topic Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print ahoy)

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 22:57:19 GMT

Hi all,

First time posting.

I have a client who asked me to make a model of an iron key. Ok, simple.

They are going to have it 3d printed as a mold, and then a real iron key will be cast. Sure, Ok.

ALL the files of the wireframe I have created and sent to the printer (.dwf, .dxf, fbx, igs, mtl, .obj, .stl, .step) are not accepted by the printer. The latest news is, It needs to be a solid model .step.

Q1 - Is this possible with with 3ds? What do I have to dooooo? How do I turn my wireframe model into a solid and created this .step?

I will sell all my goats for the answer!!

Thank you for the help.

-Marie-France

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

bob.bernstein — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 05:12:00 GMT

According to max help, max cannot export step. Surprised me. Here is an IGS export, in case you can convert igs to step. Just found out I can't upload an igs here. I'll rename the file key.igs.doc to fool Arno's filter. Just remove the .doc from the file name when you want to use it.

EDIT...Opened this in Rhino, and exported step ok. Here is the step file.

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

brentscannell — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 13:31:35 GMT

hi @Anonymous

Do you have any insight as to what the printer software configuration is? As was already mentioned, .step export is not directly supported but I'm sure we can figure out a way to unblock you here.

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

brentscannell — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 13:35:49 GMT

ah just noticed @bob.bernstein 's edit with the attached step file from Rhino, thank you!

Please let us know if this works out for you, I'm more than happy to investigate.

-Brent

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 22:14:06 GMT

I've only been told that the printer will only accept a solid .step model

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 22:32:10 GMT

This is actually not opening in rhino for me.

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 22:32:43 GMT

no sadly, it didnt open in rhino

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

bob.bernstein — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 23:55:24 GMT

perhaps you are confused. I used Rhino to convert the 3ds file into step. What are YOU trying to do with Rhino, and why? I thought having a step file was the end of your challenge. That file is in my post?

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:45:50 GMT

Hi, I couldn't open your .stp file, but I have fixed some intersecting polygones and fixed that and now it opens in Rhino.

Now, I do need a .step file. It needs to be a solid object.

Are all .step files solid objects?

I apologize this may be a obvious question but I am new to this and I was in school until it went on strike so my teachers can no longer help me.

😃

the file I attached was the one I managed to open. I dont quite now why I couldn't open yours.

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 01:44:24 GMT

What I have found out so far is that

My key is only turning into a open polysurface and not closed.

I need to cap it but when I try to do so it tells me

"Unable to cap 4 objects. The openings did not have closed, plannar loops of edges."

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

brentscannell — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 02:20:12 GMT

Not all step files are solids, the step file format supports both solids and mesh geometry as well as a variety of metadata.

That being said, most 3d printer drivers operate on mesh geometry and actually will convert solids to meshes anyway before printing. That's why I'd like to know a little more about to target environment to best provide further guidance. The .stl format ought to be consumable by the 3d printer software, .stl is designed for 3d printing.

I loaded your original file and exported it to an stl format, then loaded it up in meshmixer since it has some easy to use analysis and repair tools geared towards 3d printer. It found and repaired a few issues, maybe the attached file will work for you?

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

dgorsman — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:16:15 GMT

To expand a bit on @brentscannell descriptions...

There are quite a few different programs that can work on 3D objects, so communicating between them can be a problem. Because of that there have been several file formats developed independently, and most of them can contain not only 3D solids but other objects such as mesh (open or watertight) and simple shapes like lines and circles. These are sometimes referred to as "neutral formats" because they aren't tied to a specific program. Some of the more popular choices are STEP/STP, IGES/IGS (popular with mechanical design), and IFC (popular with commercial building designers.

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:16:46 GMT

thank you, I sent it to him the night you sent me this. No reply yet. I will let you know if he does get back to me though.

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:17:53 GMT

thank you so much, I will remember this for next time. I have notes written down.

the guy has not gotten back to me yet, i will let you know if he does.

topic Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print ahoy)

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

Re: ***Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export*** (3d print aho

topic Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print ahoy)

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho

Re: Trouble with wireframe into solid model for .step export (3d print aho