What's New in Meshmixer 2016 Portable? A Review of the Latest Features and Improvements
New Meshmixer 2016 Portable: A Powerful Tool for 3D Printing
If you are looking for a versatile and easy-to-use software for working with triangle meshes, you might want to check out Meshmixer. Meshmixer is a state-of-the-art tool that can help you clean up a 3D scan, do some 3D printing, or design an object that fits something else. It has a wide range of features that allow you to mix, sculpt, solidify, pattern, hollow, support, remesh, smooth, deform, cut, mirror, extrude, offset, project, measure, and analyze your mesh models. In this article, we will introduce you to Meshmixer 2016 Portable, a new version of Meshmixer that does not require installation and can run on any Windows computer with a USB drive. We will also show you how to download and use this powerful tool for your 3D printing projects.
New Meshmixer 2016 Portable
Features of Meshmixer 2016 Portable
Meshmixer has been around since 2009 and has been constantly updated with new features and improvements. The latest version of Meshmixer is Meshmixer 2016 Portable, which was released in January 2016. This version has some new features that make it even more useful for 3D printing enthusiasts. Here are some of the main features of Meshmixer 2016 Portable:
Drag-and-Drop Mesh Mixing
One of the most fun and creative features of Meshmixer is the ability to mix different meshes together. You can simply drag and drop mesh parts from the library or from your own files and combine them with your model. You can also use the Boolean tool to add, subtract, or intersect meshes. You can create amazing hybrid models by mixing different animals, humans, robots, or anything else you can imagine.
3D Sculpting and Surface Stamping
If you want to add some details or textures to your model, you can use the sculpting tools in Meshmixer. You can use brushes to sculpt, smooth, inflate, pinch, crease, flatten, or grab your mesh. You can also use stamps to apply patterns or images to your surface. You can adjust the size, strength, and orientation of the brushes and stamps to suit your needs. You can also import your own stamps from image files.
Robust Convert-to-Solid for 3D Printing
One of the most important features of Meshmixer for 3D printing is the ability to convert your mesh model into a solid object. This is necessary for printing because most 3D printers require solid models with no holes, gaps, or overlaps. Meshmixer has a robust convert-to-solid tool that can automatically fix any issues with your mesh and generate a watertight solid. You can also adjust the accuracy, resolution, and thickness of the solid conversion.
3D Patterns and Lattices
If you want to add some style or functionality to your model, you can use the pattern and lattice tools in Meshmixer. You can apply 3D patterns to your model that wrap around its surface or cut through it. You can choose from various preset patterns or create your own custom ones. You can also create lattices that fill the interior of your model with a grid-like structure. This can help reduce the weight and material usage of your model while maintaining its strength.
Hollowing and Support Structures
Another way to optimize your model for 3D printing is to hollow it out and add support structures. Hollowing out your model can save material and printing time while reducing warping and shrinking. You can use the hollow tool in Meshmixer to create a cavity inside your model with a specified wall thickness. You can also add holes to allow for drainage or ventilation. Support structures are needed for models that have overhangs or bridges that cannot be printed without support. You can use the support generator in Meshmixer to automatically create supports for your model based on various parameters such as angle, density, and contact points.
Advanced Selection and Remeshing Tools
If you need to edit or modify specific parts of your model, you can use the selection and remeshing tools in Meshmixer. You can select parts of your mesh using brushes, lassos, face groups, or by painting on the surface. You can then perform various operations on the selected parts such as deleting, duplicating, moving, scaling, rotating, smoothing, or transforming them. You can also remesh your selected parts using different algorithms such as quadric edge collapse decimation, adaptive edge length preservation, uniform clustering, or Poisson surface reconstruction.
Mesh Smoothing and Deformations
If you want to improve the appearance or shape of your model, you can use the smoothing and deformation tools in Meshmixer. You can smooth out any rough or jagged edges on your mesh using various filters such as Laplacian smooth, HC smooth, Taubin smooth, or bilateral smooth. You can also deform your mesh using tools such as twist, bend, taper, inflate, shear, or bulge.
