Preview and Final models
In some cases a model can consist of up to 1,000,000 polygons or even more. Preview of such a big file means for a potential buyer downloading a lot of information (tens of megabytes). This way it is a good practice to make a “lighter” preview model. Many popular 3D modeling applications have some sort of “polygon reduction/optimization tool”. It’s highly recommended to keep preview models under 10,000 - 20,000 polygons (triangular).
Scale
Both preview and final models should be scalable to the size a real printed item would be, they also should meet 3D printers limitations (most extrusion printers have workable print area of 12-25 cm by longer side). Please, check your output options so that your software wouldn’t convert operating units (i.e. millimeters, centimeters, etc.) to some other measurement units (i.e. meters or kilometers).
Mesh Topology
Please, pay special attention to these requirements:
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All meshes are to be closed and have thickness. There should be no one sided geometry.
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Every edge is to share exactly two polygons. In case an edge shares only one polygon, the model is not closed. In case it shares more than two polygons, that would break the model and lead to software error.
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Meshes cannot contain floating vertices, one- or two-point polygons.
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All normals are to be aligned to one side, external.
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Meshes are to be triangulated. There should be no four- or more-sided polygons).
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Meshes are to be located in the dead center of the scene (coordinates). All rotations are to be frozen to zero, and scale is to be frozen to 100%.
Always check your models in Repetier software (or alternatives), slicing them (in any resolution) to make sure there are no problems for software to process the mesh.
File Extensions
Currently most printer software works with STL (Stereolithography) files. If your 3D software doesn’t have that option, you can use free software MeshLab to convert a file from OBJ or some other file formats.
Images & Renders
All uploaded images will be cropped to 980x500 (aspect ratio closer to 16:8), so please keep that in mind.
If you want to attach rendered images, please make sure you don’t overdo them. It has to be a simple representation of what a final print would look like. So please avoid textures and use plain colors to make them look like solid plastic.
TIP: A bit of Subsurface Scattering (SSS) adds a little more realism.
Printable with Support Material
Check this box if your model requires additional material as support structure for parts of the model (overhangs, arches, wings and any geometry below 45 degrees in relationship to the floor.)
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Get creative, it’s your selling piece.
Testing
If you have access to a 3D printer, print-test your models and upload your results specifying the settings used.
Description
Provide a detailed description for your model, its original printing size, and recommended printing settings (i.e. whether to use support material or not).
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