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3D Fill in Google Sketchup (non-pro)


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I just grabbed a copy of Google Sketchup to try and design a tool for use at work. My intentions will be to send this out to a place like ponoko.com for 3d Printing. I'm not a CAD engineer nor have I done any 3d modeling in the past, so I'm pretty new to this.

I've managed to create the attached file, which is a start for what we're looking at making, however I am not sure if the 3d printer will create a hollowed out model since the inside is empty. I created the core shape by making a circle then pulling it up, which I thought would create a 3d fill, but it appears as if my model is empty inside, and i don't want to send it out just to get a flimsy shell of a tool out. I've tried triple clicking and converting to a component, which gives me the cubic volume of the tool, but I'm still not sure if it will come out "solid" or not. All the shapes/edges were created by pushing and pulling, which I assumed made them 3d.

can anyone check this and tell me if it would indeed be a solid, or if I'm doing something wrong? Since the board doesn't allow .skp files, you'll need to rename it to .skp

Thanks.

Battery Cap Tool-c.skp.txt

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I just grabbed a copy of Google Sketchup to try and design a tool for use at work. My intentions will be to send this out to a place like ponoko.com for 3d Printing. I'm not a CAD engineer nor have I done any 3d modeling in the past, so I'm pretty new to this.

I've managed to create the attached file, which is a start for what we're looking at making, however I am not sure if the 3d printer will create a hollowed out model since the inside is empty. I created the core shape by making a circle then pulling it up, which I thought would create a 3d fill, but it appears as if my model is empty inside, and i don't want to send it out just to get a flimsy shell of a tool out. I've tried triple clicking and converting to a component, which gives me the cubic volume of the tool, but I'm still not sure if it will come out "solid" or not. All the shapes/edges were created by pushing and pulling, which I assumed made them 3d.

can anyone check this and tell me if it would indeed be a solid, or if I'm doing something wrong? Since the board doesn't allow .skp files, you'll need to rename it to .skp

Thanks.

SU, along with most other CAD programs only do the shell of a solid object, it's nothing you're doing wrong it's just how it is. With stereolithography (3D printing) you have to tell the machine whether or not an area is a shell or a solid as part of the setup the printer will have to do. I'd recommend contacting them via http://www.ponoko.com/about/contact to find out what they need from you in order to do your project to you specifications. I've never dealt with this company before, but usually most places go according to dimensions you include in the design. so lets say the diameter of a rod is 1 in, the dimension would just be 1" if that rod was hollow it would be 1" by lets say 1/8" material thickness like a pipe. I'd go through the setup on the site to get a quote and see what they ask you and contact the company in case their process differs from another. also please keep in mind to ask if they can use your current version of SU. if you need an older version let me know via PM and I'll send you the zipped install.

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SU, along with most other CAD programs only do the shell of a solid object, it's nothing you're doing wrong it's just how it is. With stereolithography (3D printing) you have to tell the machine whether or not an area is a shell or a solid as part of the setup the printer will have to do. I'd recommend contacting them via http://www.ponoko.com/about/contact to find out what they need from you in order to do your project to you specifications. I've never dealt with this company before, but usually most places go according to dimensions you include in the design. so lets say the diameter of a rod is 1 in, the dimension would just be 1" if that rod was hollow it would be 1" by lets say 1/8" material thickness like a pipe. I'd go through the setup on the site to get a quote and see what they ask you and contact the company in case their process differs from another. also please keep in mind to ask if they can use your current version of SU. if you need an older version let me know via PM and I'll send you the zipped install.

Awesome. Our manufacturing is done overseas so I don't really have anyone I can talk to about the way we currently model stuff, but I'll reach out to ponoko to find out if this will work. It probably will, as it passes their design check, but like I said I don't want to send something out for prototyping and find out it's done wrong :)

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Awesome. Our manufacturing is done overseas so I don't really have anyone I can talk to about the way we currently model stuff, but I'll reach out to ponoko to find out if this will work. It probably will, as it passes their design check, but like I said I don't want to send something out for prototyping and find out it's done wrong :)

I understand completely, I've been using SU for quite some time. I switched from alibre, proshape and blender due to its ease of use and the fact that it's expandable with an almost unlimited number of plugins, many of which are free. If you plan on using SU regularly, I'd recommend joining http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewforum.php?f=323 The plugins there are free and they have an immense wealth of knowledge and help with the program. Youtube also has many many video tutorials on modeling more complex designs.

If you have any other questions regarding SU or modeling please don't hesitate to send me a msg.

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