Softwares

Measuring elements and distances While it is always easier to model directly using the right dimensions, thicknesses, and distances, it is sometimes necessary to measure parts of an existing volume. CATIA has two tools: Absolute measurement and relative measurement. “Measure” tool The relative measurement tool calculates the distances between any type of geometry: points, lines,…

You can add text or raised patterns on your object using Sculpteo’s tools but you can also do it in CATIA. If you want to add text to your model, you can: ·         Use the CATIA text tool ·         Or import an existing text or picture Using CATIA text tool ·         Open the “Drafting” workbench in mechanical design…

Making a hollow model is a common task in modeling for 3D printing. Indeed, it helps limit the amount of material used to what is strictly necessary, thereby limiting the cost of production. It is also essential for some materials (especially ceramics) which need constant thickness. To hollow your model, you have several options. With…

Although surfaces are not directly usable for 3D printing, it is possible to use surface modeling by converting all surfaces into volume bodies before exporting. Therefore it must be modeled with a view to create a body which can be converted into a solid. For this you need to create a closed body with finite,…

CATIA offers two main types of models: Solid and surface. For these, there are two different workbenches you can use: 1.                  Part design exclusively for solid modeling 2.                  Generative Shape Design for both surface and solid modeling. Solid modeling involves different bodies, within which the functions are contained. Note that a body can contain any number of functions,…

This tutorial is for 3D printing enthusiasts who are already familiar with CATIA and would like to know the tricks for making a 3D printable model with CATIA. Throughout this tutorial, you will learn the best practices for modeling, correcting and exporting an object to be 3D printed and we will share our special tips…

CAD software are numerous and each sector and project require special software tools. In this blogpost, we are going to help you to choose a 3D modeling software for your automotive projects. Indeed, the automotive industry is actually making the most of the 3D printing technology, and in order to use this manufacturing process, you need a 3D…

Although Inventor allows you to import .stl mesh files, it doesn’t let you change or modify them as a normal modeling file. This means there is no way to add features or change shapes on .stl models that you may perhaps find at an online marketplace. This format, .stl, in fact, has been designed specifically…

When you’re done modeling and you are satisfied with the model you have produced, it means you are ready to prepare your .stl file for 3D printing. What you have modeled so far with Inventor is a solid component, with mathematical data that needs to be translated into a ‘mesh’, made of polygons, vertices, and…

Inventor allows us to very easily color the singular faces of our model or apply materials to them, but unfortunately, it doesn’t allow us the ability to export this information as proper files for Full Color 3D Printing. To partially avoid this problem, ‘CadStudio’ created a plug-in called ‘VRML Translator for Inventor’, which gives the…