December 27, 2015

This MeshMixer Tutorial for 3D Printing Beginners will show you how to use Autodesk Meshmixer and how to make your model ready
to print in 10 easy steps.

First of all, you will need to download and install Autodesk MeshMixer.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 1: Import your 3D model

Now, you need to import the 3D model file you want to optimize: Start MeshMixer and click on Import in the middle of the window.
Next, select the file you want to edit. Autodesk MeshMixer supports the four most common mesh file types: .STL, .OBJ, .PLY, and
.AMF.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 2: Set the print space

1. C c o

t e botto

e t co e

Click on Print to switch to the Print window.

2. Click on Printer Properties.

You can add your own printer or select one from the list.

3. Select Settings in the Printer Properties window.

4. Now switch to the Printers tab and click Add New Printer. This will return you to the Printer Properties.
5. You can now name the printer and select Process of printing.
6. Set the size of your Print Space measured from the bottom center of the build plate or a bottom corner.

7. Set the Thickness Threshold to 1.

8. Click on Add to list your 3D Printer so you can work with it in the digital print space.
9. To leave the printing area click on the arrow in the top right corner.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 3: Learn the basic movements

Press the central mouse button to pan
Press Shift+central or right mouse button to orbit
Press Ctrl+central mouse button or scroll with the wheel to zoom.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 4: Move your model

Use the Transform tool to move your model around. It is not final though and you can place it on the build plate later on.

Click the Edit button on the left and select Transform. Here you can change basic placement data of the object or move and rotate it

Manual placement
1. Check the Enable Snapping box at the bottom of the Transform window. You can change the Snap Step to the accuracy you
need for placing objects.
2. Click and drag one of the arrows to move the object alongside an axis.
3. The quarter circles will rotate the object.
4. To scale your model, click and drag the withe cube in the center to scale it uniformly. To stretch the model to one side, click and
drag the square at the end of the arrows.
5. Shift your model alongside a plane by click and dragging the triangles.
Data transformation
1. Select either the Local or World Frame coordinate system whichever suites you best.
2. You can rotate the object onto a flat side by setting the different rotate axis to a certain degree or using the red, green and blue
arrows to rotate it manually. Click on accept when your object is placed on a flat side. In the next point you will clip it to the ground,
so do not worry if it protrudes.
3. Now click on the Align command directly under Transform. You will have to try different settings until the object is placed correctly
on the build plate, as every model has a different geometry.
4. Set the Source to Basepoint or to Surface point and try the different axis in the next option. You can also check flip if the object is
placed below the build plate. Click on accept to confirm.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 4: Check if your 3D model is watertight

Holes in the objects mesh can cause your 3D print to fail. Holes occur due to unintentional deleting or mistakes during
saving/importing. MeshMixer has a handy tool that spots and repairs those holes.
1. Click on Analysis, and then Inspector.

MeshMixer can repair minor mistakes in the mesh. As soon as the sphere turns red you will have to do the fixing on your own

2. You can now see all the holes highlighted in blue and a blue ball connected to them. If the ball and area is marked red, the hole is
not manifold. That means you can fix this hole only by editing the object manually.
3. Left click on a blue ball to repair the hole. If the missing triangle is too complicated to fix, the ball will turn grey. Do not click on a
red ball or Autofix when your object has a hole that is not manifold! If you do so, the program will cause havoc to your object! Try
to export the model from your CAD or mesh editiong program again.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 5: Create a solid model

It is now time to turn the mesh into a solid.
1. Click on Edit, and then Make Solid.

Select Make Solid to avoid paper-thin walls.

2. Select Solid Type. Now you can decide between different levels of accuracy to transform the mesh. Choose Fast, as this is pretty
precise and also fast to process.

Higher accuracy requires more processing power.

3. Set Color Transfer Mode to Automatic.

4. You can now adjust Solid Accuracy. This setting will connect generated cells to each other. Higher accuracy means a better
detection of gaps but it will also take longer to process. First, set Accuracy to about 100. You can either use the slider or click on
the value next to it and change it by typing.
5. Change Mesh Density to 100 as well. This will determine edges. If you enter a smaller number, edges will be projected as
chamfers.
6. Offset Distance allows you to make your object thicker or thinner. The filament you are printing is always going to shrink when it
cools down. PLA shrinks by up to 1.5% and ABS in some cases by up to 5%! So if you know the percentage of how much your
filament is going to shrink, you can add some material to your object. If accuracy is no big issue and if you have a rather small
object, just leave accuracy at zero. Click on Accept to continue.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 6: Make your model hollow

Sometimes when printing big models with a big volume, you might want to save time and material. This step will show you how to
hollow your object.

This tool will save you time and money!

1. Click on Edit, and then Hollow (right below the Make Solid command).
2. After processing, you will see the object as a see-through and with black pockets, representing the hollowed out area.
3. You can now change the Offset. This will determine the thickness of the walls. But remember: Do not make the walls too thin or
else the print might collapse. Walls should be a minimum of 1mm.

So for a fast and good result it is best to pick about 250 for Accuracy and 100-150 for Mesh Density.
5. Leave the other settings at their defaults and click Accept to proceed.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 7: Place for printing

1. Click on Print in the bottom left corner.

Make sure you select the solid model!

2. Here you can see the 3D object file you imported in first place followed by the solid model you created. Click on the little eye next to
the objects name to hide or show it. The imported file should be hidden. If not, hide it and select the solid model.
3. Now click on Transform to place your object on the build plate. Once again you can use the arrows to move and scale the model
or change the coordinates. When rotating the model it is easier to use the Rotate by 90 option found below the current coordinate
display.
4. Click on Move to Platform.
5. Fit to Volume will stretch the object to the entire build space evenly.
6. Click Done when you placed and scaled the model.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 8: Check for stability & durability

Since you created a solid object and checked if your object is watertight it shouldnt need any further repairs. However, you can still
check the stability and potential breakage.

twice about them.

The green sphere indicates correct placement on the build plate.

3. Now switch to the Stability check right next to Strength. A green sphere indicates correct placement on the build plate. The red
rectangle shows the connected area. If you see a red sphere instead, you will need to rotate and move the print into a more stable
position by using the Transform feature.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 9: Add supports

Let Autodesk MeshMixer add supports to the model.

1. If the model is placed correctly, you can now click on the Add supports button and let MeshMixer calculate the best support
placement for your object.
2. To tweak the support setting, click on the little icon next to Add supports. Here you either select your settings or choose one from
the support list, e.g. Makerbot or Ultimaker.
3. Click on Convert to Solid, and youre done.

MeshMixer Tutorial Step 10: Print your 3D model

Now your 3D model is optimized and ready for printing! If you own a printer in the list, you can send it directly to the printers original
slicing program by pressing Print. You can also export the file and open it in the slicing program of your choice. Autodesk MeshMixer
also has the option to directly send the model three online 3D printing services: Sculpteo, i.materialise and Shapeways.
Congratulations! You have finished this MeshMixer tutorial.
License: The text of "MeshMixer Tutorial for 3D Printing Beginners" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License.

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jonasas 6 months ago

loved the article! very informative and newbie friendly :)

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