A 3D printing method, device and apparatus

Abstract

Provided are a 3D printing method, device and equipment, which can improve 3D printing modeling and printing efficiency. The method comprises: obtaining an object model with a block as a basic unit, the block being a cuboid with equal sizes; converting the object model with the block as the basic unit into a 3D printing file; and sending the 3D printing file to a 3D printer for printing. The 3D object model is with the block as the basic unit. Since the block is a volumetric particle, the 3D printing process is equivalent to printing 3D pixels with the block as the basic unit. In the process of converting the 3D model into the 3D printing file, whether the current model is suitable for 3D printing does not need to be considered. Therefore, the 3D printing method can save the calculation amount in the calculation process of the 3D printing file, thereby improving the efficiency of 3D printing and improving the printing success rate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of computer, in particular to a 3D printing method, device and equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] 3D printing is a technology that uses powder-like metal or plastic and other materials that can be bonded to construct objects through layer-by-layer printing based on digital model files.

[0003] The design process of the prior art 3D printing is: first through computer software, then partition the built three-dimensional model into layer-by-layer cross section, i.e. slice, to guide the printer to print layer by layer. The printer reads the cross section information in the file, and prints these cross sections layer by layer with liquid, powder or sheet materials, and then bonds the layers in various ways to manufacture a solid.

[0004] The 3D method in the prior art is based on points, lines and surfaces, and uses traditional CAD software such as Maya and 3dsmax. Due to the influence of the earth's gravity, not all 3D models can be 3D printed, and the model must be guaranteed not to collapse during printing and to be sufficient at each instant, so the user needs to think about how to 3D print when designing, otherwise it is difficult to generate a suitable printable file. In addition to the complexity and time-consuming of the above process, it often needs to be reviewed by the human eye, resulting in relatively low printing efficiency. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a 3D printing method, device and equipment, which can improve the efficiency of 3D printing.

[0006] The first aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a 3D printing method, comprising:

[0007] An object model with a block as a basic unit is obtained, the block is a cube, the object model with the block as a basic unit is converted into a 3D printing file, and the 3D printing file is sent to a 3D printer for printing.

[0008] The 3D object model in the present application is based on a block (cube) as a basic unit, which can directly convert the object model with the block as a basic unit into a 3D printing file, and then send the 3D printing file to a 3D printer for printing. Because the block itself is not a simple geometric figure, but a particle with volume, the 3D printing process prints 3D pixels based on the block. In the process of converting the 3D model into a 3D printing file, it is not necessary to consider whether the current model is suitable for 3D printing. Therefore, the 3D printing method in the embodiment of the present application can save the calculation amount in the calculation process of the 3D printing file, improve the calculation speed, and thus improve the efficiency of 3D printing.

[0009] With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the obtaining the object model in the block unit comprises: obtaining the object model in the block unit selected by the user from a predetermined application scenario according to user selection.

[0010] With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the obtaining the object model in the block unit selected by the user from a predetermined application scenario according to user selection comprises: selecting a 3D object in the block unit as the object model in the block unit from a 3D software application based on the block unit according to user selection.

[0011] With reference to any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the converting the object model in the block unit into a 3D model file supporting 3D printing, the method further comprises: adding a support in the object model in the block unit.

[0012] Because the present solution adds a support in the object model in the block unit, the block is more stable than an irregular surface based on a point, a line or a plane, and the points for adding the support can be calculated more conveniently, thereby saving the calculation time and improving the modeling efficiency during 3D printing.

[0013] With reference to any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the converting the object model in the block unit into a 3D model file supporting 3D printing, the method further comprises: marking out a hollow surface and an invisible surface in the object model.

[0014] The invisible surface and the hollow surface can be identified more quickly and more accurately in the object model in the block unit than in the object model based on a point, a line or a plane, thereby saving the calculation time and improving the modeling efficiency during 3D printing, so that the invisible surface does not need to be printed and the hollow surface is removed, and the material cost can be saved.

[0015] With reference to any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the converting the object model in the block unit into a 3D model file supporting 3D printing, the method further comprises: adjusting the size ratio of the physical model to a size ratio that can be printed at one time.

[0016] The second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a 3D printing device, comprising:

[0017] 3D model obtaining module, used for obtaining an object model with a cube as a basic unit, the cube being an equilateral cube; 3D printing file generating module, used for converting the object model with the cube as the basic unit into a 3D model file supporting 3D printing; and sending module, used for sending the model file supporting 3D printing to a 3D printer for printing.

