Do any of the free softwares that you all use for modelling have an option to select a specific flat part of a model, and orient it flat against the print bed? Cause that would make orienting this piece SO much easier. lol
123D Meshmixer perhaps?
I use meshmixer, didn’t see the feature! Where can I find it in the menu?
Yeah, that’s one thing I’ve never found. It’s definitely a useful feature. There was a closed source printer software that had it (I think it was for a uPrint) and I would import the stl, orient it, then export it back out just for that feature.
Netfab basic can do it.
Wings3D also has that feature. I mostly use netfabb basic, or cut off a bit on the bottom with openscad.
Meshmixer can do that. Edit>Align your model become transparent .Click on plane u want to align (in transparent model)
Simplify3D can do that in their latest 3.0 update.
STL files are just a surface mesh, how do they identify flat faces?
They select one of the facets on a flat. It will be imperfect, but within the margin of error of the slicer.
You can either manually identify then or there is an algorithm for it. I can explain it, but I think I’ll write a blog post if I do.
Maybe biggest contact surface is the goal
@Eclsnowman That makes the most sense.
@Justin_Nesselrotte Even if you could manually identify them, you’d have to select every triangle in the mesh.
@Sergio_MC THIS WORKED! I had never fiddled with align settings before, so I didn’t notice the “Source” options. But by setting it to “Surface Point” I was able to do exactly what you said. Best part, it’s in a software I already use! lol