3D printing or additive manufacturing is the process of computer controlled layering of materials creating a 3D object from a digital file. These 3D objects can be of almost any shape or geometry.

OpenBuildings Speedikon supports the creation of 3D print-ready models. A MicroStation 3D printable mesh volume is created from 3D geometry by adding the elements to a 3D print model.

Most 3D printing machines accept input in the form of STL files. OpenBuildings Speedikon creates STL files from a 3D printable mesh volume which can be directly fed to 3D printers for printing.

For an element to be 3D printable, it is recommended that the element is a watertight closed mesh volume. Watertight means the mesh should not contain any holes, cracks or missing features.

About Print Volumes

A 3D print volume is a representation of the volume in the 3D Printer. It is fixed for a printer and is determined by the values you enter in the 3D Printer Profile Settings dialog for a printer. Refer to your 3D printer manual for specific settings.

The display of print volume can be controlled by turning on or off the 3D Printer Volume marker in the Markers setting of the View Attributes dialog.