[0018] With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the 3D model obtaining module is specifically configured to obtain the object model with the cube as the basic unit selected by the user from predetermined application scenarios according to user selection.

[0019] With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the 3D model obtaining module is specifically configured to obtain a 3D object with the cube as the basic unit as the object model with the cube as the basic unit from a cube-based 3D software application according to user selection.

[0020] With reference to any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the device further comprises a 3D model first processing module, configured to add a support in the object model with the cube as the basic unit.

[0021] With reference to any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the device further comprises a 3D model second processing module, configured to mark out a hollow surface and an invisible surface in the object model.

[0022] With reference to any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the device further comprises a 3D model third processing module, configured to adjust a size ratio of the physical model to a size ratio that can be printed at one time.

[0023] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a 3D printing device, comprising a processor and a memory; wherein the memory is used for storing program code, and the processor invokes the program code in the memory to perform the following operations:

[0024] obtaining an object model with a cube as a basic unit, the cube being a cube; converting the object model with the cube as the basic unit into a 3D printing file; and sending the 3D printing file to a 3D printer for printing.

[0025] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the scheme of the embodiment of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] The 3D object model in the embodiment of the present application is based on a block (cube) as a basic unit, which can directly convert the object model based on the block as a basic unit into a 3D printing file, and then send the 3D printing file to a 3D printer for printing. Because the block itself is not a simple geometric figure, but a volumetric particle, it is very easy to add a support surface on the block, or remove a hollow surface and an invisible surface, just like 2D printing is printing pixels, and 3D printing is actually printing 3D pixels based on blocks, so it is not necessary to consider whether the current model is suitable for 3D printing in the process of converting the 3D model into a 3D printing file, thereby improving the calculation speed in the 3D printing process and improving the efficiency of 3D printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A flow chart of the 3D printing method in the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 Another flow chart of the 3D printing method in the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 3 A functional module schematic diagram of the 3D printing device in the embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 4 A hardware structure schematic diagram of the 3D printing device in the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0032] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and the like (if any) in the specification and claims of the present application and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily indicate a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data thus used can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units does not necessarily limit to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0033] In the simulation software such as Minecraft and Paracraft, each user is allowed to freely create and destroy different kinds of blocks in a three-dimensional space. The image of the user in the software can create exquisite buildings and art by destroying or creating blocks in single-player or multi-player mode, or collect items to explore the map to complete the main line of the software. In this kind of software, the basic element is a block.

[0034] Users of this kind of software may have the need to make some content such as items and characters created in the software into real-world items, which can now be realized by using 3D printing technology.

[0035] The present application provides a 3D printing method, which can greatly reduce the amount of data to be processed in 3D, improve the calculation speed, and thus improve the printing efficiency.

[0036] The execution subject of the 3D printing method in the embodiment is a 3D printing device, which can be integrated in a software client, which can be loaded in a terminal, which can be a smart phone, a tablet computer, an MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer IV) player, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1 An embodiment of the 3D printing method in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0038] 101. Obtain an object model in block units, wherein the block is a cube.

[0039] The physical model in the present application is a 3D model composed of blocks as basic units, wherein the block is a cube, and the edge length of the cube can be customized according to specific application scenarios and user needs.

[0040] The object model in block units selected by the user can be obtained from the predetermined application scenario according to the user's selection. The predetermined application scenario can be a block-based 3D software, such as the block-based simulation software mentioned above, such as Minecraft and Paracraft. The predetermined application scenario is not limited to block-based 3D software, but can also be other block-based applications.

[0041] Taking a block-based 3D software as an example, the user can select a corresponding 3D object in the software process, such as a virtual object, an ornament, etc. The 3D object is the object model in block units selected by the user.

[0042] There are various methods for obtaining the object model with the block as the basic unit, and optionally, as another implementation manner, the planar model (for example, a 2D model) or other 3D models (for example, a 3D model based on points, lines and surfaces) with non-block as the basic unit can be converted into the model with the block as the basic unit to obtain the object model with the block as the basic unit.

[0043] Optionally, as another implementation manner, the model with the block as the basic unit can also be stored in the storage device in the form of a model set, for example, a cloud server. The user obtains the printing model to be printed from the model set when 3D printing.

[0044] 102, converting the object model with the block as the basic unit into a 3D printing file;

[0045] After obtaining the object model with the block as the basic unit, the object model with the block as the basic unit is converted into a file supporting 3D printing, and the file format supporting 3D printing is generally stl or bfb format.

