3D MODEL VALIDATION AND OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF
A 3D model system is configured to validate and optimize for 3D printing an unprocessed 3D model described by an input data file. The 3D model system is configured to detect printability issues associated with the unprocessed 3D model and automatically address these issues. Such issues can include boundary edges, non-manifold geometries, structural deficiencies, etc. Upon resolving these issues, the 3D model can be optimized for 3D printing. Optimizations can include hollowing to reduce printing cost and exterior surface smoothing. The resulting validated and optimized 3D model can be converted into an output data file which can be an input to a 3D printer or a 3D printing service for printing the object depicted by the 3D model. The 3D model system can operate as a network or cloud-based service. Users are able to interact with the 3D model system using a series of web-based user interfaces.
1 . A computer-implemented method for providing, on a user device, a set of user interfaces related to a 3D printing validation and optimization process, the method comprising:
receiving an input data file representing an unprocessed 3D model;
analyzing the unprocessed 3D model to identify one or more printability issues each associated with a corresponding portion of the unprocessed 3D model; and
causing a first user interface to be provided on the user device, wherein the first user interface includes a first set of user interface features for displaying a first rendering of the unprocessed 3D model, a second set of user interface features for manipulating the displayed first rendering of the unprocessed 3D model, a third set of user interface features for displaying information regarding the unprocessed 3D model, and a fourth set of user interface features for receiving user input for customizing the 3D printing validation and optimization process of the unprocessed 3D model.
2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first user interface is provided within a web browser executing on the user device.
3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 ,
wherein portions of the unprocessed 3D model not associated with any of the one or more printability issues are rendered and displayed in the first set of user interface features in a default color; and
wherein portions of the unprocessed 3D model associated with any of the one or more printability issues are rendered and displayed in the first set of user interface features in one or more colors other than the default color.
4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the default color is green and the one or more colors other than the default color include red and yellow.
5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the second set of user interface features includes controls to move, rotate, or scale the first rendering of the unprocessed 3D model displayed in the first set of user interface features.
6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the information regarding the unprocessed 3D model includes information regarding the one or more printability issues, information regarding dimensions of the unprocessed 3D model, and information regarding a triangle count and a vertex count of the unprocessed 3D model.
7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the fourth set of user interface features includes a hollowing adjustment tool.
8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the hollowing adjustment tool is rendered as an adjustable slider bar.
9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the fourth set of user interface features includes a minimum wall thickness adjustment tool.
10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
performing at least a portion of the 3D validation and optimization process to generate a validated 3D model;
causing a second user interface to be provided on the user device, wherein the second user interface includes a fifth set of user interface features for displaying a second rendering of the unprocessed 3D model and a rendering of the validated 3D model and a sixth set of user interface features for manipulating content displayed in the fifth set of user interface features.
11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the second user interface is provided within a web browser executing on the user device.
12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the second rendering of the unprocessed 3D model and the rendering of the validated 3D model are displayed within the fifth set of user interface features contemporaneously.
13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 ,
wherein portions of the unprocessed 3D model not associated with any of the one or more printability issues are rendered and displayed in the fifth set of user interface features in a default color;
wherein portions of the unprocessed 3D model associated with any of the one or more printability issues are rendered and displayed in the fifth set of user interface features in one or more colors other than the default color;
wherein a portion of the validated 3D model associated with a printability issue resolved by the 3D printing validation and optimization process is rendered and displayed in the fifth set of user interface features in the default color.
14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the sixth set of user interface features for manipulating content displayed in the fifth set of user interface features includes controls to move, rotate, or scale the second rendering of the unprocessed 3D model and the rendering of the validated 3D model displayed in the fifth set of user interface features.
15 . The computer-implemented method of claim 14 , wherein the second rendering of the unprocessed 3D model and the rendering of the validated 3D model are moved, rotated, or scaled synchronously by the controls of the sixth set of user interface features.
16 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the second user interface further includes a seventh set of user interface features for displaying side-by-side comparisons of information regarding the unprocessed 3D model and the validated 3D model, including:
a side-by-side comparison of the one or more printability issues of the unprocessed 3D model and any printability issues identified in the validated 3D model;
a side-by-side comparison of dimensions of the unprocessed 3D model and dimensions of the validated 3D model, and
a side-by-side comparison of respective triangle counts and vertex counts of the unprocessed 3D model and the validated 3D model.
17 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the second user interface further includes an eighth set of user interface features for receiving user input for customizing the 3D printing validation and optimization process.
18 . The computer-implemented method of claim 17 , wherein the eighth set of user interface features includes re-performing at least a portion of the validation and optimization process based on user input received via the eight set of user interface features.
19 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a network system, cause the network system to:
receive an input data file representing an unprocessed 3D model;
analyze the unprocessed 3D model to identify one or more printability issues each associated with a corresponding portion of the unprocessed 3D model; and
cause a first user interface to be provided on a user device, wherein the first user interface includes a first set of user interface features to display a first rendering of the unprocessed 3D model, a second set of user interface features to manipulate the displayed first rendering of the unprocessed 3D model, a third set of user interface features to display information regarding the unprocessed 3D model, and a fourth set of user interface features for receiving user input for customizing a validation and optimization process of the unprocessed 3D model.
20 . A network system for performing a 3D printing validation and optimization process, comprising:
one or more processors;
one or more memory resources storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the network system to:
receive an input data file representing an unprocessed 3D model;
analyze the unprocessed 3D model to identify one or more printability issues each associated with a corresponding portion of the unprocessed 3D model; and
cause a first user interface to be provided on a user device, wherein the first user interface includes a first set of user interface features to display a first rendering of the unprocessed 3D model, a second set of user interface features to manipulate the displayed first rendering of the unprocessed 3D model, a third set of user interface features to display information regarding the unprocessed 3D model, and a fourth set of user interface features for receiving user input for customizing a validation and optimization process of the unprocessed 3D model.