<p>You should know that there will be no such functionality anywhere because "make a bridge between islands" causes some questions:</p>

<ul>
<li>what do you mean be bridge</li>
<li>where this bridge should be</li>
<li>how it should look like</li>
</ul>

<p>Application cannot answer these questions automatically. 
Conver image to 3D object is (almost) only to create logo-like-objects or text-like-objects.</p>

<p>If your image will consist more than one separate elements then MC will convert it into separate objects and these objects will be treated as separate islands. There will be no way to bridge them on certain level/layer. The only thing you can achieve is a solid "connection" between islands if they will be connected with line on the image. I'm sure it's not what you expect.</p>

<p>Almost all 3D apps have a functionality to create 3D obj out of image but it will always be a perimeter or surface which you can extrude.</p>

<p>You can create bridges in your app by creating additional 3D object according to your expectations or you can use sculpting app to extend a form. It means you won't add extra object but sculpt existing objects by  extruding/extending/pulling faces.</p>

<p>For such sculpting you can use Meshmixer for example.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-16T07:26:39.507Z
2016-08-16T07:26:39.507Z
darth pixel
<p>I am using the MatterHackers MatterControl software. MatterControl has an option to convert an image into a 3d object. The image converter converts any image into an STL. I was wondering what program would work for bridging the islands? I tried SOLIDWORKS and I think the export messed up the file.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-12T01:26:39.097Z
I am afraid that we (at least I) do not understand what you mean by an island. I can guess.. Are you saying you want to connect random peeks your software outputs? Which I still do not understand why you are trying to connect things. Or how that would look. Please provide images and or your files if you would like help. A stronger description of what you want to do would also help.
MakerModder
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-12T13:45:21.167Z
I've had good success editing STL files in Blender.  But typically Stack Exchange sites are not the right place to ask for software recommendations, as this attracts opinion-based answers.
emackey
<3d-design><mattercontrol>
Bridging islands in my stencil
Chris Manning
# Bridging islands in my stencil

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-08-11)

I am using the MatterHackers MatterControl software. MatterControl has an option to convert an image into a 3d object. The image converter converts any image into an STL. I was wondering what program would work for bridging the islands? I tried SOLIDWORKS and I think the export messed up the file.

**Tags:** 3d-design, mattercontrol
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I am afraid that we (at least I) do not understand what you mean by an island. I can guess.. Are you saying you want to connect random peeks your software outputs? Which I still do not understand why you are trying to connect things. Or how that would look. Please provide images and or your files if you would like help. A stronger description of what you want to do would also help.  
> **username_2**: I've had good success editing STL files in Blender.  But typically Stack Exchange sites are not the right place to ask for software recommendations, as this attracts opinion-based answers.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-08-16. Score: 1

You should know that there will be no such functionality anywhere because "make a bridge between islands" causes some questions:

* what do you mean be bridge
* where this bridge should be
* how it should look like

Application cannot answer these questions automatically.
Conver image to 3D object is (almost) only to create logo-like-objects or text-like-objects.

If your image will consist more than one separate elements then MC will convert it into separate objects and these objects will be treated as separate islands. There will be no way to bridge them on certain level/layer. The only thing you can achieve is a solid "connection" between islands if they will be connected with line on the image. I'm sure it's not what you expect.

Almost all 3D apps have a functionality to create 3D obj out of image but it will always be a perimeter or surface which you can extrude.

You can create bridges in your app by creating additional 3D object according to your expectations or you can use sculpting app to extend a form. It means you won't add extra object but sculpt existing objects by extruding/extending/pulling faces.

For such sculpting you can use Meshmixer for example.


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