3D Printed Part Preview Using Voxel Surface Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing systems provide static 2D thumbnails for user preview, which can be inaccurate due to missing non-essential features and limited perspective, leading to user dissatisfaction and inconsistencies between preview and printed parts.
Innovation Solution
Generating a 3D preview by converting print file data into a volumetric representation of voxels, identifying and updating data for visible surfaces, and creating a rotatable 3D preview that accurately represents the printed part's appearance, including color and texture, within the 3D printing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a static 2D thumbnail is provided for preview, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of the preview are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a 3D preview by generating a volumetric representation that copies the essential visual properties (color, texture, shape) of the final printed part. This virtual copy allows users to inspect the part from multiple angles and validate the print file without physically printing it, thereby improving preview accuracy while keeping the physical device complexity manageable through software-based rendering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a 2D thumbnail preview to a 3D volumetric preview, adding the depth dimension to the preview representation. This dimensional enhancement allows users to view the part from multiple perspectives (front, back, side views, and rotated angles), significantly improving measurement precision and preview reliability without requiring complex hardware modifications.
2Reliability
If a 3D preview with multiple perspectives is generated, then the reliability and user satisfaction are improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing by generating the volumetric preview representation before the actual printing process. The preview is created by processing the print file data into a voxel-based 3D model that can be rendered from any angle, allowing users to validate the design and make corrections beforehand, thus ensuring reliability while managing time through pre-computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a balanced approach by generating a volumetric preview that includes essential visual properties (color, texture, shape) but may not include all possible details or post-processing effects. This partial action provides sufficient reliability for user validation without requiring excessive computational resources and time for complete simulation of all printing stages.
3Measurement precision
If color and texture information is included in the preview, then the measurement precision is improved, but the data processing complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively processing and storing color and texture information only for the visible surfaces of the 3D preview, rather than for the entire volumetric data set. This approach improves appearance validation accuracy by providing realistic visual feedback while reducing data processing complexity and storage requirements by focusing computational resources on surface properties that are actually visible to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a representation of a volume of a part to be printed by an additive manufacturing system is generated, where the representation depicts a plurality of voxels. A plurality of slices of the representation are generated. Each slice relates to a plurality of voxels within a first plane. A first process is performed in respect of a slice of the plurality of slices, wherein in the first process at least one voxel that has a predetermined colour and is located on a predetermined surface of the part is identified and a data file is updated to include data representative of the identified at least one voxel. The first process is repeated in respect of another slice. A three-dimensional preview of the part to be printed is generated based on the data file.