Basic intro to Meshmixer support generator
Hello makers! Today's post is about Meshmixers support generator, i've not long started using this myself, so this is only a basic insight as to the wonders they can offer.
With the supports generated with Meshmixer i've noticed the overhangs are much smoother to the touch than with Cura's supports. On 90% of models they also cut down the print time, which is very helpful. I recently printed a part of a model which with Cura's supports the print would take 29 hours and 45'ish minutes, yet when i put the model into Meshmixer and generated supports, the resulting model took 21 hours to print, thats 1/4 of the print time cut down.
So, enough blabbering on about what it does, lets find out how to do it!
First open Meshmixer, and import the file you want to generate supports for.
Here i'm using a Hulkbuster model i downloaded from thingiverse.com, i'll put the link at the end of the post. To it has a few hidden overhangs and the arms would print in mid air if we didnt use supports.
The first thing to do, is make sure your model is on the "build platform" and then click on "Analysis" on the left hand side of the screen.
This will open a new window with options to choose from, second from the bottom you will find "overhangs", click this
Meshmixer will now analyze the model. I havent messed with all the settings in the overhangs section, but before we generate supports we have to tell Meshmixer what degree of overhang to support. Set this to the value your support overhang angle value is set to in Cura, or your preferred slicer.
You can also set the layer height for the supports in the next menu down, to best optimize them for how your going to print your mode, set this to the layer height you will be printing your item.
In this menu there are also values you can tweak to best suit your print, support diameter, base size ect. But the default values are a very good starting point i found.
Once you've got your overhang angle sorted, hit generate support!
Hey presto, you have supports on your model. If you dont want to save, you can just hit "Export" on the left of the screen.
If you wish to save the file with the supports, hit "Convert to solid" just under the generate option.
I always hit replace, i've not had to change the supports of anything i've put into Meshmixer yet, But who knows. If your unsure, just hit "Replace"
Then you can export your file, as detailed above.
Like i said, just a basics for those who havent even looked at Meshmixer supports before. They save some time, and on the models I've printed they leave a much smoother overhang. They also leave slight raised "pock" marks when broken away from the model, leaving them slightly proud of the surface, which means less cleanup as you only have to flatten the surface, not have to filler it and then start sanding it flat.
Hope you learned something helpful
Happy Making!
Twitter: @ThatNerdChannel
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGUusf62uOq2N7xUoLtLq5A
With the supports generated with Meshmixer i've noticed the overhangs are much smoother to the touch than with Cura's supports. On 90% of models they also cut down the print time, which is very helpful. I recently printed a part of a model which with Cura's supports the print would take 29 hours and 45'ish minutes, yet when i put the model into Meshmixer and generated supports, the resulting model took 21 hours to print, thats 1/4 of the print time cut down.
So, enough blabbering on about what it does, lets find out how to do it!
First open Meshmixer, and import the file you want to generate supports for.
Here i'm using a Hulkbuster model i downloaded from thingiverse.com, i'll put the link at the end of the post. To it has a few hidden overhangs and the arms would print in mid air if we didnt use supports.
The first thing to do, is make sure your model is on the "build platform" and then click on "Analysis" on the left hand side of the screen.
This will open a new window with options to choose from, second from the bottom you will find "overhangs", click this
Meshmixer will now analyze the model. I havent messed with all the settings in the overhangs section, but before we generate supports we have to tell Meshmixer what degree of overhang to support. Set this to the value your support overhang angle value is set to in Cura, or your preferred slicer.
You can also set the layer height for the supports in the next menu down, to best optimize them for how your going to print your mode, set this to the layer height you will be printing your item.
In this menu there are also values you can tweak to best suit your print, support diameter, base size ect. But the default values are a very good starting point i found.
Once you've got your overhang angle sorted, hit generate support!
If you wish to save the file with the supports, hit "Convert to solid" just under the generate option.
I always hit replace, i've not had to change the supports of anything i've put into Meshmixer yet, But who knows. If your unsure, just hit "Replace"
Then you can export your file, as detailed above.
Like i said, just a basics for those who havent even looked at Meshmixer supports before. They save some time, and on the models I've printed they leave a much smoother overhang. They also leave slight raised "pock" marks when broken away from the model, leaving them slightly proud of the surface, which means less cleanup as you only have to flatten the surface, not have to filler it and then start sanding it flat.
Hope you learned something helpful
Happy Making!
Twitter: @ThatNerdChannel
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGUusf62uOq2N7xUoLtLq5A
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