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Table of contents
No headersA 3D printing device can print a rapid prototype from an Inventor part that is saved to a format compatible with the 3D printer.
The Send to 3D Print Service dialog box guides you through the workflow. You set up the model in the graphics area, create the required export file, and send it to a 3D printer.
When you create the export file from your Inventor model, available options control resolution and tessellation. A dynamic preview displays the model in the tessellated condition. In the preview environment, a toolbar provides commands, including access back to the export file options. When satisfied with the results of your option settings, you save your file in the export file format and send it to an internet 3D printing service. Your Web browser opens automatically to the Autodesk web site http:\\www.autodesk.com\autocad3dprinting , which lists three 3D printing service providers. You choose the provider and upload your file, so they can make the physical model.
Prepare models for 3D printing
Start with an open Inventor file. Then prepare your file to export to a format that is compatible with the 3D printers on the Autodesk 3D Print Service Web page.
- Before you start the 3D print job, set up components in the graphics area that you want to include in the printed output.NoteVoids in your model can result in unexpected results in 3D printing. To eliminate these voids, use Shrinkwrap before you initiate the 3D print operation.
When your file is set up and you start your 3D print job, two options are available for including components: All Visible and Selection:
- Includes all solid bodies visible in the graphics area.
- Use Visibility to adjust which components are visible.
- If you choose this option in your 3D print job, it overrides any subsequent selections you make in the graphics area.
To view your setup for your export file, click
Print 3D Print Preview.Close the preview to make further adjustments. When you are satisfied with your setup, you are ready to initiate the 3D Print job.
- On the 3D Print Preview toolbar, click Send to 3D Print Service.
The Send to 3D Print Service dialog box opens, where you can set options and save the export file for your print job.
Send files to a 3D printing service
- Open an Inventor file. Before you initiate the 3D print job, set up components in the graphics area that you want to include in the required export file. Use Visibility so you can include all components visible in the graphics area, or select the components to include.
- Click PrintSend to 3D Print Service.
- In the Send To 3D Print Service dialog box, in Export File Type, select the export file type from the drop-down menu: STL Files (*.stl).
- Click Options to view or adjust the options for the export file.
- In the Send To 3D Print Service dialog box, select All Visible to include all components visible in the graphics window. Specify Selected to include only the components you selected before you started the 3D print job. As long as All Visible is selected, it overrides preselections.
- Includes all solid bodies visible in the graphics area.
- Use Visibility to adjust which components are visible.
- If you choose this option in your 3D print job, it overrides any subsequent selections you make in the graphics area.
- In Scaling, scale the model to fit within the build envelope for the selected 3D printer.
- Click Preview. The objects you specified to include in the export file display in the graphics area in a tessellated state in accordance with your settings. Rotate and zoom in on the model to inspect it.
To adjust the settings, on the Print Preview toolbar, click Options.
When you are satisfied with the results in the preview, click Close.
- In the Send To 3D Print Service dialog box, click OK to accept all settings and close the dialog box.
The file is saved to disk and is ready to send to the 3D printing service.
Your internet browser opens to www.autodesk.com/autocad3dprinting so you can choose your 3D print provider.
- In the Send to 3D Print Service dialog box or the Save Copy As dialog box, click Preview.
The objects specified to be included in the export file display in the graphics window, and the 3D Print Preview toolbar displays.
In the 3D Print Preview ribbon:
- Use the Component Indicator to preview each component in the preview stack.
- Turn off and on the display of wireframe or facet edges in the current faceted preview image.
- The value in the Facets edit box represents the total number of facets within the display of the model in the graphics window.
- The value in File Size represents the size of the export file based on the display of the model in the graphics window.
- Use the navigation tools to rotate and zoom in to inspect the model.
- Click Next Component and Previous Component to view other files, if appropriate.
- Click Options to view or edit the export options of the file currently displayed.
- Click Close.
The dialog box and preview display close. You return to the previous dialog box.
- While in the 3D Print Preview environment or the Save Copy As dialog box with the .stl file type selected, click Options.
The options dialog box opens for the file type selected in the previous dialog box.
- Adjust the options to create a successful 3D print.
- Click OK.
The settings are accepted, and you return to the previous dialog box.
- Click Preview in the Send to 3D Print Service dialog box to review the results of your settings.
On the 3D Print Preview toolbar, click Options to return to the export options for further adjustments.
Starts the workflow to prepare and send a file to a 3D print vendor to create a rapid prototype.
Access: | Click On the 3D Print Preview toolbar, click Send to 3D Print Service. |
| Export File Type | Displays the STL Files (*.stl) file types accepted by 3D print vendors. |
| Options | Opens the export options dialog box for a translator appropriate for the file listed in Name. You can adjust parameters for creating the export file. |
| Print Range | Specifies valid values for newly exposed parameters. The bounding box of the exported object determines the range. All Visible Includes only the portion of the model that is visible in the graphics window. Selected Includes only the components you select in the graphics window before you click Selected. |
| Scaling | Scale Specifies the size of the printed physical model. Adjusts the size of the bounding box so you can scale the model to fit within the build envelope of the 3D printer. When scale changes, Length, Width, and Height change as well. Length Adjusts the printed physical model to the length you specify. When length changes, width and height change as well. Width Adjusts the printed physical model to the width you specify. When width changes, length and height change as well. Height Adjusts the printed physical model to the height you specify. When height changes, length and width change as well. |
| 3D Print Preview | Closes the dialog box. Displays a toolbar and preview window with the image of the facet data to create and save in the export file. |
Opens the 3D print preview environment with a display of the model in a tessellated condition before you create the export file.
Access: | Click In the Send to 3D Print Service dialog box, click 3D Print Preview. In the Save Copy As dialog box opened from 3D Print Preview, click Preview. |
