Getting Started with 3D Printing, 2nd Edition

NONMANIFOLD 3D MODELS MAKE SLICERS GUESS (SOMETIMES INCORRECTLY)

Symptom: Your resulting 3D model does not look as it does on the screen. (Figure 5-17)

Reason:

There were errors in your 3D model that the slicer tried to repair, but did not repair well.

“Non-manifold” models refer to 3D models which are not fully “enclosed or sealed together”

in their 3D form. Manifold models can be thought of like a perfect sphere made from a black

plastic. Non-manifold models would be that same sphere but with a small hole cut out of the

“skin” of the sphere, allowing one to look inside and see the interior geometry.

Solution:

Unless you are supremely confident ...