Hi everyone - I’m doing some prototyping on a part I’m designing. The final part will take up nearly the entire build plate, but for a test print, I’m using a negative modifier to remove 80% of the part, leaving only a sliver to print. The problem is that once sliced, the part left to be printed is way over on the edge of the build plate, and I’d rather it be in the center if possible. If I position it where the edge i want printed is in the middle, it of course complains that part of the file is off the build plate and won’t let me slice, even though it’s all being removed with the negative modifier. Any ideas on how to get it to cut the piece and still center it?
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Could it be that you have a brim or skirt set for around the hole part that steps out of the build plate?
Sorry I am short of time, but hopefully I can help:
Instead of using negative modifiers, just load the full part as it is. Then rotate it (Usually ±90 degrees) around the x or y axis and use the z cut tool to cut the part in half. Only keep the part you want. Reverse the initial rotation and the object is now cut on one side.
Redo the steps for all 4 sides.
Edit: also this might help (dont know, if it’s an beta option): https://help.prusa3d.com/article/cut-tool_1779
Thank you the cut tool worked perfectly! I don’t know how I missed that
Glad i could help!
Stop using the slicer for part modification would be my advice. Sure, it CAN be done - but you’re running into the reason most people don’t.
Most slicers will allow you to drop the part below the build plate and cut that area off though. That’s about the extent that I would trust the slicer to modify it.
I second the other comment it’s best not to handle it in slicers.
Rather, I’d suck it into your favorite modeling software, then create a sketch with a cube that fills the space you want to cut (so one face is the cut-plane and the rest of the part is inside the cube.)
From there, duplicate the part you’re trying to print and use the cube to “intersect” the part- which makes it so that copy, only the stuff inside the cube exists. On the duplicate, you can then use “cut” to remove the bits you just created.
In Fusion 360, the function your looking for is “combine”, you don’t need to duplicate the mesh part just toggle “keep tools” (I’d also suggest “new component” as well.)
While you’re in there… I would create a sketch off the net cut plane (either side,) and then create registration posts. Shallow is just fine, but you want a something tapering to a solid point so that as you’re gluing up, it aligns itself. (A shallow pyramid also works, whatever angle youre printer can handle overhangs is fine.)
Inside, you’re joining the extrusion the other you’re cutting (and creating a void.)
OpenSCAD is particularly good for jobs like this. You can import an stl and do an intersection with a “cube” to get the part you want.
OpenSCAD is script based, so does have a little bit of a learning curve, but it’s an excellent tool to have in your toolbox.
