topic Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL in Fusion Support Forum

IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:21:17 GMT

A COUPLE OF TIMES I HAVE TRIED TO IMPORT AN STL FILE TO MODIFY IT. I GET TO A POINT WHERE I CAN GO NO FURTHER. I AM USING THE HOBBYIST VERSION OF FUSION 360. IS THAT THE PROBLEM?

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:40:51 GMT

@Dmpanhead

Can you Attach an example stl file?

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

Fusion will sometimes work with stl files OK, but is really not the best solution.

In general, stl files are rubbish. Not the best quality. I recommend you create native high-quality geometry directly in Fusion rather than trying to repair rubbish.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

jeff_strater — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 01:32:07 GMT

Mostly no, it is not because you have a Personal license. There are a couple of things that are unavailable to you in the Mesh area, but not that many. In general, Fusion is not a mesh modeler. There are some limited mesh editing capabilities in Fusion, but those are mostly aimed at using the mesh as a guide to model the object natively in Fusion, or as reference geometry. You can do limited cleanup of a mesh in Fusion, but Fusion is mostly aimed at precise BRep geometry, not mesh data.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 02:11:41 GMT

First, thanks for the reply. I am far from prolific in this, although I think I understand your point. If I may...all I need to do is to extrude a face (not flat) a little bit. I do believe there is a lot to do first before I can even do that, correct? I have watched a bunch of YouTube videos, but it always gets to a point where I need a command that is not available to me. If you don't want to continue this any further, no problem and thanks again.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

jeff_strater — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 02:18:41 GMT

as @TheCADWhisperer said: if you can share your design here, it will be easier to help. But, probably, it is best to try to get some basics understood first. For instance, there are several types of geometry that Fusion supports, and each type has its own toolset. You mention Extrude. Extrude only works on Surface or Solid data, and an STL is a mesh. So, that is the first blocker for you. There are ways to convert a mesh to a solid or surface, but they are generally not recommended. A mesh is a collection of thousands of tiny triangles, and if you try to convert to a solid, you end up with an inaccurate solid that is very hard to work with. Depending on the shape of the model, it may be easier to rebuild it as a solid. Or, you may just be better off finding a good mesh modeler to do your work.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 02:45:41 GMT

I've attached the .STL.You'll notice two surfaces... almost flat, slight curvature, on opposite ends. I just want to extrude these surface about 13mm. Dimension is not critical as I will be trimming this to fit along with possibly resizing it in CURA. Thanks so much for listening.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Warmingup1953 — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 05:28:27 GMT

It may be that a command in Fusion won't work with Capslock engaged? But seriously STL's can range from a cinch to work with in Fusion right up to downright impossible...Can you share one of your troublesome files?

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Warmingup1953 — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 05:29:35 GMT

Nothing attached?

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 10:58:29 GMT

I've attached the .STL.You'll notice two surfaces... almost flat, slight curvature, on opposite ends. I just want to extrude these surfaces about 13mm. Dimension is not critical as I will be trimming this to fit along with possibly resizing it in CURA. Thanks so much for listening.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

HughesTooling — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:21:20 GMT

@Dmpanhead wrote:
I've attached the .STL.

If you are replying with emails then any attachments are stripped from the reply. You have to use the web to attach files.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:21:29 GMT

I am not sure how to do that....

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:29:10 GMT

@Dmpanhead wrote:
I am not sure how to do that....

@Dmpanhead

Click Reply and then...

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Maybe this works??

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:31:20 GMT

Maybe this works???

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:32:26 GMT

Maybe this helps

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:37:21 GMT

@Dmpanhead

Got it...

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:45:18 GMT

But there are a lot of issues, so I will need to try other software.

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:55:49 GMT

Thank you so much!

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:57:07 GMT

@Dmpanhead

What is the source of the original geometry - who created it?

Re: IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:01:18 GMT

I'm going to have to dig to answer that. I'll reply if I find it.