u/Dear_Boat_1426

I’m trying to 3D print an architectural dome model made from triangular panels. Original model was done in SketchUp, i thickened the walls in Rhino so it could actually print now an average thickness of 3.2mm.

The setup for printing is - PLA (Basic or Plus), Bambu - P1S, Using Bambu Studio to Slice.

Problems,

• some meshes/faces are disconnected or non-manifold,
• automatic repair tools keep “fixing” the model by filling in intentional openings/panels,
• Bambu Studio shows some panels missing/not generating toolpaths,
• but using repair closes skylights and other gaps that are meant to stay open.

Things I already tried,

• reversing faces in SketchUp,
• Intersect Faces (partially),
• checking normals,
• Meshmixer repair,
• Bambu Studio repair,

The model is around 20cm long and highly triangulated. I’m running out of time and just need the fastest way to get a printable result without destroying the openings/design.

Main question. What is the best emergency fix here?

• Make Solid in Meshmixer?
• Ignore manifold errors and slice anyway?
• Increase wall thickness in slicer?
• Simplify geometry with a tool?
• Another repair tool?

Any help massively appreciated.