How 3d models gets 3d printed in different conditions ?

#1

Hi guys, I am trying to model something for 3d printing, but I am confused about the way I should model and the way 3d printers work.
if I have 2 simple spheres contacting each other like this :

these 2 spheres are combined as one poly object. now if I print this what happens ?! max STL Check modifier says no errors. 3d printed one will be a filled object with the silhouette of these spheres or what ?!
and what if I add a Shell modifier on that ? like this :

they will be printed as one part ? is there any problem in this way for printing ?
it looks the right way is to combine the spheres by Boolean and add a shell modifier for the thickness, like this :

but this will be a real pain on complex models ! to have a seamless one parted object.
thanks in advance guys, waiting for your answers :slight_smile:

#2

My understanding is that while exporting the stl, everything gets boolean combined together. As such, the first image would give you two solid shperes, and the second would give you hollow spheres but with the overlap solid.

#3

thanks Meloncov for the reply, it would be fine enough if as you said two first get printed without problem.
but i tried exporting stl, it didn’t boolean combine or nothing, just exports the triangulated mesh as it is.

#4

There’s a few “rules” to keep in mind as discussed here:
http://www.3darttopart.com/modelinginfo.php

#5

I’m pretty sure that there are different methods of how the computers interpret the data. I was prototyping parts and couple of years ago. Initially I needed a continuous mesh then my client said another printing company would just take the outer extents.

#6

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