Relief > Export > Create Triangle Mesh

Use this menu option to create a mesh of the composite relief. This is made up of a series of triangle facets that represent a closed 3D shape. Three-point co-ordinates and a direction describe each facet.

Note: The Create Triangle Mesh button on the Make and Model toolbars is a shortcut for this menu option.

To create a mesh from the composite relief:

1. Select Relief > Export > Create Triangle Mesh or click . The Create Triangle Mesh panel is displayed.
2. Choose an option from the Triangulation method list.
3. If you selected Optimise Triangles in the Triangulation method list, enter the Tolerance you want to use to control the number of triangles created.
4. Specify if and how a back face is created in the triangle mesh. Select:
   • Open mesh to create a mesh with no back face.
   • Close with back relief to close the mesh using the composite relief resulting from the layer stack associated with the back surface of the piece.
   • Close with a flat plane to close the mesh with a flat plane at zero Z-height.
   • Close with inverted front to close the mesh with a back plane formed using a copy of the current model, but inverted in Z.
   • Close with offset to close the mesh with an offset copy of the composite relief. Enter the distance of the offset in the Thickness box.
     Note: If you are creating a triangle mesh from a shank relief resulting from using one of the tools in the New Shanks area, it is recommended that you use this option.
5. If you selected Optimise Triangles in the Triangulation method list and you intend to wrap the resulting mesh around a curved surface:
   1. Select Limit Triangle size.
   2. Click the Limit length in list, followed by the option for the axes along which you limit the length of each triangle. Select:

      both directions to limit the length of each triangle along both the X and Y axis.

      X direction to limit the length of each triangle along the X axis only.

      Y direction to limit the length of each triangle along the Y axis only.

   3. In the Maximum side length box, enter a value, greater than zero, to specify the maximum length of the sides in each triangle.
6. To smooth the triangles in the resulting mesh:
   1. In the Advanced area, select Smooth shading.
   2. In the Smooth angle box, specify the angle of each triangle.
   Note: You can also smooth a mesh directly from the Project Tree using the Smooth option in the context menu displayed by right-clicking a 3D object item. When using this method, an angle of 17 degrees is always used.
7. Click Create to create the mesh according to your chosen settings. In the Result area, the volume of the mesh and the number of triangles created are displayed.
   Note: If there are no relief layers currently visible in the 3D view, a message dialog is displayed warning that the mesh has not been generated. Click OK to close the message dialog. A second message dialog is displayed warning that the mesh has not been created.
8. In the Result area, click the Drawing Mode list, followed by the option you want to use when rendering the mesh in the 3D view. Select:
   • Wireframe to view the mesh as a wireframe image. Triangles viewed from the front are shown in blue, while triangles viewed from the back are shown in red.
   • Shaded to view the mesh as a shaded image. The Modelling Default shading options are used, unless you have changed them using the Lights and Material page.
9. To calculate the approximate weight of the piece after the manufacturing process:
   1. In the Weight area, click the Material list, followed by the material in which you intend to manufacture the piece.
   2. Enter the estimated shrinkage in volume as a percentage in the Shrinkage box.

      The approximate weight displayed below the Shrinkage box is updated.

10. To save the mesh:
    1. In the Export area, click Save to display the Export Mesh As dialog.
    2. Navigate to the location on your computer in which you want to save the mesh.
    3. Enter a File name.
    4. Click the Save as type list, followed by the file type in which you want to save the mesh.
    5. If you selected to save to an .obj file, choose whether to save as a Triangle Mesh or as a Quadrangle Mesh.
    6. Click Save to close the dialog and save the mesh.
11. If you are working on a model within a project, and want to add the mesh to the project as a 3D object:
    1. In the Assembly area, enter a Name.
    2. Click Add to Project. A message confirms the mesh has been added to the project.
    3. Click OK to close the message. An assembly item and 3D object item are created beneath the root Assembly item in the Project Tree.