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Common terms

The small flat surfaces that make up a 3D model. Most 3D models are built from thousands or millions of triangles. More polygons = more detail, but also larger files.
A corner point where polygon edges meet. Three vertices define one triangle. Polygon count and vertex count are both measures of model complexity.
The direction each surface faces. Normals tell the printer (and the viewer) which side is the outside and which is the inside. Flipped normals make surfaces appear inside-out.
Geometry that doesn’t form a proper solid. Examples: edges shared by more than two faces, surfaces with zero thickness, or loose edges floating in space. Non-manifold geometry causes printing failures.
How thick the walls of your model are. Thin walls may break during printing or post-processing. Different printers have different minimum wall thickness requirements.
Creating an empty interior inside a model, leaving only a shell of specified thickness. Saves material and reduces cost, especially for large prints.
Parts of a model that extend outward without support from below, like the brim of a hat. Overhangs beyond a certain angle (usually 45°) may need support structures during printing.
The gap between parts that need to move or fit together. Without enough clearance, parts may fuse together during printing.
A repeating geometric pattern used to fill the interior of a model. Lattices save material while maintaining strength. Common patterns include cubic grids and gyroid surfaces.
A type of smooth, continuously curved surface that repeats in all directions. Gyroids are strong for their weight and produce beautiful organic-looking internal structures.
The system that maps a 2D image (texture) onto a 3D surface. Think of it like gift-wrapping: the UV map tells the software how to wrap the flat image around the 3D shape.
A 2D image applied to the surface of a 3D model to give it color and detail. Textures can include color, surface detail (bumps), and material properties (shiny vs. matte).
The collection of polygons (triangles) that form the surface of a 3D model. When we say “mesh repair,” we mean fixing the polygon surface so it’s suitable for printing.
A separate, disconnected piece of geometry within a model. A single model might have multiple shells — for example, a character model might have separate shells for the body, hair, and clothing.
Software that converts a 3D model into instructions (G-code) for a 3D printer. The slicer “slices” the model into thin horizontal layers. Popular slicers include Cura, PrusaSlicer, and ChiTuBox.
Stereolithography file format. The most common format for 3D printing. Contains only geometry — no colors, textures, or materials.
Wavefront OBJ file format. Supports geometry, textures, materials, and colors. Widely used for full-color 3D printing.
3D Manufacturing Format. A modern format designed specifically for 3D printing. Supports colors, materials, and multiple objects in a single file.

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Printer types

The most common type of 3D printer. Melts plastic filament and deposits it layer by layer. Affordable, wide material selection. Typical minimum wall thickness: 1.0–1.5 mm.
Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin layer by layer. Produces very fine detail. Typical minimum wall thickness: 0.5–1.0 mm.
Uses a laser to fuse powder material. No support structures needed. Good for functional parts. Typical minimum wall thickness: 0.7–1.0 mm.
HP’s industrial powder-based printing technology. Fast, accurate, good surface finish. Typical minimum wall thickness: 0.5–1.0 mm.
Full-color 3D printing using inkjet technology. Used by Mimaki and Stratasys printers. Produces photorealistic color models. Typical minimum wall thickness: 0.7–1.0 mm.