[0046] 103, sending the 3D printing file to the 3D printer for printing.

[0047] After the object model with the block as the basic unit is converted into the file supporting 3D printing, the 3D printing file is sent to the 3D printer, the 3D printer obtains the multi-layer cross-section information through slicing, and then the obtained multi-layer cross-section information is printed layer by layer.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present application, the 3D object model is based on the block (cubic) as the basic unit, the object model with the block as the basic unit can be directly converted into the 3D printing file, and then the 3D printing file is sent to the 3D printer for printing. Because the block itself is not a simple geometric figure, but a particle with volume, it is very easy to add a support surface on the block, or remove the hollow surface and invisible surface, just like the 2D printing is the pixel printing, and the 3D printing is actually the 3D pixel printing based on the block, so it is not necessary to consider whether the current model is suitable for 3D printing in the process of converting the 3D model into the 3D printing file. Therefore, the 3D printing method in the embodiment of the present application can save the calculation amount in the calculation process of the 3D printing file, improve the calculation speed, and thus improve the efficiency of 3D printing.

[0049] Optionally, before the object model with the block as the basic unit is converted into the 3D printing file, the physical model can also be processed to make the converted 3D printing file more conducive to 3D printing. Figure 2 Another flowchart of the 3D printing method in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0050] 201, obtaining the object model with the block as the basic unit;

[0051] The specific implementation method of step 201 can refer to the method of step 101 in the embodiment shown in the following table. Figure 1

[0052] 202、Adding supports in the object model based on blocks; in order to ensure that the model printed in the 3D printing process will not collapse, before converting the object model based on blocks into a 3D printing file, the 3D model is analyzed and processed, and appropriate supports are added in the 3D model. Because the present scheme adds supports in the object model based on blocks, the blocks are more stable than the irregular surfaces based on points, lines and surfaces, and the points for adding supports can be calculated more conveniently, thereby saving the calculation time.

[0053] 203、Removing or filling the hollow surfaces and invisible surfaces in the object model based on blocks;

[0054] In addition, in order to save the material cost in printing, before converting the object model based on blocks into a 3D printing file, the invisible surfaces and hollow surfaces in the 3D model are analyzed according to the dot matrix of the blocks, and the invisible surfaces and hollow surfaces are marked in the 3D model file, so that the invisible surfaces do not need to be printed, and the hollow surfaces are removed, thereby saving the material cost.

[0055] 204、Adjusting the size ratio of the physical model based on blocks to a size ratio that can be printed at one time;

[0056] In addition, optionally, in order to enable the printer to print the physical model at one time, before converting the object model based on blocks into a 3D printing file, the size ratio of the object model needs to be adjusted, so that the model can be suitable for printing by the printer.

[0057] Optionally, before converting the object model based on blocks into a 3D printing file, the printing precision of the model is acquired, and the object model based on blocks is converted into a 3D printing file according to the printing precision.

[0058] It should be noted that the execution order between steps 202, 203 and 204 is not limited, and step 202 can be executed first, then step 203, and then step 204; step 203 can be executed first, then step 202, and then step 204; or step 204 can be executed at the same time as steps 202 and 203.

[0059] 205、Converting the object model based on blocks into a 3D printing file;

[0060] ​206. Send the 3D printing file to the 3D printer for printing.

[0061] For detailed implementation methods of steps 205 and 206, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 1 Steps 102 and 103 in the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0062] The following describes an embodiment of the 3D printing device in this invention.

[0063] The 3D printing device can be integrated into a software client, which can be installed on a terminal, such as a smartphone, tablet, MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer IV) player, laptop, or desktop computer.

[0064] Please see Figure 3 One embodiment of the 3D printing device 3 in this invention includes:

[0065] The 3D model acquisition module 301 is used to acquire an object model with a cube as the basic unit, wherein the cube is an equilateral cube;

[0066] The 3D file generation module 302 is used to convert the object model with blocks as the basic unit into a file that supports 3D printing.

[0067] The sending module 303 is used to send the 3D printing-supported file to the 3D printer for printing.

[0068] Optionally, the 3D model acquisition module 301 is specifically used for:

[0069] Based on the user's selection, retrieve the object model selected by the user, which uses blocks as the basic unit, from the predetermined application scenario.

[0070] Optionally, the 3D model acquisition module 301 is specifically used for:

[0071] The user selects to obtain a 3D object based on blocks from a block-based 3D software application as the object model based on blocks.

[0072] Optionally, the 3D printing device 3 also includes the following functional modules not shown in the figures:

[0073] The first 3D model processing module is used to add supports to the object model, which is based on blocks.

