- 3D Printing with RepRap Cookbook
- Richard Salinas
- 567字
- 2021-07-16 11:30:30
Plane alignment with Meshmixer
In a 3D software program, we have to be able to orient ourselves in this virtual space to be able to work in it. This is typically achieved by modeling on a plane in the workspace. Meshmixer generates a grid plane and a model is then positioned somewhere on or within it. We can see this illustrated in the following image:
Meshmixer imports the rabbit sitting on the plane and imports the sphere with the plane bisecting it. Depending on how a model is positioned in the Cartesian space of another 3D program, the positioning, when importing into Meshmixer, can be anywhere in relation to this plane.
Meshmixer orients the y axis going up from the surface of the plane. You'll find that the other programs in this book will not have this configuration. The z axis will travel up from the plane. This isn't a problem when sculpting the model in Meshmixer, but it does make a difference when using a modification tool, which depends on the plane for orientation.
In this recipe, we'll learn how to make a manual change in this alignment.
Getting ready
You'll need one of the models from Chapter 1, Getting Started with 3D Printing. In this recipe, the pyramid model will serve as the example.
How to do it...
We will proceed as follows:
- Select Import+ to import the model into Meshmixer. In the following image, we can see how the pyramid is positioned in relation to Meshmixer's grid plane:
- Go to Edit. From the pop-up window, choose Align. The workspace will now show another plane with the model. From here, manual movements can be made by clicking, holding, and dragging the blue arrow and arc controls. For now, let's use the alignment controls in the Properties window.
- From the Align properties window, you'll have a choice in alignment by choosing an axis. Choose the axis that will orient your model on the plane. In this case, it's the y axis. We can see the alignment change in the following image:
- When you're happy with the orientation, click on Accept in the Align properties window.
How it works...
Aligning the model in relation to Meshmixer's plane is helpful when working in Meshmixer, but before the model is exported as an STL for slicing and printing, we'll have to realign the model back to its former position. If we don't, then the model will be positioned on its side for printing.
There's more...
The red ball on the plane in Meshmixer is a marker that shows the origin of the coordinate system. This can be seen in the following image by comparing the top view of the pyramid in another 3D program:
The image on the left shows a view that is seen by looking down the z axis onto the grid where the model is positioned. The origin is marked by the red circle on the grid that represents the xy plane. The image on the right shows the Meshmixer grid with its origin marked by a small red ball. Knowing where the origin is located in the virtual space is important. It always provides a point of reference no matter which 3D program your model is imported.
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