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Topic: Merging Objects 2

I want to merge these two text objects so it has the maximum number of lines interconnecting them. Tracing along surfaces manually would take too long, particularly when objects get complicated. I just want to create as many different surfaces as possible so I can delete very select surfaces. Is there a process for that?

2

Re: Merging Objects 2

Sorry, didn't attach to first message.

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3

Re: Merging Objects 2

Post the STL file, and I'll merge them for you.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

4

Re: Merging Objects 2

pirvan wrote:

Post the STL file, and I'll merge them for you.

Using what software? I really need to do this process a few times.

5

Re: Merging Objects 2

Rocketman wrote:
pirvan wrote:

Post the STL file, and I'll merge them for you.

Using what software? I really need to do this process a few times.

I use Meshmixer.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

6

Re: Merging Objects 2

pirvan wrote:
Rocketman wrote:
pirvan wrote:

Post the STL file, and I'll merge them for you.

Using what software? I really need to do this process a few times.

I use Meshmixer.

I have meshmixer. What would you do?

7

Re: Merging Objects 2

lots of tutorials on youtube

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

8

Re: Merging Objects 2

It's a little more complicated that just telling you to "click here".  This is going to require a little "how to".  I'll see what I can do.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

9

Re: Merging Objects 2

Ok, give it a go. Let me know what you do.

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Test02(IntersectedLetters).stl 14.93 kb, 8 downloads since 2019-09-19 

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10

Re: Merging Objects 2

I may have figured it out. I selected both intersecting objects and right clicked in Sketchup and selected "Intersect Faces > With model." That seems to be what I was after but will need to look closer tomorrow.

11

Re: Merging Objects 2

Here is a rather lengthy tutorial on how to Boolean merge 2 objects.

In the case of your model, the 2 letters are actually intersecting, but they are not merged as one single object.  To do this we'll use Meshmixer.  To better see what we're doing also press the "W" key to turn on the wireframe.

In order to merge the 2 letters, we first need to separate them into separate bodies/objects. from the left pane, click "Select", then click anywhere on the S body surface.  This will highlight a few polygons.  Press the "E" key to select all connected polys.

http://soliforum.com/i/?IqbIh5b.jpg

Next, with the S object still highlighted, press the "Y" key.  This will separate the S object from the T object, creating 2 separate objects.

http://soliforum.com/i/?tRsVA8V.jpg

Next up we need to merge the 2 object.  to do this, all we need to do is select the 2 objects in the object browser, then click Boolean Union on the left pop-up menu.


http://soliforum.com/i/?c5c47mb.jpg

The problem is that this model has far too few polygons to be able to do a successful merge.  Here is what happens if you try to merge it at this stage.

http://soliforum.com/i/?3UsYbfd.jpg

So obviously that doesn't work, so we need to increase the number of polygons for each one of these objects.  Select one of the objects (the Letter S in this case), Press "CTRL-A" to select all the polygons, then press "R" to begin the Remesh process.  Next use the "density" slider to max.  This will divide the existing poly into a few more, then click "accept".  this will need to be repeated 3-4 times to achieve a reasonable density.

http://soliforum.com/i/?5ImGDLt.jpg

Do the same for the "T" letter object.

http://soliforum.com/i/?dJhMasY.jpg

Now we're ready to merge the 2 objects.  once again, select both object layers in the "Objects Browser" windows, then click Boolean Union:

http://soliforum.com/i/?L3KDr3W.jpg

If Meshmixer can find a solution, the objects will turn to Orange and Purple like this:

http://soliforum.com/i/?ldjyN5m.jpg

At first glance that looks fine, except there are usually some artifacts that occur, which tend to distort sharp edges.  Take a look at the close up below.

http://soliforum.com/i/?BFtl9zt.jpg

This can be fixed to an extent.  To fix it, there are some controls.  In the "Boolean Union" dialog box, uncheck the "Auto-Reduce Result", then slide the "Target edge Scale" down to about 0.4-0.5, and you can also slide the "Merge Border Rings" slider all the way to the left.  You will immediately notice that the number of polygons around the intersection grows dramatically, but the edges are now cleaner.  If satisfied, click "Accept".

http://soliforum.com/i/?RFOw9cG.jpg

So now we have a Boolean joined object.  But there are simply too many polygons, and the model could use a reduction.  Press "CTRL-A" to select all, then click Edit/Reduce, as seen in the image below.

http://soliforum.com/i/?vXGRFTq.jpg

From the Reduce Menu, use the "Percentage" slider to about 75-85%, then click Accept.

http://soliforum.com/i/?RO28JEA.jpg

Well the only thing left to do is export the object to STL.

And here is the result of this tutorial.

Post's attachments

Intersected letters.stl 1.29 mb, 3 downloads since 2019-09-20 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.
To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

12

Re: Merging Objects 2

Very nice write up Privan

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

13

Re: Merging Objects 2

That's a lot of surfaces. I'll let you know which method works best for me.

14 (edited by pirvan 2019-09-20 15:33:51)

Re: Merging Objects 2

Rocketman wrote:

That's a lot of surfaces. I'll let you know which method works best for me.

If you can do the merge within the modelling program, before you export to STL, that would be the ideal method, but with STL's the choices are limited.

BTW, the model can be further decimated to less polys, but there's a threshold beyond which the geometry starts to suffer.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

15

Re: Merging Objects 2

BTW.  The model I posted last night has 26952 triangles.  I was able to further reduce it 90%, down to 2694 triangles.  Beyond that the geometry starts to change.

http://soliforum.com/i/?rCpliEQ.jpg

Post's attachments

Intersected letter - decimated.stl 706.32 kb, file has never been downloaded. 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.
To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

16

Re: Merging Objects 2

Ultimately I want to create complex projections in which you see one 2D shape from one side, and a different from the other.

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20190921_175802.jpg
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17

Re: Merging Objects 2

were you able to join the 2 parts in SketchUp?

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

18

Re: Merging Objects 2

pirvan wrote:

were you able to join the 2 parts in SketchUp?

I was able to use the right-click menu option to add lines where they crossed through surfaces creating separate shapes to cut through individually.

19 (edited by pirvan 2019-09-22 23:23:43)

Re: Merging Objects 2

I'm afraid I don't follow what you were trying to do. 

I thought you wanted to join the "S" and the "T" into a single part, as they were already 2 separate objects passing through each other.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

20

Re: Merging Objects 2

I wanted all intersections traced so I can remove parts. Basically creating an object between part 1 and 2.