If you've ever exported an OBJ file from AutoCAD, SketchUp, or another CAD tool and found your part names looking a little weird — you're not alone. CAD software often adds automatic prefixes and suffixes that don’t show up in your interface but do make their way into your exported file.
That's why MakerKit3D includes a name normalization step — to clean up part names so your cutlists and assembly plans are clean and easy to follow. But you can still help things along by following some simple naming conventions when you're creating your design.
✅ DO: Keep Part Names Clean and Descriptive
Think of your part names like labels in your workshop. Short, clear, and to the point. Here are some examples of what works well:
| Raw Name | Normalized Name | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Shelf | Shelf | Simple, clean name — nothing to trim |
| Side Panel | Side Panel | Multi-word name with no suffix or prefix |
| Door1Panel | Door1Panel | Includes a number, but it’s part of the name |
| U-Channel | U-Channel | Hyphenated is fine — still clear and readable |
| Bracket(Top) | Bracket(Top) | Parentheses used for clarity, not versioning |
| Box_Section | Box_Section | Underscore is fine if not followed by numbers |
| Section: Main | Section: Main | Colon usage is OK when not followed by digits |
| Legend(Back)_RevA | Legend(Back)_RevA | Version tag is kept because it’s not numeric |
Pro Tip: MakerKit3D is smart about trimming trailing junk — but it won’t mess with anything in the middle of a name. So use underscores, hyphens, or camel case to keep names readable.
❌ DON’T: Worry About CAD Export Junk
CAD tools like SketchUp often inject auto-generated data into the part names at export time. This might include words like Mesh4 or Model, or trailing digits. You don’t have to fix this manually — MakerKit3D does it for you. Here’s what that looks like:
| Raw Name | Normalized Name | What Was Trimmed |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh4 Side_Panel2 Model | Side_Panel | Removed “Mesh4”, “Model”, and “_2” |
| Mesh12 FooBar3 Model | FooBar | Cleaned up all export-generated clutter |
| Side Panel:1 | Side Panel | Removed version-style suffix “:1” |
| Body_18_(2) | Body | Removed number/duplicate markers |
| Foo_2(3)_4 | Foo | Trimmed trailing numeric junk |
Note: These extra bits aren’t always visible when you're naming parts in CAD. But MakerKit3D catches and cleans them automatically so you don’t have to.
🔧 Bonus Tip: Preview Your Part Names
After you upload your design to MakerKit3D, take a quick look at the part names listed in your parts table. That’s what will appear in your plans. If something looks off, just rename it in CAD or within MakerKit3d — no big deal.
Get the Cleanest Plans Possible
Good part names make better plans. MakerKit3D takes care of the cleanup, but naming your parts cleanly from the start will help ensure your cutlists and instructions are crystal clear — whether you're building the piece yourself or selling plans online.
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