topic Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions in AutoCAD Forum

How to 3D print with correct dimensions

Anonymous — Fri, 25 May 2018 14:59:51 GMT

When I take my .stl file that I exported from AutoCAD and import it into Cura it auto scales 10000% because it is so small. How do I Print with correct dimensions? I am sure it is a setting in AutoCAD that I need to adjust before I export.

Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions

Patchy — Fri, 25 May 2018 15:06:07 GMT

Many printers do that auto scale, use the scale in 3d printer software.

Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions

Anonymous — Fri, 25 May 2018 15:10:57 GMT

Yes, but how can I check that I have scaled it to the proper dimensions? If I scale it to 100% it is incredibly small.

Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions

Patchy — Fri, 25 May 2018 15:28:18 GMT

Why don't you print a cube and measure it to test?

Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions

Anonymous — Fri, 25 May 2018 15:49:20 GMT

That could be a decent workaround. I will have to experiment quite a bit though before I figure out the percentage I need to scale it every time. I also don't know that it will remain consistent because I don't know the cause of the massive decrease in size from my AutoCAD design.

I was hoping that there would be settings in AutoCAD that would solve the issue. Settings that I could change before I exported the design to .stl to maintain the integrity of the dimensions.

Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions

Patchy — Fri, 25 May 2018 15:53:18 GMT

Did you draw this with autocad? check the unit settings in autocad.

use:

-DWGUNITS and make sure it is correct.

Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions

Anonymous — Fri, 25 May 2018 16:34:39 GMT

I found 2 solutions.

1. https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Convert-imperial-unit-drawing-to-metric-units.html

2. Because I created the original drawing in the imperial template I could export the .stl out of that drawing but needed to scale if 2540% which is consistent with the conversion formula for imperial to metric.

Re: How to 3D print with correct dimensions

simonquinn1226 — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 21:03:00 GMT

what is the solution? the hyperlink is to the site is removed. i have been trying to find the solution to this for years. my work around was opening the file in 3D builder, find the appropriate units and save it. but im tired of doing that.