Fix 3D Models in PrusaSlicer, Not Blender
A model that prints has to be a closed, manifold solid: every edge shared by exactly two faces, every face pointing outward, no faces crossing each other.…
Engineering · Blender · SolidWorks · 3D printing
Blender, SolidWorks and 3D printing from an engineer's workbench
Blender quick tips, photogrammetry workflows, SolidWorks fixes, free 3D models and practical 3D printing projects. Notes written down since 2016 so the next person does not have to relearn them.
| 3D printing | How FDM works, when to use it |
|---|---|
| Modeling for printing | Chamfers, overhangs, threads |
| Photogrammetry | Photos to 3D models |
| Photoreal rendering | Blender scenes that look real |
| 3D models | 39 posts, free and paid |
Latest posts
Blender Quick Tip: Set Up Units for 3D Printing
Slicers read STL files in millimeters. Blender's native unit is the meter. Switching the display to millimeters does not change that, so a 40 mm bracket…
Custom Planter Saucer with Blender Geometry Nodes
Every plant pot seems to come with a saucer that’s almost the right size — too small, too big, wrong color, or just plain ugly. I got tired of that, so I…
3D Printing vs. Store Run: Putty Knife Cost
Total active effort: 7 minutes . The printer handled the rest (23 minutes of PETG stacking up while I went back to actual work). Material cost: $0.17 in…
3D Printed Imperial/Metric Diameter Gauge
A while back, I purchased a GAGE-IT from Home Depot. It’s a handy little tool made from a thin sheet of durable plastic, designed to quickly measure drill…
Why I Moved My 3D Print Files to Printables
I started posting to Prusa’s Printables . You can trade in reward points for filament, Prusa merchandise or vouchers for a new 3D printer. If you are very…
Fix Missing SolidWorks Thumbnails in Windows 11
During a Windows or Solidworks update, my system lost the ability to show me an icon preview of my Solidworks files. This makes it difficult to find parts…
3D Printed Altoids Tin Rack (Free STL)
It started with a handful of empty Altoid tins. I saved them because they fit the Arduino. They seemed like a good project box and who can’t use a little…
Tilt Pad Bearing Preload Explained (Video)
Today I released the 2nd video in a series of four comparing two different tilt pad bearings. Like the previous video, the animations were done in Blender.…
Why Tilt Pad Bearings Have 5 Pads (Video)
Today I released the 1st video in a series of four comparing two different tilt pad bearings. I created animations and 3D renders for the video in Blender.…