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Exporting from Maya for 3D printing on the Zprint [OBSOLETE]

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:26 pm
by jstenner
FROM 2011, SO LIKELY OBSOLETE NOW

Tutorial by Daniel Tankersley on how to get your files into the ZCorp printer in the Fabrication Lab:

http://arts.ufl.edu/aafablab/mayaexport.htm

Exporting from Maya for 3D Printing on the Zprint Rapid Prototyper
by Daniel Tankersley

The best geometry has no holes, overlaps or edges unattached.
ONLY USE .JPG OR .PNG FILES FOR SHADER IMAGES

You have created a model in Maya that you want to print in 3D with color.
All your textures are solid colors, Maya materials, or image files you can find on your computer.
It needs to be exported as a vrml file. Here’s how:

This is an example Maya model.


maya01.jpg


If you have not already done so, Select All and choose Mesh > Combine.
You must select Polygons from the drop-down near the top left of the screen for this option to appear in the menu bar.

maya02.jpg


To enable the vrml export plug-in, first open the Plug-In Manager under Window > Settings/Preferences.

maya03.jpg


Scroll down the page and check both boxes next to vrml2Export.Bundle.
Click Refresh, then Close.

maya04.jpg


Select All again, and choose File > Export Selection...

maya05.jpg


In the Export Selection dialog window, make sure your settings match those shown below.
Choose vrml2 for File type. Other crucial settings are circled.
When your settings are ready, click Export Selection at the bottom.

maya06.jpg


In the next dialog box, make sure to select vrml2 as your format (again).
Name the file with your last name.

maya07.jpg


You will end up with a .wrl file and one or more .rgb files, depending upon the number of texture files used by your model.
If you did not use texture files, you will not have .rgb files.
In either case, you can ignore the .rgb files. The .wrl file is the important one.

maya08.jpg


Make a new folder, again naming it after your last name.
Copy or move the .wrl file to that folder.
Then copy the original texture files you used while creating the model to that same folder.

maya09.jpg

Take your project on a usb drive to the fab lab during normal help hours.
Make sure to write down the final size you want for the object.

Super Important Final Step
You will receive a cost quote for printing your 3D model.
You must confirm this cost before the model will be printed.
Sometimes there are delays with the equipment. Plan ahead!