So, I’m trying to print some older models from thingiverse and I have discovered that basically all the files I want to print have glaring flaws in them.

Internal free floating structures, connector pieces and holes that are the exact same size… So on and so forth…

Do I need to learn a software like CAD or Blender to fix these? I seem to be able to do some basic stuff in Orca Slicer but it honestly seems like as much of a pain to modify the parts there as it would be to use a real software.

Is there one that’s easier? I think I messed around with SketchUp once upon a time.

I am worried this feels like opening a can of worms just so that I can make a thing that already exists in a dozen forms better.

  • Dangerhart@lemm.eeEnglish
    5·
    6 days ago

    I was in a simiar boat, but once I started learning it really took off and I couldn’t find enough things to model/fix! I started with meshmixer, it’s pretty simplified but still somewhat powerful and I think Windows only. Once I found stuff I couldn’t do with it I switched to blender and now I’m much faster with it. I found there are some things each implements better so if having an issue I’ll switch and try something else. I highly recommend picking one and watching youtube videos specific to what you want to change in a model

    Edit: you may be able to get by on some of the connectors by lowering flow too, depends on how dialed in your printer is, everyone needs different tolerances

    • Krauerking@lemy.lolOPEnglish
      3·
      6 days ago

      Yeah. I will want to learn some more of this soon but part of it is picking one that doesn’t drive me batty and taking some time to work with it before trying to print something complex.

      But as for now I found outer wall order and x/y home compensation worked for me really well to get the pieces together. Slicer settings brute forcing for the temp win.

      • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        5 days ago

        part of it is picking one that doesn’t drive me batty and taking some time to work with it

        CAD and 3D modeling can look overwhelming for a beginner, but there are some tools that are pretty quick to pick up the basics of.

        Tinkercad is probably the fastest for most people to get some basic results from.

        Personally, I have been working on learning FreeCAD. The newest version is a major step forward in capability and the learning curve isn’t too steep - especially with some of the tutorials I’ve found on youtube.

        Blender is it’s own beast - super powerful, but very different that anything else I’ve tries to use.

      • Dangerhart@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        6 days ago

        I can’t compare it to the cad examples but meshmixer is definitely easier to use for small stl edits than blender, especially for things like cutting and keying parts. If you are just trying to make a pin smaller or hole larger, editing the xyz of specific points in blender may be easier depending on shape. Good luck!