Hole Filling and Repairing
If you have any holes or defects in your mesh that need to be fixed before printing, you can use the hole filling and repairing tools in Meshmixer. You can fill any holes in your mesh using different methods such as minimal fill, flat fill, smooth fill, sharp fill, or bridge fill. You can also repair any cracks, gaps, overlaps, or inverted faces on your mesh using tools such as make solid, close cracks, separate shells, flip normals, or align normals.
Plane Cuts, Mirroring, and Booleans
If you want to cut or split your model into smaller pieces for printing or editing purposes , you can use the plane cut, mirroring, and boolean tools in Meshmixer. You can cut your mesh along a plane using different modes such as slice, discard half, or split. You can also mirror your mesh along an axis or a plane to create symmetrical models. You can also use boolean operations to combine or subtract meshes using different modes such as union, difference, or intersection.
Extrusions, Offset Surfaces, and Projections
If you want to create new shapes or features on your model, you can use the extrusion, offset surface, and projection tools in Meshmixer. You can extrude parts of your mesh along a normal or a direction to create new faces or volumes. You can also offset the surface of your mesh by a distance to create a shell or a cushion. You can also project parts of your mesh onto another mesh or a plane to create new shapes or contours.
Interior Tubes and Channels
If you want to create hollow tubes or channels inside your model for various purposes such as wiring, piping, or ventilation, you can use the interior tube and channel tools in Meshmixer. You can create tubes or channels by selecting two points on the surface of your model and specifying the diameter and the path of the tube or channel. You can also adjust the smoothness and the clearance of the tube or channel.
Precise 3D Positioning and Alignment
If you want to position or align your model precisely in 3D space, you can use the positioning and alignment tools in Meshmixer. You can position your model using different modes such as world, object, view, or local. You can also align your model with another model or a plane using different methods such as center, origin, bounding box, or custom points.
3D Measurements and Analysis
If you want to measure or analyze your model for 3D printing purposes, you can use the measurement and analysis tools in Meshmixer. You can measure the dimensions, volume, surface area, mass, center of mass, and inertia tensor of your model. You can also analyze the stability, strength, thickness, overhangs, printability, and orientation of your model. You can also generate reports and export them as PDF files.
Benefits of Meshmixer 2016 Portable
Meshmixer 2016 Portable is not only a powerful tool for 3D printing, but also a convenient one. Here are some of the benefits of using Meshmixer 2016 Portable:
No Installation Required
One of the main advantages of Meshmixer 2016 Portable is that it does not require installation on your computer. You can simply download the zip file from the Meshmixer website or from Fusion 360 and extract it to a folder of your choice. You can then run the Meshmixer.exe file to launch the program. This means that you can use Meshmixer 2016 Portable on any Windows computer without having to install anything.
Compatible with Windows 7 or Later
Another benefit of Meshmixer 2016 Portable is that it is compatible with Windows 7 or later operating systems. This means that you can use Meshmixer 2016 Portable on most Windows computers without having to worry about compatibility issues. You can also use Meshmixer 2016 Portable on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.
Free to Download and Use
A third benefit of Meshmixer 2016 Portable is that it is free to download and use for personal or commercial purposes. You do not have to pay anything to use this amazing tool for your 3D printing projects. You can also share it with your friends or colleagues without any restrictions.
Decoupled from Autodesk 123D
A fourth benefit of Meshmixer 2016 Portable is that it is decoupled from Autodesk 123D, which was discontinued in March 2017. This means that you do not have to rely on Autodesk 123D for accessing Meshmixer features or files. You can use Meshmixer 2016 Portable independently from Autodesk 123D and enjoy its full functionality.
