Welcome to the Mesh Healer guide, your go-to resource for mastering the MeshInspector plugin's powerful tool for 3D model repair. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the key features of Mesh Healer, providing detailed insights on how to effectively use this tool to address common issues in 3D models.
Note:
Beginning with version 2.3.5, we have seamlessly combined Mesh Healer (repair tool) and Mesh Inspector (inspection tool) functionalities within the Mesh Healer tool.
Understanding the Control Window
1. Tolerance Setting
The tolerance setting acts as a dial for accuracy. By default, Mesh Healer calculates the best tolerance based on the model. Adjusting the tolerance allows you to balance between preserving details and computing power. Lower tolerance saves more details but may take longer. Use it cautiously based on your computing resources.
2. Display Deviation Map
Activate the color map to visualize differences before and after repair by pressing "Display Deviation Map." This feature helps you assess the impact of repairs and make informed decisions.
3. Inspect and Repair Section
Identify and address the main issues in the model by selecting or deselecting specific types of issues. Click the gear button to customize settings, adjust them as needed, and apply the changes.
4. Components Identification
Mesh Healer identifies components as large or small, treating them differently. Large components are fixed using boolean unite, while small ones are deleted to achieve a single large component. Customize settings to preserve small components if desired.
5. Holes Identification
Mesh Healer categorizes holes into large and small. While it highlights large holes, it doesn't fix them. To repair, use the "Fill Holes" feature. Large holes may be intentional features, so review them carefully.
6. Self-Intersections, Degeneracies, and Small Tunnel Faces
Identify and repair self-intersections, degeneracies, and small tunnel faces with a single click using Mesh Healer. These issues can affect the geometry and printing quality.
E.g. degeneracies are:
Very narrow triangles (hence it is not visible that they are degenerate).
Very short edges (nearby are either degenerate or very small triangles).
Double edges (this is already a topological degeneration).
They are fixed locally with either decimation or a local subdivide algorithm.
7. 3D Printing Issues
Mesh Healer helps identify inadequate wall thickness and undercuts, which can impact print quality. Address these issues using MeshInspector's other tools.
8. Auto Repair Tool
For a one-click solution, use the Auto Repair Tool. It makes the mesh watertight and addresses inconsistencies by rebuilding the entire model. Note that results depend on tolerance settings.
Tips and Recommendations
Experiment with different approaches and tolerance settings.
Combine Mesh Healer with other MeshInspector tools for comprehensive model repair.
Roll back changes if needed and try alternative methods.
Review the Help section or contact support@meshinspector.com for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I preserve small components during the repair process?
A: Yes, you can customize settings in the Components Identification section to preserve small components.
Q: How do I address large holes in my model?
A: Use the "Fill Holes" feature to repair large holes identified by Mesh Healer.
Q: What should I do if the Auto Repair Tool doesn't produce the desired result?
A: Experiment with different tolerance settings and consider manual adjustments using MeshInspector's other tools.
Q: How can I optimize the model for 3D printing?
A: Identify and address issues like inadequate wall thickness and undercuts using Mesh Healer and other MeshInspector tools.