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NEXLOCK FIELD GUIDEDesign & parts

Use Part Designer and the 3D viewer

Understand the current layout, source geometry, connection profile and filament preview.

4 min read6 sectionsStudio 1.0.0
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01

The current designer layout

Browse parts and Import model sit beside the Part Designer heading. The Undo, Redo and draft-status row stays above the working area. On a wide screen, the designer uses three columns: part and connection controls on the left, a large 3D preview in the center, and Printer & material on the right. Narrower screens stack the panels into a scrolling layout. Printer & recipe details are inside that printer card. Advanced speed and surface controls are on the full Print Settings page.

Export & downloads is the main file action below the viewer and opens the export center for the current Designer part. Save project keeps a private named setup for your signed-in account. Save project revision adds a revision to the open project; Save as variant creates a separate project. Projects opens the collection and revision history. The filament selector and Parts Library follow the file controls. Use the viewer itself to inspect the underside.

Use Profile settings to choose a different interface accent. The theme updates the Designer controls while filament selection sets the part color.

02

Recover a model that did not finish

Wait for the current source and model to finish before saving or exporting. If the viewport reports a model error, read its message and choose Retry model when offered after resolving any stated source or setup problem. A missing NBS source is requested again; otherwise the current recipe is regenerated using a fresh geometry engine. For a local imported model whose source is missing, use Choose file to supply the source again.

A crashed or timed-out model request fails with an error rather than waiting indefinitely. Retry model is an explicit request for the current configuration. It does not replay a save, export or Companion handoff, and it does not turn the previous preview into the current validated model.

Keep your draft open while reviewing the error. If the source is unavailable or still fails validation, return to that source or setup and resolve it before preparing files. An earlier saved project remains separate from the unsaved draft.

03

Inspect the actual geometry

  1. Drag the preview to orbit and scroll to zoom. Use the fixed views to compare top, front and side surfaces.

  2. Toggle the grid, dimensions or wireframe when needed. Reset view returns the camera to a useful position. Fullscreen gives more space for inspection.

  3. Rotate underneath the part to inspect receiving walls, posts, tubes and roof clearance.

  4. Wait for regeneration after changing geometry, importing a file or applying a profile. Export becomes available only for the current prepared mesh.

04

Keep the preview responsive

The 3D preview redraws when the model, view or display controls change. It stops drawing once the view is still, unless Auto rotate is enabled. A preview outside the visible page, inside a hidden workspace or in a background tab pauses and refreshes when visible again.

Studio loads additional tools as you open them. Automatic preparation of the current Designer model runs when Designer, Print settings, First-print setup or Export & downloads needs it. Returning from another workspace may show a preparation status before model actions become available. Source recovery and current-model checks still finish before saving or exporting.

05

Source parts and custom parts behave differently

A Nexlock Brick System selection remains tied to its part number, release, source mesh and declared adjustments. Many of the generator controls are not applicable to an imported source. Resizing a source can change stud spacing, so keep scale at 1 when standard alignment matters.

Custom parametric parts use their own family, dimensions and advanced geometry controls. Changing a source, import scale or geometry can clear an incompatible fixed-stud connection profile. Recheck the fit report and profile summary after switching parts.

06

Color is a preview of your selection

The selected filament can change the viewer color and material appearance. Metallic, matte or translucent effects help compare options visually; screen lighting is not a physical color or surface-finish guarantee. Your loaded spool, print process and build plate determine the printed result.

Prepared for the current Nexlock workflow. Source review dates and data snapshots retain their own context; a digital check does not certify a physical print.