[0074] Optionally, the 3D printing device 3 also includes:

[0075] 3D model second processing module, for marking out the hollow surface and invisible surface in the object model.

[0076] Optionally, the 3D printing device 3 further comprises:

[0077] 3D model third processing module, for adjusting the size proportion of the physical model to a size proportion that can be printed at one time.

[0078] The hardware structure of the 3D printing device in the embodiment of the application is introduced as follows.

[0079] In combination Figure 4 The embodiment of the application further provides a 3D printing device, specifically comprising a processor 401 and a memory 402, the memory 402 is used for storing program codes, and the processor 401 calls the program codes in the memory to execute the functions of the 3D printing method provided by the embodiments shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The 3D printing method provided by the embodiments shown in mainly comprises:

[0080] Obtaining an object model with a block as a basic unit, the block being a cube; converting the object model with the block as the basic unit into a 3D printing file; and sending the 3D printing file to a 3D printer for printing.

[0081] It should be noted that the functions can be realized by hardware, or realized by hardware executing corresponding software programs. The hardware and software include one or more unit modules corresponding to the above functions, and the unit modules can be software and / or hardware.

[0082] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus, and the parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment can be referred to the related description of other embodiments.

[0083] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the above-described devices and modules can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0084] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented by other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0085] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, i.e. may be located in one place, or may be distributed on multiple network units. Part or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0086] In addition, each functional unit in various embodiments of the application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0087] The integrated unit, if realized in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the application, essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to make a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the steps of the method described in various embodiments of the application. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various program code storage media.

[0088] The principles and implementation modes of the application are described by applying specific examples in this paper, and the above description of the embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the application and its core idea; at the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the application, there will be changes in specific implementation modes and application scope, and the above description of the specification should not be understood as a limitation of the application.

Claims

1. A 3D printing method, characterized in that, include: The planar model or other 3D model based on non-block units is converted into a model based on blocks to obtain an object model based on blocks, wherein the blocks are equilateral cubes. Remove hollow and invisible surfaces from the object model; The object model with blocks as the basic unit is converted into a 3D printing file, and the printability of the model does not need to be verified during the conversion process. The 3D printing file is sent to the 3D printer for printing.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of obtaining an object model based on blocks as the basic unit includes: Based on the user's selection, retrieve the object model selected by the user, which uses blocks as the basic unit, from the predetermined application scenario.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of retrieving the object model selected by the user from the predetermined application scenario, which is based on the block unit, includes: The user selects a 3D object with a block as the basic unit from a block-based 3D software application as the object model with the block as the basic unit.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Before converting the object model, which uses blocks as its basic unit, into a 3D printing file, the following steps are included: Add supports to the object model that uses blocks as the basic unit.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before converting the object model, which uses blocks as its basic unit, into a 3D printing file, the following steps are also included: Adjust the size of the object model to a size that can be printed in one go.

6. A 3D printing apparatus, characterized in that, include: The 3D model acquisition module is used to convert a planar model or other 3D model with non-block as the basic unit into a model with block as the basic unit to obtain an object model with block as the basic unit, wherein the block is an equilateral cube. The second 3D model processing module is used to remove hollow surfaces and unseen surfaces from the object model; The 3D printing file generation module is used to convert the object model with blocks as the basic unit into a 3D printing file. The conversion process does not require verification of the printability of the model. The sending module is used to send the 3D printing file to the 3D printer for printing.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The 3D model acquisition module is specifically used for: Based on the user's selection, retrieve the object model selected by the user, which uses blocks as the basic unit, from the predetermined application scenario.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The 3D model acquisition module is specifically used for: The user selects to obtain a 3D object based on blocks from a block-based 3D software application as the object model based on blocks.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The device further includes: The first 3D model processing module is used to add supports to the object model, which is based on blocks.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device further includes: The third 3D model processing module is used to adjust the size ratio of the object model to a size ratio that can be printed in one go.

11. A 3D printing device, characterized in that, The 3D printing equipment includes: Processor and memory; The memory is used to store program code, and the processor calls the program code in the memory to perform the following operations: A planar model or other 3D model based on non-block units is converted into a model based on blocks to obtain an object model based on blocks, wherein the blocks are equilateral cubes; hollow faces and unseen faces are removed from the object model; the object model based on blocks is converted into a 3D printing file, and the printability of the model is not verified during the conversion process; the 3D printing file is sent to a 3D printer for printing.

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