Method and apparatus for data manipulation and system control in a selective deposition modeling system

摘要

A variety of support structures and build styles for use in rapid prototyping and manufacturing systems are described wherein particular emphasis is given to thermal stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, and selective deposition modeling systems, and wherein a 3D modeling system is presented which uses multijet dispensing and a single material for both object and support formation. Specifically described is the generation of data relating to the provision of support regions for objects formed on a layer-by-layer basis in which a Boolean difference (74) operation is used in comparing the extent of successive layers.