Can't Make Solid in Sketchup for 3D Printing
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I was trying to print out my sketchup model with the .stl file, but it showed red base in the 3D printing software which means there's something wrong with the designed model. Seeing a few video tutorial on YouTube, thought I had to install two plugins - Solid inspector and TT_Library which I already did. But somehow my model just can't be made solid, it keeps showing errors like:
'One or more of the selected objects is either not a solid or is locked. The non-solid/locked objects will be de-selected before this operation is performed.'
I just dont know how to make it a solid entity to be able to print out. Could anyone give me some directions please? -
Yes. (If we can have a look at the model (or an image at least).)
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Your first clue as to whether you have created a solid is to look at what the Entity Info window displays when you select the object. EI will say it is solid if you have followed the rules correctly. If it says you have selected some number of entities, then you have missed the first rule, which is that a SU solid must be a single Group or Component. If it says you have selected a Group or Component but doesn't say "solid" you have some flaw in the geometry. From what you describe, you are likely violating the "single Group or Component" rule.
TT's solid inspector 2 is a tool for analyzing and in some cases fixing such flaws, but it can't turn multiple Groups into one.
There are numerous posts on this and the Sketchup.com forum about creating solids and correcting errors. Do a search, read a few of them and you should have a much clearer understanding of what's wrong in your case.
If you do that and are still stuck, upload your model so folks here can look at it and give specific comments.
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Here's what my red base issue looks like. Thank you both that I will do some searching to try and solve it if I can't I'll come back to ask again.
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Hard to tell for sure from your images, but the first model looks like it has an internal face at the top of the center bulge. To fix it, right click > Hide the top curved face, and delete the internal face. Then Edit > Unhide > Last to replace the hidden face.
The bottom model looks like it has no thickness. One way to fix that is using the JointPushPull plugin.
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Cut a temporary section through the problem object.
Now you can see inside and tidy up...
Edit it and use select + delete on any inner partition faces etc.
A manifold solid must contain only faces and edges [no nested groups etc].
Every edge must support two faces - no more, no fewer, and no faceless edges either.
Internal partition faces or shelves / flaps will have some edges with three or more faces. -
Thanks guys!! Solved it! Downloaded a Solid Inspector 2 which is the best! Fixed all surfaces and everything, it's finally Solid Group in Entity Info. Thank you all.
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