Composite models

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

Oh yes, working in pretty much the same field as you do I am also constantly struggling with the 500k limit. A way to compose different files into an assembly would be great.

By the way Oskar, I just discovered the function ReduceMesh in Rhino, which allows you to enter a number of triangles to reduce the mesh to. That way you can easily hit the 500k limit spot on.

I've been thinking about, for the future, to sell my products on a separate site, have them shipped to me, I'll perform post processing, then ship them off to the final customer. Always an idea. If you can, have a supply of product on hand to ship out when ordered.

Youknowwho4eva,

i've been thinking about it too,
but the other side of the story is that you order some models, but you won't be really sure everything is going to be sold!

The problem with that is you pay twice for shipping .. once embedded into the shapeways price, and second when you ship. Not to mention that you will also have to process payments yourself.

-Whystler

Yes, double the shipping. But you also make sure when your customer gets your product, it is as you intended it to be. And as far as having an at home inventory. That's why you wait till you know you are moving product. I would wait till I was selling 5 of something a month before I'd do that.

Offering a means of packaging several models into one ITEM to sell would be wonderful. Having Web DB Programming in my background, I can say that it isn't that hard.

You create an item to sell that doesn't have a model attached.
Then add each model that is a part of it TO that item.
Then add your profit on top.
Voila!

I have the same problem. I use the description to communicate to potential buyers that, in order to get one complete puzzle, they need so many parts of type A and so many parts of type B. But this proves hard. I would be very sorry if people spend money on incomplete, so worthless, puzzles! I fear it happened already.
So please develop a tool to combine different parts in predefined amounts, so puzzles can only be ordered in complete packages!
Theo

I'm bumping this post because I would really like to see this implemented.

There is one thing that worries me: what about the $1.50 fixed cost for WSF? Putting many solid bodies into one file sort of bypasses this. If you were allowed to compose many models into one, how would the pricing work out. Most puzzles have many pieces, having to pay an extra $1.50 per piece would make it very unattractive for me. That would most likely make me ignore the feature altogether and do it the old fashioned way.

I don't think it's $1.50 per piece. It's $1.50 per print, however many pieces there might be. SW folks -- correct?

Definitely not. If you order two separate WSF models you pay the $1.50 fee twice. However if the contents of the two models are combined into one model (containing two solid bodies) you only pay the fee once.
With these puzzles there are often hundreds of pieces and I'm concerned that even if an assembly function is made within Shapeways it won't be used because it will force the $1.50 fee for every part, making it too expensive compared to the time it takes to make a composite model.

I usually offer my 3d puzzles as composite and it does reduce quality a whole lot. I have to agree with Oskar.

I have to HEARTILY second the request for composite models. I have many puzzles that take 8 or 9 different uploads put together.

My shop is a complete cluttered mess because of this.

It would be so wonderful to have a way to group models into a composite for ordering and sales!

Please?

Bump on this. What they said.

THANK YOU! This is fantastic news. I wish there were some way I could help out. Aside from being patient, of course.

I am patiently bumping this post too.



Setting up models in "groups" would be pretty sweet. Especially cus I have some ideas for parts that would have something made in Sandstone, something in W Detail and/or something in WSF.

yup yup

SW Just keeps getting better doesnt it?

A "little" more patient means waiting 2 years? Please add this ability. Everyone that wants it PLEASE vote for it here:

Support Composite Models

Thanks,
Carl

I've raised the idea to create a simple form of item coupling.

I've learned from my discussions that:
- it's important for shapeways to have a connected set of items
(that reduces the handling costs)

Therefore we discussed also sprues very intensively.

My idea is to have an item connected to a sprue with an anchor on one side.
Thus placing two items on the left or right anchor position would make it easy to connect (when placed in the printing area but could also be done automatically)

Here's a picture how that may look like.


This feature could be set during upload. Afterwards shapeway's can enable:
- storing the anchor position for internal usage
- reduce the handling costs for items using this feature

Woody64

Hi Woody,

looks like a interesting idea. Would be glad, if the can realize something similar.

Greetings
Michael