STL Files from AutoCAD for 3D printers?

[Drafter1981]

O.K….1st of all I want to say thanks again to Patchy, benedictos.virgilio, & Yorx57, for pointing me in the right direction on the post 02-11-2014 regarding creating Odd Shape cones made with loft or helix. That being said, here is my new dilemma:

The 3D files I have created DO NOT seem to convert properly into other usable files from AutoCAD. I have been told the best way to get these files “Fabricated” is to do a direct export from AutoCAD *.DWG files to *.STL files, for 3D Printing. I sent the files over (“CONVERTED”) however, it seems the export, or conversion is not a clean or workable file.

The export files states these are *.STL however the contact person I’ve been sending files to cannot access or open these files. Am I missing a step here or perhaps do I need some “ADD-ON” from Autodesk? As usual any information or help is appreciated.

Thanks

[JDMather]

You do not need any add-on.

It is difficult to make CAD diagnosis from pretty pictures (rather than actual dwg files), but my guess from the screen capture is that you have modeled as a surface body rather than as a solid body (run List or Properties to check).

AutoCAD must have a solid body to stlout an stl file.

You might attach the dwg file here, and if you confirm that is is solid - attach the stl file here as well (zip it first).

[JDMather]

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@Drafter1981 wrote:

 I sent the files over (“CONVERTED”) however, it seems the export, or conversion is not a clean or workable file.

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I do not know what this means.  Do you mean you converted a surface body to a solid body?  The AutoCAD command is stlout.

Follow the command line - what does it say?

[JDMather]

What is the size of the resultant stl?

The resolution of the stl can also be changed, but first we need to verify that you have a manifold solid body.

[Drafter1981]

JD,

(Hope you don't mind JD) Thanks for your information and sorry for not getting back to you any sooner. As usual, on my end I had no idea if any of my post were getting through, (I must be the only one getting these input glitches). Anyway,  I will review the information you provided.

I also attached what I thought was the STL file but apparently not.

Thanks again,

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

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@Drafter1981 wrote:

The export files states these are *.STL however the contact person I’ve been sending files to cannot access or open these files.

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Your stl file works fine here.

What software is your contact person using?

Did you send them the zipped stl?

Do they know how to extract a zipped file?

[Milt-Fitz]

JD,

Thanks again!

After your review of the files, several other 3D companies also comfirmed that the files I converted / created will work.

I'm still in the process of getting prices and if I find someone that is resonable I will get this printed just to say

"Yes, We can do that"!!!

Thanks again for your input!!!

[JDMather]

Just make sure your units are correct.

Tell them the bounding box size.

You should check -dwgunits in the dwg (with the dash - )

and you should check the stlout Options units to make sure the output units match your intended design units.

I have seen a lot of models printed wrong size because of mis-matched units (in, mm, cm).