Blender and exported .obj files exceeding 2GB even after decimation & limited dissolve

[amerioca]

In the last couple of months I familiarized myself with blender, which made me very proud, that I was able to come up with a complex model which is supposed to be used for a 3D crystal engraving business. Naturally, as I am not a pro, I most likely used a lot of walk arounds and have probably used design methods, any pro would have done simpler, easier and more effective. But for me, optically I am happy with it.

However it seems to be to large for my purposes as I intent to use it for a 3D crystal engraving where the .obj file is converted into a point cloud by another software and this would be to large of a file.

It is a very complex and detailed model of a village in Austria and so far it looks good but it just got to large. The blender file is about 920MB with compressed storage while the exported .obj file is 2.4GB and all that without any textures. During the process I have decimated the model to the limits and also applied various limited dissolve operations as well as I have resized it.

My question would be, what else can I do to get this model smaller in size and ist it normal for complex models like this to blow up to that poinnt? The point cloud conversion software rejects it most likely because of the size.

The attached pic of the model is some 2 weeks old and by now there is more details like trees, boats etc in the model.

The attached pic was taken before I applied the decimate modifier and limited dissolve.

Tnx a lot in advance for your help

[RCole]

Are all of the buildings hollow? They will not need to be (unless you intend to build it large enough to look into the buildings). Solid blocks will take a lot less work and give you a lot fewer points.

Other than that, it’s difficult to say without looking at the model itself.

[amerioca]

Tnx a lot for your input Robert. In the meantime, I was able to figure out some objects (100s of trees) which took a lot of space and I am down to 250MB on the .obj model and 85MB on the blender model. However, I tried various programs and found out that the archtecture is not really solid for printing. I will not be able to eliminate all gaps (and don`t really have to for my purposes), the blender analysis is giving me, but I uploaded it into 123Design in order to find out, how the point cloud would look. And you are right, most objects are hollow. No my question: How do I convert the model or individual meshes from hollow to solid in blender?Even after google research, I seem to be unable to find a solution here. Could you give me a hint?

Tnx for your support in advance.

[RCole]

I don’t see an easy way to do that. It would be an interesting macro programming problem to leave space for windows and door, but frankly, I think it would take longer to program than to go through and modify each building by hand (which is certainly not quick and easy).

Have you tried any of the Blender forums? My favorites are Blender World (http://blenderworld.forumotion.com/) or Blender Artists (https://blenderartists.org/forum/).

[amerioca]

Tnx a lot for all your help, Robert. I gotta google it agsin as I am don’t even know the process with only one building. I am only working eith blender a couple of months. Have posted something on blenderworld. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

[amerioca]

Tnx Robert. I will try to post something there. I will try to laser the Model by the end of this week and see how it comes out, if at all. We are just getting a new machine with new software. In the old software, the point cloud recognized the faces/edges and that way in glass the hollow surfaces were covered. Tnx for all your help here.

[Stephen_Jones]

It does look like a lot of your house models are copies or exactly the same as others in the scene. their is nothing wrong in this apart from the fact that if they are copied and pasted into the scene they will take up vastly more data reqirement than making them into an array or in some software called a pattern. the solids are recreated from a file on the fly anyway, with most software. do you find your model loads quick but is very large in file size. this is basic 3d logic, just as you make your solid and allow it to render on the fly, so it does with the creation of the scene, blender would definatly NOT be my choice of software to use for this project as its not built with the same controls as for recreation of models on the fly. choose a software that allows you to “pattern” the object to build the scene and you will find your file sizes shrinking rapidly. I know you are excited about your creation, but if you learned the fundementals of several software packages first before choosing one to start this epic first, you would have saved yourself the heartache of picking it to bits now to get anything useful out of it. I do run courses in webinar studies of 3d designing that cover software selection, that doesn’t have to cost you a fortune in licencing, or look at some free online recourses like you tube to find tuition in this dark art. StevetheBuddistXXX

[amerioca]

Tnx a lot for having a closed look at it and for your input. And yes, you are right. I should have used the array modifier, which I am currently doing wherever applicable and possible. I was able to bring the size down to about 80mb blender and 230mb .obj format by eliminating some parts, (about 150 trees nested into the mountains - not on the attached pic) where again I made the mistake to duplicate relatively large .obj imports instead of using the array modifier. The reason, I am using blender is simply that I am still a rookie and it was the first software I could get my hands on. I started to look into it as we are using our models for a 3d crystal engraving business, but the market here at our location purely defines itself by the product design.

We usually outsource complexer jobs to Asia but as for this specific model, all I got in return was not usable. So I started blender, as it is the only modeling software I am at least familiar with on the very bottom base.

Right now I am trying to first ammend the model as much as possible by eliminating duplicates with arrays and then to sort of fix it with netfabb, trying to get it water proof. I have not lasered it yet, but guess I would also have to turn most objects from hollow to solid (not sure about it though), where I would face another problem, because I have no earthly idea on how to do that and even online, there is very little information available, which I am able to process.

I would certainly be interested to hear more about your courses. Tnx again for your valuable input.

[Stephen_Jones]

Please search ACIS TECH 3D LTD or blueelephantedit.com on 3d hubs ,facebook or internet. The need worldwide for tuition in a low tech environment is so strong at the moment. I have been in 3d for 30 years and CNC for 40 years. 3d software is still a computer language and all the same rules apply. it is however easier to pick up than machine programming because of its visual nature. this is why I train before offering a manufacturing product. to give you the best and most cost effective solution for your business as it grows. Cheers StevetheBuddistXXX ACIS TECH 3D LTD