topic Re: Stl export converting to mm in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Stl export converting to mm

natebanton — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 13:45:03 GMT

Just want to say right off the bat here that I know stl files don't have units, just numbers.

I work in inches. So everywhere I can find I have set to inches. No problems with that in fusion 360.

But when I export as an stl file it converts the units numbers to mm. I can scale the stl file after exporting in the other software I'm using, but that shouldn't be necessary.

Does fusion just do everything in mm and it just shows me inches within the program?

Re: Stl export converting to mm

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 14:01:00 GMT

Temporarily toggle your active units to mm, save as stl and then set back to inches.

Re: Stl export converting to mm

LeonardoBN — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 14:01:46 GMT

Hi @natebanton.

What software do you use? Do you have any option about prompting units at importing?

If I import to Simplify 3D a cube of 10 [units], it becomes 10 mm automatically. There I can't change its default units from mm, so I have to scale every body to inch, when applicable (like your method).

If I import to 3D Builder, it always ask me what the STL's unit, then converts to a default unit.

Re: Stl export converting to mm

HughesTooling — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 14:08:24 GMT

How are you exporting the mesh? Exports from the cloud will always be in CM but exports using Save As STL from within Fusion should export in the current document units. One exception is if you use Save As STL then select Sent To 3d Print Utility, these always export as mm. There was a bug a while back that ment after using the Send To 3d Print Utility option Fusion would get confused if the next export you uncheck that option and you'd end up with some odd scale.

Mark

Re: Stl export converting to mm

natebanton — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:05:02 GMT

I'm exporting from the cloud. That must be it! But I don't see how to save as STL?

Re: Stl export converting to mm

dankG2KYJ — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:22:10 GMT

Are you running a home/student license? I believe those versions are limited in their online translation capabilities. What options do you see to export as? I have attached a screen capture of the export options for the paid version, after clicking on the export arrow.

Is it necessary for you to export from the cloud? If not, you can use an addon called 3D Print Plus (free version) in the app store which has more capability than the standard 3D Print utility, including unit conversion. I use it regularly.

Re: Stl export converting to mm

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:30:22 GMT

@natebanton wrote:
I'm exporting from the cloud. That must be it! But I don't see how to save as STL?

Rather than Exporting from the cloud, right click on the Body node in the browser and select Save As. (It's faster too, and Options to set the quality of the output.)

Re: Stl export converting to mm

natebanton — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:36:11 GMT

Yes, I'm using the free year hobby version.

Re: Stl export converting to mm

dankG2KYJ — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:25:26 GMT

Can you confirm if you have the option available on A360? You say that you are exporting from the cloud then that you don't see save as STL? I'm confused. Another screenshot shows a better view of the process.

There are several suggestions given that will work, try them out and let us know.

Re: Stl export converting to mm

HughesTooling — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:33:55 GMT

Export from the cloud might not be a good idea as you can't set units or quality. Far better in Fusion to Save As STL from the browser.

Also Please don't attach pictures, there's an option to embed them on the editor toolbar.

Mark

Re: Stl export converting to mm

dankG2KYJ — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:45:37 GMT

@HughesTooling I completely agree! Local export is how I operate every day, but it sounded like the intent was from the cloud, and confirmation wasn't given.

Sorry about the attachments, I'll look at the embedding function.

Re: Stl export converting to mm

natebanton — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:50:04 GMT

I could export STL from the cloud, but it only exported as cm.

Right clicking totally worked! That's the solution. Thank you.

BTW, this seems like quite a bad thing for fusion to do. It gives no indication that the STL file is anything but as you assume it would be (inches in this case).

Re: Stl export converting to mm

dankG2KYJ — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 17:04:18 GMT

The wires in my head got crossed, I knew that it would only export as CM, then got tunnel vision about cloud vs local. I'll go back to my hole now 😉

Re: Stl export converting to mm

aesilky — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:15:23 GMT

I don't get 'Save as STL' when I right click.