Frequently asked questions on the 3D printing

What formats are accepted to upload my 3D files on Sculpteo?

Sculpteo deals with a great number of formats :

• OBJ (Wavefront)
• PLY (Standford)
• STL
• OFF
• SKP (Sketchup)
• KMZ (Google Earth)
• 3DS (3D Studio)
• AC3D
• ASE (3D Studio)
• DAE (Collada)
• MD2/MD3 (Quake)
• Q3O (Quick3D)
• COB (TrueSpace)
• DXF (AutoCAD)
• LWO (LightWave)
• ZIP : a zip file containing the 3D file, textures and possibly colours (to be sure that colours and textures will be correctly uploaded on the site)

How to change easily a 3D file format in order to fit with a format supported by the website?

There is a free easy to use software, which allows to convert 3D files in one of the formats supported by the website : Accutrans 3D.

When I upload a 3D model on the site, textures and sometimes colours are missing : how make them appeared?

When you upload your 3D file with some formats, for instance .obj, you have to put colours, textures and the 3D model in a .zip format. As you upload the 3D model on the site, you must select the .zip file on your computer.

What is the difference between "public" and "private", in the sharing module of the upload form of a 3D design?

If you choose "public" in the form, the 3D design you are uploading on the website will be visible for other users, in the gallery.
If you choose "private", your 3D design will not appear in the gallery, and will be visible only for you in your account, in "your designs".

Why do some designs require fixing before being built?

When you upload a design to our gallery, you may find that some geometric issues prevent it from being built without modifications. The most common reason is that the design does not represent a solid object unambiguously. Another possibility is that some parts are too thin to be synthetized.
Many 3D software modeling tools available nowadays focus on creating models for rendering and animation. Most of the time, these software do not require the object to be solid and only represent its surface. This information is sometimes insufficient to reconstruct a solid solely from the 3D design.
When possible, our software tools will attempt to automatically fix the design. At any time the design may be reviewed for correctness in the gallery. However, some issues require manual editing by the designer. A quick overview of the potential issues you may encounter is presented below, along with advices on how to correct them.

• Borders and holes
  
  A design may contain surfaces with borders, that do not enclose a volume. These surfaces have no thickness and therefore cannot be built. Sometimes, small holes prevent the surfaces from being 'watertight'.
  This issue may be fixed either by simply removing the problematic surfaces, or by extruding them (via the "push/pull" or "displace" tool of your 3D modeling software), or by filling holes.
  

  

  
  

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• Bad orientation
  
  In most 3D modeling softwares, surfaces are oriented to have one "heads" side and one "tails" side. When the surface is closed, this orientation is used to define the inside and outside of the volume enclosed. Sometimes the whole surface is not oriented consistently, and does not clearly separate the inside from the outside of the object.
  Most of the time, this issue is fixed by flipping the problematic faces. However, some surfaces cannot be oriented consistently (such as the Moebius strip or the Klein bottle). To build these kind of objects, their surface must be cut open and thickened via extrusion.
  

  

  
  

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• Singular points or edges
  
  When designing a 3D model, some operations may produce ambiguous surfaces that connect to each other on a single shared point or edge. These singularities prevent determining which volumes are enclosed by those surfaces.
  This issue may be fixed by duplicating the singular points or edges until the surfaces are disconnected from each other. The duplicated points or edges may reside at the same location, but each surface must have its own copy.
  

  

What formats are accepted in the zip file for the textures?

The accepted formats are the followings : jpg, gif, png, bmp, tiff, xpm, tga, ico, wmf, pcx, xbm

My file is an obj format : how can I make colours and textures appeared?

For this particular format, you must join to the model .obj, the indexation file for colours and textures (.mtl), the textures files (picture formats .jpg, .png, .gif or others) and put them together in a zip file.
It's this .zip that you have to upload on the website.
So .zip = .obj + .mtl + .jpg (or other picture formats)

How can a 3D file be exported from Autocad 2010?

The recommended export format with this software is the .stl.
The procedure is the following :
- Be sure to be in the "3D modeling" mode (down right of the main window)
- Click on the "Exit" tab at the top of the main window
- Then click on the button "Send to the 3D printing service"
- Click on "Continue"
- Select the solids to export, then push "Enter"
- Check the preview before printing then click on "OK"
- A dialogue box will allow you to save your file in the .stl format

What is the maximun weight of a 3D file to upload on sculpteo.com?

We advise you not to exceed 50 Mo : the heavier the file will be, the longer the upload time will last.
Moreover, as the machines detail is 1/10e millimeter, the too thin details with heavy files and too many polygons won't appear.

What is 3D printing?

