Hi Shapeways,
Could you support composite models, please?
My 3D puzzles have many identical pieces. Now I have to include many identical copies in the STL, which significantly increases the triangle count. In order to stay below the 500.000 triangle limit, I have to reduce resolution. Unfortunately, even a slight reduction in the number of triangles means a significant deterioration of resolution.
My Slice Kilominx design (see below) illustrates the optimization problem.
Res: 0.02 mm --> 1.185000 triangles
Res: 0.05 mm --> 736000 triangles
Res: 0.10 mm --> 629000 triangles
Ideally, my puzzles require a 0.02 mm resolution. I had to revert to 0.15 mm resolution to make the design fit within the 500.000 triangle limit.
https://www.shapeways.com/model/49957/slice_kilominx.html
I am afraid that the design doesn't work with this poor resolution.
I could try and move the problem to my customers and scatter the pieces around my shop page. It would then be up to my customers to collect and order the right types and numbers of pieces. This is not something that my customers would appreciate, which is why I always collect composite designs in a single STL.
So can you help me solve this problem, and add the option of offering composite models, please?
Thank you!
Oskar