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Mesh to Solid Help

15 REPLIES 15
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Message 1 of 16
BR31415
989 Views, 15 Replies

Mesh to Solid Help

I have a few .STL files which i need converted from mesh to solid for 3D printing.

 

I have looked around and have only found the Mesh Enabler plugin for inventor, but with a student licence i am unable to download it.

 

Is there any other third party apps available to do this?

 

Or would someone really nice person be willing to convert it for me if i send it through?

 

I dont really want to purchase any type of software as this is a one off and I will probably never need it again.

 

Thanks in advance.

15 REPLIES 15
Message 2 of 16
JDMather
in reply to: BR31415


@BR31415 wrote:

I have a few .STL files which i need converted from mesh to solid for 3D printing.


I thought 3D printers used *.stl files for printing?
Does your printer use *.ipt file format?


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Message 3 of 16
BR31415
in reply to: JDMather

You are correct, it prints in stl. The STL file i have is mesh, But i only have inventor to convert to solid and resave as an STL in preparation for printing.

Message 4 of 16
wilkhui
in reply to: BR31415

Hello there,

 

What kind of changes do you need to make to the model?

 

Thanks,

Indy



Inderjeet Singh Wilkhu
Product Owner - ASM
Autodesk, Inc.

Message 5 of 16
BR31415
in reply to: wilkhui

No changes, Im just trying to get it solid so i can print it.

Message 6 of 16
JDMather
in reply to: BR31415

Why can't you use the existing stl to print the model?

Post screen shot, or better yet, zip and attach the stl file here.

 

Are you aware that an stl file is triangular faceted surface mesh?

 

If not, do an experiment.

Create a simple sphere.

Save the file as *.stl and then close the file.

Open the stl file in Inventor.

What do you see?


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Message 7 of 16
Esky99!
in reply to: BR31415

Try importing the composite surface and then use the sculpt function to convert it to a solid.
Message 8 of 16
JDMather
in reply to: Esky99!


@Esky99! wrote:
Try importing the composite surface and then use the sculpt function to convert it to a solid.

Composite Surface?

Here is a sample stl file.

Can you demonstrate your technique with this file?


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Certified SolidWorks Professional


The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel


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Message 9 of 16
PACDrafting
in reply to: JDMather

See attachment JDMather

Message 10 of 16
JDMather
in reply to: PACDrafting


@PACDrafting wrote:

See attachment JDMather


Can you explain the steps that you used?


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Message 11 of 16
PACDrafting
in reply to: JDMather

Haha

I thought this would get your quick attention JD.

I can explain but it doesn't involve Inventor in the process!
Message 12 of 16
JDMather
in reply to: PACDrafting

I am sure the OP will be interested in your process.


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Message 13 of 16
PACDrafting
in reply to: JDMather

2 options I used:
Dassault Systèmes WorkFlow
1. Solidworks

Autodesk Workflow
2. Combination of Navisworks (STL to FBX) then import FBX into AutoCAD then export from AutoCAD to STEP file then open in Inventor.
Message 14 of 16
JDMather
in reply to: PACDrafting

Students can get the Mesh Enabler add-in for free by emailing Scott Shepard and solidify directly in Inventor.

 

But I still don't understand from the OP why the need to solidify?


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Message 15 of 16
BR31415
in reply to: BR31415

Thankyou all for the replies.

 

What i have is an STL file made by a friend with another program, some 3d printing software.

 

Anyway, he is trying to get it commercially printed but since it is not a solid it will not allow it, so he sent it to me to convert it to a solid so that it can be printed. I have attached the two files i am having trouble with.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

Message 16 of 16
wilkhui
in reply to: BR31415

Hi,

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but...these meshes aren't of good quality. There are a lot of overlapping sections resulting in many internal faces with a few holes thrown in for good measure. You can see one of these many areas by playing the video below and the darker grey shades indicate problem areas:

 

 

What software was this created in? Is it possible to ask your friend to fix up the issues for you?

 

Hope this helps,

Indy



Inderjeet Singh Wilkhu
Product Owner - ASM
Autodesk, Inc.

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