Supports Multiple File Formats
A fifth benefit of Meshmixer 2016 Portable is that it supports multiple file formats for importing and exporting mesh models. You can import files in formats such as STL, OBJ, PLY, OFF, MIX, AMF, FBX, WRL (VRML), DAE (Collada), DXF (AutoCAD), MGX (ZCorp), ZTL (ZBrush), XYZ (XYZRGB), PTX (Leica), ASC (ASCII), and PCD (Point Cloud). You can also export files in formats such as STL, OBJ, PLY, OFF, MIX, AMF, FBX, WRL (VRML), DAE (Collada), DXF (AutoCAD), MGX (ZCorp), ZTL (ZBrush), XYZ (XYZRGB), PTX (Leica), ASC (ASCII), and PCD (Point Cloud). This means that you can work with various types of mesh models and 3D printers without any hassle.
How to Download and Use Meshmixer 2016 Portable
Now that you know the features and benefits of Meshmixer 2016 Portable, you might be wondering how to download and use it. Here are the steps to follow:
Download from Meshmixer Website or Fusion 360
The first step is to download the zip file of Meshmixer 2016 Portable from the Meshmixer website or from Fusion 360. You can go to http://www.meshmixer.com/download.html and click on the "Download Meshmixer 2016 Portable" button. Alternatively, you can go to https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview and click on the "Download Free Trial" button. Then, you can select "Meshmixer" from the list of products and click on the "Download Now" button. The zip file is about 100 MB in size and should take a few minutes to download depending on your internet speed.
Extract the Zip File to a Folder of Your Choice
The second step is to extract the zip file of Meshmixer 2016 Portable to a folder of your choice. You can use any unzip software such as WinZip, WinRAR, or 7-Zip to extract the zip file. You can also use the built-in Windows Explorer to extract the zip file. Just right-click on the zip file and select "Extract All". Then, choose a destination folder for the extracted files. You can use any folder on your computer or on a USB drive. The extracted files should take up about 300 MB of space.
Run the Meshmixer.exe File to Launch the Program
The third step is to run the Meshmixer.exe file to launch the program. You can find the Meshmixer.exe file in the folder where you extracted the zip file. Just double-click on the Meshmixer.exe file and wait for a few seconds for the program to load. You should see a splash screen with the Meshmixer logo and then a welcome screen with some tips and tutorials. You can also access the help menu by clicking on the question mark icon at the top right corner of the screen.
Explore the User Interface and Tools
The fourth step is to explore the user interface and tools of Meshmixer 2016 Portable. You should see a main window with a toolbar at the top, a viewport in the center, a browser panel at the left, and a properties panel at the right. The toolbar contains icons for various tools and commands such as import, export, print, undo, redo, select, transform, edit, sculpt, stamp, make solid, pattern, hollow, support, measure, analyze, view, preferences, and help. The viewport shows your mesh model in 3D space and allows you to rotate, pan, zoom, or orbit around it using your mouse or keyboard. The browser panel shows a library of mesh parts that you can drag and drop onto your model or use as stamps. The properties panel shows various options and settings for your selected tool or command.
Import or Create a Mesh Model
The fifth step is to import or create a mesh model that you want to work with in Meshmixer 2016 Portable. You can import a mesh model from a file by clicking on the import icon in the toolbar and choosing a file from your computer or USB drive. You can also create a mesh model from scratch by clicking on the edit icon in the toolbar and choosing one of the options such as plane, sphere, cube, cylinder, torus, or b-spline. You can also use the sculpt icon in the toolbar to create a mesh model from a sphere using brushes and stamps.
Edit, Modify, or Transform Your Model
The sixth step is to edit, modify, or transform your model using the various tools and commands in Meshmixer 2016 Portable. You can use the select icon in the toolbar to select parts of your model using brushes, lassos, face groups, or by painting on the surface. You can then use the transform icon in the toolbar to move, scale, rotate, or align your selected parts. You can also use the edit icon in the toolbar to perform various operations on your selected parts such as delete, duplicate, extrude, offset, project, fill, close, separate, flip, or smooth. You can also use the sculpt icon in the toolbar to sculpt, stamp, smooth, inflate, pinch, crease, flatten, or grab your model. You can also use the stamp icon in the toolbar to apply patterns or images to your model. You can also use the make solid icon in the toolbar to convert your model into a solid object for 3D printing. You can also use the pattern icon in the toolbar to apply 3D patterns to your model. You can also use the hollow icon in the toolbar to hollow out your model and add holes for drainage or ventilation. You can also use the support icon in the toolbar to generate support structures for your model. You can also use the measure icon in the toolbar to measure the dimensions, volume, surface area, mass, center of mass, and inertia tensor of your model. You can also use the analyze icon in the toolbar to analyze the stability, strength, thickness, overhangs, printability, and orientation of your model.
