2. Select the mesh and then press Enter to display the Offset dialog.


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3. We'll set the Offset Distance to 0.1

4. Then we'll set the Tolerance to 0.01 and then pick Offset.

5. Now we see that a second mesh was added to the Data Tree that is an offset of thefirst.

6. We can see the difference clearly on the screen by unchecking and checking eachmesh individually.


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2.5 Split and Cap the MeshNow that we have a uniform wall thickness, let's Split the mesh.

1. We'll go back to the Model tab and select Split.

2. Window select both meshes or select them both from the browser Data Tree andthen press Enter to display the Split dialog.

3. The upper portion of the dialog contains a slider that allows you to control the SplitPlane Location.

4. You can move the Split Plane, shown graphically on the screen, by adjusting the sliderbetween the Min and Max of the mesh's Bounding Box.

5. Section curves, shown in Red and also displayed and dynamically update as youadjust the slider.

6. We are provided with a Cap Results option. Selecting this will ensure that once split,each section of the mesh will be a capped closed volume.

7. Now we pick Split.

8. Once completed, we'll uncheck all but the upper mesh from the Data Tree.


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9. Now in Rhino, right-click in the display area, hold and drag to rotate the upper mesh sothat the cavity and offset wall thickness can be clearly seen. Mesh offsets can beused in a variety of applications.



Chapter 3: Cavity Block 45

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Chapter 3: Cavity Block

Watch the Video!

In this chapter we'll be working with an STL file to create a cavity block.

We will perform the following steps to complete this chapter:

1. Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Open the STL file

2. Diagnose the mesh for possible problems.

3. Use Stitch & Close to combine and fix the mesh.

4. Use Reduce to simplify the mesh.

5. Create a Box for the cavity block.

6. Subtract the mesh from the Box to create the cavity.

Our completed part will look like this

3.1 Launch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Part FileLet's begin by launching the Rhino3DPRINT module.



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2. For now, select the Create tab.


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Now, let's load the STL model for this tutorial.


4. Find the part file named CarModel.stl located in the QuickStart folder and then pickOpen.

5. From the STL Import Options dialog we check the box for Split disjoint meshes, setthe units to Inches and then pick OK.

6. From the Browser we see that this model contains over 300 individual mesh objectsand over 130,000 facet triangles.


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7. From the Rhino Standard Toolbar, select Shaded Viewport to change to a shadeddisplay.

8. From the Rhino Display Properties tab, uncheck Mesh Wires so we can see themodel more clearly.


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9. From the Browser toolbar, select the icon for Toggle Printer Volume Visibility to makesure the display of the printer volume is turned off.

With Toggle Printer Volume Visibility turned off, the display looks like this:


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3.2 Diagnose the MeshThe first thing we want to do is perform some diagnostics.

1. From the Browser, select the Repair tab and then the Diagnose tool.

2. Now window select the entire mesh model and press Enter.


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3. The Diagnose dialog will appear below the Browser.

4. Using the default selections, pick the Run Checks button.

5. We see that three sets of checks are performed. These include Edges, Triangles andVertices.

6. The results of each check are color coded for easy recognition on the mesh model.


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7. For example, Diagnose found over 25,000 open edges which are assigned the colorred by default.

8. For now, we'll pick the Cancel icon to close the Diagnose dialog.

3.3 Stitch and Close the Mesh AutomaticallyWe can fix this problem quickly.

1. From the Browser, select the Repair tab and then the Stitch and Close tool.

2. Now window select the entire mesh model again, press Enter. The mesh is repairedautomatically.


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3. Notice in the Browser that there is now only one mesh in the Data Tree with a total ofover 150,000 facet triangles.


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4. With the mesh still selected, from the Repair tab, we'll select the Diagnose tool againand then pick Run Checks to see the new results.

5. We see that we now have zero open edges!!


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6. Pick the Cancel icon to close the Diagnose dialog.

3.4 Simplify the MeshNow that we have only one mesh, let's simplify it some before moving on.

1. From the Browser, select the Inspect & Modify tab and then select Reduce.

2. Select the mesh and then press Enter to display the Reduce dialog.


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3. We'll adjust the slider to reduce the mesh by a percentage of the total facet trianglecount. In this case we'll set it to 25% and then pick Reduce.

4. With the mesh selected in the Browser Data Tree we now see that the total number offacet triangles is reduced to 116,000.

3.5 Create a Box for the Cavity BlockNext we'll create our cavity block by.

1. First we'll go to the Rhino Standard toolbar and select 4 Viewports.

2. Then from the Create tab of the Browser, we select Box.

3. We want to pick two diagonal points to define the base of the box.

4. First, from the Rhino Status Bar, select Grid Snap and then activate the Right view towork in.

5. For the first corner of the base, we select a grid point that is above and on thecenterline of the mesh.


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6. For the second corner of the base, we select a grid point that is below and to the rightof the mesh, making sure the half of the mesh is completely enclosed by the base ofthe box.

7. Now and third point is needed to define the height of the box.

For this we switch to the Top view and select a grid point that is behind and to theright of the mesh, again making sure that half of the mesh is completely enclosed bythe height of the box.


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8. Now we activate the Perspective view to see the box clearly.


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3.6 Subtract Mesh from Cavity BlockTo create our cavity block, we will subtract the mesh from the box we just created.

1. In the Browser, we'll switch to the Model tab and then pick Subtract.

2. The command prompt says "Select mesh set to subtract from:" For this we select thebox ad then press Enter.


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3. Now the prompt says "Select mesh set to subtract:" For this we select the mesh andthen press Enter to see the results.


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Index- 3 -3D Printing

Check for 25Export Mesh for 30Setup for 22

- A -Analyze Mesh 17

- B -Box 56

- C -Chapter 1: Working with Point Clouds 4Chapter 2: Offset and Split a Mesh 31Chapter 3: Cavity Block 45Check Mesh 25Curvature Analysis 17

- D -Diagnose Mesh 36, 50

- E -Export Mesh 30

- L -Launch Rhino3DPRINT 5, 31, 45

- M -Mesh

Analyze Curvature 17Analyze Reflection Lines 17Auto Fix 11

Box 56Diagnose 36, 50Export to STL 30from Point Cloud 7Offset 41Re-mesh 12Setup for 3D Printing 22Simplify 55Slice 19Smooth 15Split 43Stitch and Close 38, 52Subtract 59

- O -Offset Mesh 41

- P -Point Cloud

Create Mesh from 7Load File 5Repair Mesh from 11Working with 4

- R -Reflection Line Analysis 17

- S -Simplify Mesh 55Slice Mesh

Create Curves from 19Split Mesh 43Stitch and Close Mesh 38, 52Subtract Mesh 59

Chapter 1: Point CloudsLaunch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Point Cloud DataCreate a Mesh from the Point CloudRepair the Mesh AutomaticallyPerform Uniform Re-meshingPerform Mesh SmoothingAnalyze the MeshSlice the MeshSetup for 3D PrintingCheck the Mesh for 3D PrintingExport the Mesh for 3D Printing

Chapter 2: Offset and SplitLaunch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Part FileDiagnose the MeshStitch and Close the Mesh AutomaticallyCreate a Uniform OffsetSplit and Cap the Mesh

Chapter 3: Cavity BlockLaunch Rhino3DPRINT & Load the Part FileDiagnose the MeshStitch and Close the Mesh AutomaticallySimplify the MeshCreate a Box for the Cavity BlockSubtract Mesh from Cavity Block

rhino3dprint® 2015 quick start guide

Business

d format

d printmodels

d printingchapter

cad data

scanned data

point cloud data

mesh smoothing

this3d data needs