Model Designer SOP

1. Import scan STL file(s) into Blender
2. Orient model in object viewer by rotating it and moving it along the X, Y, and Z axes
   1. Make sure the midline of the model(s) are aligned with both the Y axis and Z axis by rotating it and moving it along the X axis
   2. If there is an upper and lower model and articulation is required, ensure that the X axis goes through the occlusal plane of the models
3. If articulation will be required, align the models by scrolling to the ‘Aligning Scans’ section of the ‘Models’ menu, which can be accessed by pressing ‘N’ on the keyboard to bring up the right side menu
   1. Ensure that only the upper model is selected, then select ‘Enter Target’ from the right side menu
   2. Next, ensure only the lower model is selected, then select ‘Name Opposing’ from the menu
   3. Once the models have been named correctly, select ‘Link Flip’ from the menu
   4. Now you will see the lower model model has been hidden, and you will be looking at the upper model with the top. Position your mouse over the highest cusp tip of the upper molar and shift right click to place the cursor
   5. Select ‘Four Points’ from the menu or press ‘P’ on the keyboard to place a red dot at the position of the cursor
      1. These points are to be placed in a trapezoidal fashion to construct a hypothetical occlusal plane to help blender best position the model on the X, Y, and Z axes. Use no more and no less than four points
      2. Place your next three points by positioning the cursor over the tips of the canines and the highest tip of the other molar, then select ‘Align’ from the menu
      3. The models are now aligned if everything was done correctly, however you may need to rotate the scans. You can do this using ‘X’, ‘Y’, or ‘Z’ rotation buttons under the ‘Align’ button in the menu, or by pressing ‘R’ on your keyboard along with the corresponding axis
4. If your scan(s) need to be cleaned up around their edges, you may do so by scrolling to the ‘Arch Cutting Tool’ section of the right side menu
   1. Select the model you wish to work on, then shift right-click to place your cursor where you would like to begin the line
   2. Select ‘Arch Cut’ from the menu, you will notice a blue line has formed with two points starting from where you place your cursor
   3. Press ‘E’ on your keyboard and left-click to place your next point, alternatively you can select ‘Extrude’ from the menu and left-click to place your points around the model
      1. When you get back to where you started, select ‘Fuse’ from the menu to fuse the line into one solid line. Alternatively, you can select the two points by shift left-clicking them and pressing ‘F’ on the keyboard
      2. If you wish to edit any the positions of any of the points, you can select them by left-clicking them and pressing ‘G’ on the keyboard to move them
   4. Once you are satisfied with the line, go back to the right side menu and select ‘Trim’ from the ‘Arch Cutting Tool’ section
      1. You should be able to notice two different color meshes at this stage
      2. Select a point on the mesh you want to keep by left-clicking it
   5. Select ‘Clean’ from the menu, this should leave you with a dental model with a nice smooth edge if done correctly
5. If you notice any holes in your model(s), it is important to close them up before you attempt to add a base
   1. Navigate back to the right side menu and scroll down to the ‘Fill Holes’ button. Make sure your model is selected
      1. By using the ‘Fill Holes’ button Blender will automatically attempt to fill any gaps in your mesh
      2. You may have to use it multiple times, or in combination with the ‘Patch’ tool to ensure all holes are filled
   2. Once you are satisfied that all holes have been filled, select ‘Sculpt Object’ from the menu. Make sure your model is selected for this to work
      1. You can select the eyedropper icon from the menu to select a portion of the mesh you wish to mimic the geometry of when smoothing
      2. After this, you will be able to smooth the areas filled by mousing over them and left-clicking
      3. Once done, select ‘Exit’ from the menu next to the ‘Sculpt Object’ and eyedropper icon to finalize the sculpting process
6. Next you will need to put a base on your model. This is important for printing and/or articulation of models for further CAD work such as occlusal splints
   1. Navigate to the right side menu and scroll down to the ‘Making Bases’ section
      1. Here you will see four yellow buttons: ‘Upper Base’ ‘With Border’ and ‘Lower Base’ ‘With Border’
      2. Depending on the arch you are working on, you will either select ‘Upper Base’ or ‘Lower Base’
   2. With your model selected, click the base button that corresponds to the arch you are working on
      1. This will automatically create a solid base for your model, and you may adjust the vertical scale by using either the up and down arrows in the menu or manually by selecting the ‘Scale Edit’ button in the menu
   3. If you wish to make your base hollow, navigate back to the menu and scroll down to the ‘Hollowing Tools’ section
      1. Here you will see 6 pink buttons: ‘Make Hollow’ ‘Thickness’ ‘Honey Solid’ ‘Honey Vented’ ‘Gyroid’ and ‘Hollow’
      2. With your model selected, first select ‘Make Hollow’ from the menu. This action hollows out the interior of the base
      3. Next, you may adjust the thickness of the wall of the base or you can move on to the design of the now hollow base
      4. Select either ‘Honey Solid’, ‘Honey Vented’, ‘Gyroid’ or ‘Hollow’ from the menu, then adjust the vertical scale using the Z axis arrow in the object viewer
      5. Once satisfied, select ‘Apply’ from the menu. Your base has been successfully constructed
7. The model(s) are now ready for printing or further CAD work