Exporting your designs from SketchUp for 3D printing might seem straightforward, but understanding a few key principles can significantly streamline your workflow. When preparing your models to become tangible 3d Printed Objects, the export process is crucial, and thankfully, SketchUp offers flexibility that caters to various printing needs.
One common misconception is that your parts need to be positioned on the “floor” of your SketchUp workspace before exporting. This isn’t necessary. SketchUp primarily focuses on the relative positions of multiple parts to each other if you’re exporting them together, not their absolute position within the SketchUp environment. They could be floating high above the ground plane in SketchUp, and it won’t hinder the export process for creating 3d printed objects.
The most critical spatial dimension that translates into your STL file is the vertical, or “downward,” direction. Think of it this way: “down” in SketchUp becomes “down” on your 3D printer’s build plate. Therefore, if you intend to export multiple components as a single group, ensuring their bottom surfaces are aligned is important. This alignment facilitates a consistent base when they are processed for 3d printed objects. A simple technique to achieve this is using the move command, selecting a bottom corner, and aligning all parts to a common plane.
However, while grouped exports are possible, exporting parts individually often provides greater control, especially when creating 3d printed objects with varying requirements. Different parts of a single project might benefit from distinct print settings. For example, you might want to adjust shell thickness or infill density for specific components to optimize strength, weight, or print time of your 3d printed objects. Furthermore, filament temperatures and print speeds might need tweaking depending on the part’s geometry or desired finish. Exporting parts separately allows for this granular level of control in your slicer software.
When you export parts independently and import them one by one into your slicer, their original spatial relationships from SketchUp become less relevant. Regardless of their orientation in SketchUp, slicer software will typically place each part “down side” flat onto the virtual print bed. The “down” face as defined in your SketchUp model will become the base on the print bed, ready for transformation into 3d printed objects. Even if the initial orientation isn’t perfect, rearranging and rotating parts within the slicer is usually a very simple process.
After exporting your components as individual STL files, you can easily import them into your slicer software. This method is particularly useful if you plan to apply different print settings to each part. For users of Cura, a popular slicer, the “Lay Flat” button is an incredibly helpful tool. It automatically orients selected models to minimize overhangs and maximize bed adhesion, further simplifying the process of preparing your designs to become 3d printed objects. This feature can save time and ensure optimal print orientation for a wide range of geometries.