3D printing is a process which allows to make a real object from a 3D file. The final object is created by successive layers of material. Making of a white plastic object with the Eos machine :

Making of a coloured object with the Zcorp machine :

What software is required if I am a beginner with 3D designs?

- Google supplies a free software, easy to use : Google Sketchup This tool allows you to design everything you want in 3D, thanks to an intuitive interface, and offers 3D free models to upload.

- Wings 3D is also a free 3D software, and the website has a forum, very usefull to ask all your questions.

- Blender is available for free, but for a more experienced audience.

- a new one, Sculptris allows to create by sculpting directly your objet in the volume.

- Make Human is a free software specialized in human body 3D design, which allows you to play with all the body and face details. Amazing !
(compatible versions with Sculpteo for a 3D printing : "Nightly Build" or version 0.9.1).

Is it possible to elaborate coloured objects?

The colour option is available on the ZPrinter machine from ZCorp.
Therefore you can upload on our website 3D files with colours. If it is your choice, you will order your object only in one material, a high-performance compound, which has the appearance of a plaster casting.
The colours are directly printing in the material.

What are the machines used to elaborate the objects in 3D?

We have 2 different machines in our workshops :

• Formiga P100 de Eos
  Monochrome printing, laser system
  Available material : plastic, flexible when the object is fine, and very solid (for example to elaborate a ball bearing)

  

  

• ZPrinter 650 from ZCorp
  Monochrome and coloured printing
  Available material : a high-performance compound, which has the appearance of a plaster casting (for example to elaborate interior design objects)

  

What is the maximum size to print a design in 3D?

The maximum size depends on the chosen machine :

• on the Formiga P100 from Eos : 200 mm x 250 mm x 319 mm
• on the ZPrinter 650 from ZCorp : 254 mm x 381 mm x 203 mm

What are the available materials to print my designs in 3D?

Each machine uses a different material :

• Formiga P100 from Eos
  Available material : plastic, flexible when the object is fine, and very solid (for example to elaborate a ball bearing)
• ZPrinter 650 from ZCorp
  Available material : a high-performance compound, which has the appearance of a plaster casting (for example to elaborate interior design objects)

What is the height of the material layers in the 3D printers?

The layers are less than 0,1 mm. They are rather thin, but a little discernable (particularly on the rounded forms or false flat).

How thick my object has to be to be strong enough ?

The minimum thickness of your object depends on the material you use.
In white plastic, a wall with a thickness of 0.8mm would be reasonably strong but flexible. Above 2 mm walls are really strong.
In coloured material, the minimum wall thickness is 3 mm to be sure that your object will we strong enough.
Keep these values in mind when you design and order your objects. In particular, be careful when you change the object scale.

How can I design an articulated model ?
Which gap should I let for my articulated models ?

Our machines build your models layer by layer, and thus can build any type of model, even with complex assemblies.
If you want to realize an articulated model, you simply have to let the needed gap between parts of your model so that different parts are not joined during build. This way you can make pivot balls, cylindrical joints ...
We advise you to use white plastic to realize these pieces. With this material, a 0.5mm gap is advised for the articulation to work correctly.

What is the details level of the made objects?

The details level changes according to the chosen size to make your object, and the material.
- With the Zcorp (coloured compound) :

Why some models in the gallery can be ordered, and others can't?

The Internet users, who designed 3D models, can choose between different options when they upload their files on the website, in the sharing part of the form :
- public : the model is visible by all users and can be ordered
- visible : the model is visible by all users, but it can't be ordered
- private : the model is only visible for the user who uploaded it, in "Account/Your designs"
- for sale : the model is visible by all users and can be ordered. The creator will touch a royalty, which will be a percentage on the order of its model 3D printing

Is it possible to customise the parameters of my 3D design, before ordering?

You have the possibility to customise some parameters before confirming your order :

• choice of the material
• monochrome or coloured printing
• choice of the final size of the object (in mm, cm or inch)

How is price estimated?

Price is estimated according to the chosen material, the monochrome or coloured printing, the size and the form of the object.
It is automatically calculated when you choose your printing parameters, before ordering, and follows a tapering charges system depending on the objects volume. Therefore you can modify these factors to decrease or rise the selling price.

What are the accepted payment terms?

You can pay your order by credit card, or thanks to the Paypal service.
The payment is totally secured by a specialized partner.

How is the delivery guaranteed?

We use the services of "La Poste" for deliveries in France and in Europe.
The advantage is that your parcel is directly delivered to your home : if you are not at home, it will be left at the nearest delivery point.

Are the parcels delivered abroad?

The delivery is guaranteed in France and in Europe, in your chosen place (home or office).

What is the delivery time, once I ordered on your website?

The maximum delivery time is 15 opened days, once your order has been entered on our website.

