I just downloaded the 3MF file for the Hummingbird from the Snapmaker site and this message appeared:
Error: 10 non-manifold edges.
Tips:
“Fix Model" feature is currently only on Windows
Please repair the model on Snapmaker Orca (Windows) or CAD software.
I don’t know how to use CAD software and I don’t understand why Snapmaker would have a fix for Windows but not for Mac. What do I need to do to get around this problem?
In addition it seems strange that Snapmaker would post a model that can’t be printed through a Mac computer! I have tried a few of their models and they all start to string after a bit and I have not been able to complete any of the models!
I asked this question in another discussion and it turns out Windows has built-in libraries to do that. Weird, I know, and a pain because I don’t use Windows either. There may be some patent restrictions preventing other OSes incorporating similar libraries or separate utilities being written, but you would have thought somebody could have a go using AI if necessary.
3D models for printing need to be “watertight”, meaning the surface geometry is completely defined as a mesh of triangles with no gaps. Proper 3D CAD software uses a workflow which generates fully-defined surfaces, but 3D art tools are less rigorous because CGI rendering does not require that degree of formality. There are ways CAD can fail to generate a complete mesh too, but those tend to be due to software limitations and user error.
Without a watertight geometry, when the slicer analyses each layer it finds a section of the slice has no defined boundary, and throws up the error.
It sounds to me like your hummingbird model has been created for CGI rather than printing, it is not infrequent that uploaded models have errors. The ability to fix them (in Windows) involves identifying missing triangles and adding them to the mesh, but as a fix it is just a guess because if that portion of the surface is missing in the definition, how can the software know what was supposed to be in there?
However, despite the error, you might find it works out OK if you ignore it and press on.
In addition it seems strange that Snapmaker would post a model that can’t be printed through a Mac computer! I have tried a few of their models and they all start to string after a bit and I have not been able to complete any of the mod
Hi, Can you help me list the models with string issue? I can forward to the relavent team to have a close check? Usually, the filaments need to be dried before printing to avoid the string issue.
By the way, the error about non-manifold edges can be ignored and the print will work out ok.
I have tried the Hummingbird, the Puffer, and one other bird and they all start stringing after 20 - 40 layers. The model looks great until it starts to string I will put the filaments into my dryer tonight and try to print the Hummingbird tomorrow.