I tried to scale a rectangular model to make the bottom 2/3 longer. Unfortunately scaling won’t work that way. So did some research. I split the rectangle at the 2/3 mark which allowed me to make only that piece longer. Just want I wanted. However, now I’m trying to put both pieces back together so it prints as one contiguous model. I tried to align the two pieces by eye and then use ASSEMBLE, but can’t tell if the two parts are joined and will print contiguous. Any advice, or is there another way to do this?
A quick way is to use a side and/or front view, eyeball placement and then zoom ever closer. Once you “guestimate” that it should fit, slice it and check the layer lines.
I am sure that there are more precise methods, but this has worked for me so far.
It may be a learning curve that’s more than what you’re looking for, but this sort of thing is really done much more efficiently in one of the (free) CAD programs that are designed for creating / modifying models.
If you already know about this, sorry, but not sure about your level of experience. You might take a look at TinkerCAD which is a very basic, user-friendly drag-and-drop CAD program that runs in your web browser (www.tinkercad.com). For your example, you’d slice the original rectangle as you did before, but the “align” feature and “cruise” features of the software would help you automatically line everything up perfectly.
When I started trying to do some of my own designing / modifying models, I started with FreeCAD – which is a great program but a lot to swallow and not very intuitive. I tend to use it only if I need something to have very precise dimensions and I want to start with a 2D sketch. I’ve been using TinkerCAD much more lately for most things – much less capable but much easier to do basic things.
Lately, I’ve been trying to teach myself to do more of the 3D modeling in Blender (also free design software but REALLY extensive and can be used to create Hollywood-quality CGI or 3d animations for films) which is capable of doing both more mechanical-type designs and more organic, sculpted ones. So far I’ve only managed to successfully create a couple of basic models with it, but it seems more like a hyper-advanced TinkerCAD in that everything is done by starting with basic shapes and modifying from there by drag-and-drop rather than drafting 2D sketches of parts.
TL;DR – Bambu Studio itself can do this sort of thing, but isn’t really set up for it. Take a look at TinkerCAD for a free solution that is more suited to that kind of task.
Hope that helps.
As mentioned, this is best done in CAD. I’d recommend OnShape since it is cloud based and requires only a browser. It is a professional grade CAD that was created by former employees of Solid Works. And it’s free.
However, it can be done in Studio but it’s hard to answer your question without an image of the model you are trying to extend. Can you load a screengrab of the model?
My thinking is not to use assemble but rather use split and connectors and then use boolean. But it would be far easier to show you if I had an image of the geometry you’re trying to extend so that I could suggest a method using your use-case.
Check the “cut to parts” checkbox, then scale the bottom part.
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Thanks! This is similar to what I did but quicker. When I scale the bottom part, it scales along the Y axis in both directions, so bottom part scales into the top part and then I have to drag one part to get rid of the overlap. When I drag, I have to eye ball it. Looks like there’s no auto align.
Unfortunately no auto align, and drop to bed, and reference from the bottom/top vs the center. Maybe one day:D
When I slice it, I just need to see that there isn’t a new wall between the two parts, right? I experimented and if the parts overlap at all, it looks like it prints as one contiguous piece. But if I separate the parts by the smallest amount, it puts a wall between the two pieces. So, if that’s correct, then I’m good to go! Thanks
Thanks for confirming!
Actually, I usually do it the other way around just in case I inadvertedly cause a gap in the layers. I make both parts overlap the slightest amount and try to avoid any gap. Zooming in as much as possible takes me to non-visible values and the slicer will avoid overlapping volumes in the sliced paths (unless the Studio memory bug crops up, but I have not had since a couple of updates).
Quick and dirty, but sufficient for many items.
If anyone winds up on this thread I found a solution/workaround, at least for rectangular objects.
- Select the object
- Use the Cut function, checking the “Cut to parts” box
- Make one cut along the outside of the object in the area you want to elongate
- Make another cut on the other side of area you want to elongate
- You should now have 3 parts of the same object with one in the middle
- scale the middle part using a single axis to the desired distance
- Now align the outer objects
- Boom, one longer part
This method can also be used to shorten rectangular objects by following the initial instructions, deleting the middle object and aligning the two remaining objects.
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You are a genius
I had the same problem as OP. I used your method, but only cutting once and using ctrl + left click to resize. And here I was thinking I was going to have to learn CAD xD