Can I paint my objects if I order them in white?

Yes, you can paint your objects. Different paintings can be used : polyurethane bi components, epoxy... The use of a spray will make the application easier.
For a raw aspect : spray painting directly.
For a smooth aspect : a finishing polyurethane painting is recommended, then sandpapering, and spray painting.
In both cases, the items must be clean (water cleaning recommended).

Do the materials be used for engraving or tapping?

Yes, they do, as usual polyamide.

Can I customise my shop?

You can customise your shop by adding your avatar, a description, and a link to a personal website.

How is the royalty amount set?

You choose this amount : for each uploaded model on the website, you issue a royalty, which is a percentage on each 3D printing ordered by other Internet users. Price all taxes included, paid by the client = (price exclusive of tax + creator royalty + Sculpteo overhead costs) x VAT

How is the royalty paid?

You have to open a Paypal account. Around the 20th of each month, Sculpteo will pay on this account the amount of the royalties earned the previous month, after the orders have been made, delivered and accepted by the clients.

How to follow my sales?

In "Account", you see a link in the right menu "Sellor informations". In this area, you could follow the 3D printings ordered from your models, and so the royalties to receive.

Is it possible to order 3D printings on Sculpteo with the money earned thanks to my sales?

This option is not available for the moment.

What will happen if the object is not acceptable?

Sculpteo is responsible for the customer service : if a client has constructive comments on the 3D design, Sculpteo will transfer them to you, in order you can improve your model.
If Sculpteo considers that the objet is not acceptable and refunds the client, you will not receive a royalty on this 3D printing.

Am I responsible for the production and the delivery of the order?

Absolutly not. These are parts of the terms and conditions between the client and Sculpteo.

What about property and copy rights of my models?

The property of your designs remains to you. You give a non exclusive licence to Sculpteo to make the 3D printings ordered by the clients. The users can't have the models files, or modify them.

Can I sell in my shop designs for which I don't have the rights?

No you can't. You warrant not to upload on Sculpteo models which don't belong to you, neither sell them or copy models of registered trademarks.

What about VAT?

You have to consult the laws in effect in your country, according to your status (private or professional individual), to know if you are liable or not for VAT.

How to declare income earned with Sculpteo?

Each country has its own rules concerning the income tax. Thanks to check with your local tax authority to declare income coming from Sculpteo royalties.

How are the contractual relations between Sculpteo, the Designer and the final client defined ?

The contractual relations between Sculpteo and the Designer are defined in the Particular Terms, and the ones between Sculpteo and the final client in the General Terms and Conditions.

How to create a free key ring?

In the gallery, click on the key ring icon on your chosen model.
Then customise you key ring by placing the hook you want, and order for free its 3D printing.
Only the delivery costs of 6€ have to be paid.

Why are the key rings always made in white plastic?

The white plastic material is more flexible and resistant, and so more adapted to make an object such as a key ring, that you could not be separated of!

How to give relief to a 2D image?

Click on the "Create" tab, then on "Create an image in relief".
Upload an image file, in one of the accepted formats (jpg, png, bmp, gif, tga), then modify the parameters (mode to give relief, thickness, colour) before ordering the 3D printing of your creation.
Please note : this method is particularly adapted for drawings, sketches and engravings.

What are the possible changes on the images in relief?

You can choose the mode to give relief to your image : extrusion (the 2D image is stretched to give volume), coloured bumpmap ("mountain" effect), or textured bumpmap.

You have also the possibility to modify the thickness of the background and image, and the colours.
This method allows to create original images in relief, perfect for customised gifts ideas.

How to prepare my image for an optimal effect in relief?

To improve the relief effect of your 2D image, you can work on it with a drawing software like Gimp (upload it for free) or Photoshop (not free), by modifying the contrast, the lightness and maybe by cutting out the important elements. The idea is to highly simplify the image, to avoid the interferences with background details.
Please note : this method is particularly adapted for drawings, sketches and engravings.

How to create a geometric form?

Click on the "Create" tab, then on "Create a geometric form".
Choose the form you want (standard or elaborate).
Deform, refine and colour before ordering the 3D printing of your creation.

What are the possible changes on the geometric forms?

You choose to create from a standard or elaborate geometric form. Then you can refine, deform and colour your model, before ordering its 3D printing.
This method allows to create original forms, perfect for customised gifts ideas.

How to create text in 3D?

Click on the "Create" tab, then on "Create a text in 3D".
Write your text, and choose your creation mode : simple text, engraving or with a background.

What are the possible changes on the text in 3D?

You can modify the font, the text and background thickness, the colour, before ordering the 3D printing.

How can I contact you if I don't find the help I need on your website?

You can fill the contact form, we will answer you as fast as possible.