Integrated incremental slicing for 3D printed object creation

Abstract

Advances in hardware for 3D printing have made personal fabrication more accessible for many new users. However, the separation of 3D modeling and 3D slicing software remains a barrier for new users in the design stage. This separation requires users to repeatedly export their model from their modeling software, to the slicing software whenever changes are made. 3D slicers are not optimized for repeatedly slicing the same model when users change settings, or for slicing the same model with small modifications. For most 3D slicing software, any change requires reslicing the entire model, adding time to every design iteration. Past work has explored slicing optimization through information reuse for custom models based on a template model using mesh intersections. Here, we present an optimized slicing system Slice++, based on integrated incremental modeling and slicing system. By storing and reusing past computation, we are able to speed up slicing times for most setting changes. By tracking the location of user edits in the modeling software, we are able to constrain new computation to the modified region, and reuse computation from unchanged areas. With a faster integrated slicing system, we allow users to efficiently view essential print information during the modeling stage, streamlining the design pipeline.