Export or Print Your Model
The seventh and final step is to export or print your model using Meshmixer 2016 Portable. You can export your model to a file by clicking on the export icon in the toolbar and choosing a file format and a destination folder. You can also print your model directly from Meshmixer 2016 Portable by clicking on the print icon in the toolbar and choosing a printer and a print quality. You can also preview your print and adjust various settings such as scale, position, orientation, layer height, infill density, shell thickness, support density , and raft density. You can also generate a report and export it as a PDF file.
Conclusion
Meshmixer 2016 Portable is a powerful and convenient tool for 3D printing enthusiasts. It has a wide range of features that allow you to mix, sculpt, solidify, pattern, hollow, support, remesh, smooth, deform, cut, mirror, extrude, offset, project, measure, and analyze your mesh models. It does not require installation and can run on any Windows computer with a USB drive. It is compatible with Windows 7 or later operating systems and supports multiple file formats. It is free to download and use for personal or commercial purposes and is decoupled from Autodesk 123D. If you are looking for a versatile and easy-to-use software for working with triangle meshes, you should definitely give Meshmixer 2016 Portable a try. You can download it from the Meshmixer website or from Fusion 360 and start creating amazing 3D models for your 3D printing projects.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Meshmixer 2016 Portable:
Q: What are the system requirements for Meshmixer 2016 Portable?
A: The minimum system requirements for Meshmixer 2016 Portable are as follows:
Operating System: Windows 7 or later (32-bit or 64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core i3 or equivalent
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 or equivalent
Storage: 300 MB available space
USB Drive: At least 4 GB capacity
Q: How can I update Meshmixer 2016 Portable to the latest version?
A: To update Meshmixer 2016 Portable to the latest version, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Meshmixer website or Fusion 360 and download the latest zip file of Meshmixer 2016 Portable.
Delete the old folder of Meshmixer 2016 Portable from your computer or USB drive.
Extract the new zip file of Meshmixer 2016 Portable to a folder of your choice.
Run the Meshmixer.exe file to launch the updated program.
Q: How can I get help or support for Meshmixer 2016 Portable?
A: To get help or support for Meshmixer 2016 Portable, you can use the following resources:
The help menu in the program, which contains tips, tutorials, videos, forums, feedback, and contact information.
The online documentation at http://www.meshmixer.com/docs/index.html, which contains user guides, tutorials, videos, and FAQs.
The online forums at http://meshmixerforum.com/, which contain discussions, questions, answers, tips, tricks, and feedback from other users and developers.
The online feedback form at http://www.meshmixer.com/feedback.html, which allows you to send comments, suggestions, bug reports, or feature requests to the developers.
The email address meshmixer@autodesk.com, which allows you to contact the developers directly.
Q: How can I learn more about Meshmixer and 3D printing?
A: To learn more about Meshmixer and 3D printing, you can use the following resources:
The blog at http://meshmixer.com/blog/, which contains news, updates, tips , tricks, and examples of Meshmixer and 3D printing.
The gallery at http://meshmixer.com/gallery.html, which contains amazing 3D models created by Meshmixer users and developers.
The YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/meshmixer, which contains videos of Meshmixer features, tutorials, tips, tricks, and examples.
The online courses at https://www.udemy.com/topic/meshmixer/, which contain lectures, quizzes, assignments, and projects on Meshmixer and 3D printing.
The books at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=meshmixer&i=stripbooks, which contain guides, manuals, tutorials, and examples on Meshmixer and 3D printing.
Q: How can I share my Meshmixer models with others?
A: To share your Meshmixer models with others, you can use the following methods:
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