ZBrushCentral

How to size models correctly for 3D printing?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I created a model in ZB but since I don’t know any way to correctly size it for printing inside ZB I exported to Rhino and simply used the grid in cm and scaled my model but when it was uploaded to the site they received with a wildly wrong measures from the ones I intended. So that didn’t work. Hence my question…how do you do it? Can we do it in ZB?

Thanks…

#2

The 3D Print Exporter plugin should handle that.
Just click ‘update size ratios’, select your unit (inches or mm), and then adjust the length of one axis to the measurement of your choice (the other two will update automatically)

#3

Thanks, duh…I scrolled through the plug ins too quickly must have missed that one…

Thank you again

#4

I figured out how to be more specific on the sizing of an existing sculpt. It may be obvious to some, but it wasn’t to a newb like me. Basically if you want your final print to be 10" x 20" you can change the size of the sculpt in the geometry sub panel to 1 x y .5 and then the 3d exporter will properly scale to the chosen size. My next mission is to figure out how to lock the z size in the geometry sub panel, so it doesn’t scale when I change the x, y values proportionately. I also need to find out if the 20 inch max is a hard limit or can go bigger. I need up to 48" for my mold making plans. I hope this helps someone else.

#5

If you want to change the proportions of the model itself (such as making one axis longer than the rest), resize it first using the size deformer (under tools: deform) instead of using the print exporter. The print exporter lets you set the real-world unit size of the bounding box, but it doesn’t let you change the shape of it.

As for the 48"… do you have access to a printer that supports that size? I think most print beds are going to be a fraction of that size. If you’re printing something larger with the intent of using it to make a mold, you can always print it in smaller parts and patch it back together before creating the mold itself.

#6

I am considering printing for molds. The idea to chop up the model is a good one. Thanks.