If BuildBee prevents you from printing a model or it doesn't print properly, there may be an issue with how the model was created. Usually, you are able to fix these bad models by 'repairing' them using either Microsoft 3D Builder or Netfabb Online Service.
Microsoft 3D Builder (Windows only)
3D Builder is a free application available for Windows users (version 8.1 or higher) that allows you to create and edit 3D models using a range of simple, yet powerful tools. Unfortunately, 3D Builder is not available for Mac users.
- Open 3D Builder and create a new scene.
- Click on 'Add', select 'Load object' and choose the model that needs repairing.
- Click 'Import model' to start working with your file.
- If your model needs repairing, it will have a red outline and a notification as seen below. Click on the notification to instantly repair your model.
- Once repaired, make sure you click on the 'save' icon at the top right corner of the application. This will overwrite the same file you uploaded instead of creating a new file, so when you go to upload to BuildBee again, choose the same file.
3MF is the default save format, so make sure the STL file format is selected when saving.
Netfabb Online Service
Netfabb is a free online tool that allows you to upload your STL files and re-download a repaired version. We recommend this tool for Mac users as an alternative to 3D Builder.
- Login with your Autodesk account, which will be the same as your TinkerCAD login.
- Click 'Upload 3D model' and choose the STL file that needs repairing.
- Once the file has finished processing, click on 'Download' to receive a fixed version of your file. Re-upload to BuildBee.
Related Articles
How to fix and avoid common 3D model issues
If your printer does something unexpected during a print, it is usually due to the design of the model you are trying to print. You should double check the following things before you print a downloaded model or save your design as an STL and attempt ...
Reducing file size - Face count
BuildBee has a limit of 30MB for STL files to avoid long wait times for slicing. Usually, files this large are either physically too big for the printer to produce or the detail (face count) is too high. You can reduce it easily by using a free ...
Making a 3D model
This article will cover the basics of creating 3D models within TinkerCAD. For help with other features and design tips, we may have another article covering the issue, otherwise refer to TinkerCAD lessons or support. First, you must create an ...
3D print troubleshooting guide
Looking to improve the quality of your 3D printed models, but not sure where to start? Most of the time these issues are easy to fix and don’t require messing around with print settings. We have compiled a list of some common issues that can happen ...
Resizing/scaling 3D models
This article will cover the basics of creating 3D models within TinkerCAD. For help with other features and design tips, we may have another article covering the issue, otherwise refer to TinkerCAD lessons or support. Whether you are designing your ...