3D Printing Tutorial : Meshmixer
Design a 3D printable model
Getting started and setting the units







Making a 3D model printable
The volume intersection must be removed in order to make your 3D model printable. To do so, use the “Make Solid” tool found in the “Edit” tab.

Resize your 3D model
Before resizing your model, you must ensure that the component elements of your 3D model are combined. In the “Object Browser” window, select the different elements then click on “Combine” in the “Edit” tab.


Applying a texture to your 3D model
Applying color
The “Sculpt” tab lets you add color to your 3D model. If you do not see the color applied, hold down the space bar to make it appear.
For color gradients, first apply the different shades of color to your model. Then select the “SmoothColor” tool from the list of brushes available.
Apply a textured effect
Use the “Stencil” tool to add details to your surface in order to give it a textured effect. To do so, import a black and white image into your “Stencil” tool. This will serve as a stamp – only the white parts of the image will appear on your 3D model.
Be careful, the quality of the texturing applied will correlate to your mesh’s resolution. If your mesh resolution is low, it will appear pixelated.
Increase the mesh resolution
To increase the resolution, while still in the “Sculpt” tab, click on the “Volume” section then select the “Refine” tool. Apply the “Refine” tool to the desired surface to increase the mesh resolution, while holding down the [W] key to view the mesh’s component triangles.
Applying the “Refine” tool does not change the shape of the model but only refines its surface resolution. The benefit of this tool is that it enables you to increase the resolution of your mesh locally. You can therefore optimize your model’s resolution and avoid creating a large 3D file.



Analyzing and exporting your 3D file
Analyze a 3D file
In the “Analysis” tab, click on “Inspector”. This tool allows you to analyze your 3D model and to detect problems with your file. It enables you to correct any defects with your 3D model, as described in the “Make sure your 3D model is closed” paragraph of this tutorial.
Print your 3D model with the Meshmixer interface
Click on the “Print” tab: you will be redirected to the MeshMixer 3D printing interface.
You can then select Sculpteo to print your 3D model. You can select the desired material and modify the size of your 3D model. When you have completed your choices, click on “Update” to update the price of the 3D printing.
Then click on “View Cart”. A window will appear with a preview of the model that you are about to print. You can choose the amount required.
Click on “Order”: you will be redirected to the Sculpteo site.
With one click, your model is immediately loaded into our 3D printing interface. All you need to do is continue with your shopping or complete checkout with your cart.



Avoid mistakes that occur when designing 3D files for 3D printing on MeshMixer
Save a 3D model without singular elements
To remove singular elements, use the “Selection” tool, to draw a line separating the 3D model from the other singular elements.
Draw a line to select the singular elements, and then simply delete them by clicking on “Discard”, found in the “Edit” tab.


Make sure your 3D model is closed
A 3D model must be closed in order to be printable. You must therefore ensure that there are no holes in the 3D model.
In the “Analysis” tab, click on “Inspector”. Many pins will appear: they indicate where there are problems in your model. Blue pins indicate the holes in your 3D model. You can click on the pins one by one to automatically resolve the problems indicated. You can also correct the entire model all at once by clicking on the “Auto Repair All” button.

Create a smooth, flat surface at the base of the 3D model
The “Plane Cut” tool enables you to create a smooth, flat base for your 3D model, without irregularities.
In the “Edit” tab, click on “Plane Cut”. Click and pull the arrows to position your model according to the desired cutting plane. Then go to the “Plane Cut” window and click “Accept”.
Your model will now have a smooth support surface.
For more information concerning errors to avoid and Sculpteo repair tools, please refer to our Repair Your File for 3D Printing page.

