We've spent the first section of this chapter learning how to optimize what we can see of the model. In the printing section of this chapter, we're going to learn how to optimize what we can't see of the model.
When we 3D print a model, we have the option of controlling how solid the interior will be and what kind of structure will fill it. How we choose between the options is easily determined by answering the following questions:
Will it need to be structurally strong? If it's going to be used as a mechanical part or an item that will be heavily handled, then it does.
Will it be a prototype? If it's a temporary object for examination purposes or strictly for display, then a fragile form may suffice.
Depending on the use of a model, you'll have to decide how the object falls within these two extremes. Most of the models that we'll print in the following recipes will be considered a prototype. We'll learn how to make them economical and sufficiently strong for our purposes. We'll...