topic Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019 in Inventor Forum

Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

s.dawes — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 08:09:03 GMT

Good Morning

I have recieved a STL file and am trying to convert it into a solid so i can edit the faces.

It is a Impeller design and i am looking at removing the blades and replacing with Clear acrylic blades.

I need to still print the base of the part because it has a complex spiral design that unfortunatly i cant machine.

Also i am unable to share the file because of confidentuality issue so i am aware this makes my request even more difficult.

I have opened the file and converted to Base feature, and the warining staes the mesh feature has more than 5000 triangles which may fail to convert.

It does this ok but i am left with over 350 errors which upon selecting each one wont repair.

Is there anything i can do before i convert it to a base feature that will help.

I have downloaded Mesh mixer to try and repair the STL file but this doesnt seem to work either.

Be greatfull for any tips.

The person who gave me the file only has access to the STL file.

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

JDMather — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 11:15:29 GMT

@s.dawes wrote:

I have recieved a STL file and am trying to convert it into a solid so i can edit the faces.

It is a Impeller design and i am looking at removing the blades and replacing with Clear acrylic blades.

In my opinion STL format is rubbish for the Design Intent that you describe.

I would use it only as reference in creating proper geometry and then discard the stl.

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

haohoangofficial — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:51:49 GMT

I think not edit stl format

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

johnsonshiue — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 22:59:46 GMT

Hi! Inventor has fairly limited mesh modeling ability. You can import the mesh into Inventor and use it as a reference to create new geometry. Or, if you are a subscriber, you can download "MeshEnabler" at Inventor App store. But, it will convert every mesh face to Brep face, which can make the body hard to edit.

Another option is to use Autodesk MeshMixer (www.meshmixer.com) or Autodesk Netfabb to edit the mesh. These are the options that I am aware of.

Many thanks!

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

s.dawes — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 10:38:16 GMT

Thanks for the help everyone

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

deividas — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 17:34:52 GMT

Thank you for that. but it doesn't work for me, I 've got mesh error about 5000 triangles, and it does not convert in solid. can anybody help me?

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

johnsonshiue — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 22:03:19 GMT

Hi! I suspect the mesh is not watertight. May I ask what you are trying to do with mesh in Inventor? At the moment, Inventor has limited Mesh Modeling ability. Mostly it imports mesh as a reference. You can recreate body geometry based on the mesh. Or, you can create drawing views from the mesh.

If you are trying to modify the mesh, I suggest you use MeshMixer or NetFabb.

Many thanks!

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

deividas — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 09:49:59 GMT

Hi, Importing STL File to make modification(3D printing) Extrude a new geometry, mostly cut into existing solids.
But doesn't convert correctly, gives a red/purple part and mesh error.
With Meshmixer/NetFabb you can't make a lot of modifications. it is similar a 3D printers slicer.

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

JDMather — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 09:59:37 GMT

Attach your file here so that the issue can be diagnosed.

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

deividas — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:33:21 GMT

added Ipt file which I converted, and

original STL file. Thanks For Helping

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

JDMather — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:01:23 GMT

For some reason I get an error trying to read what version of Inventor you are using from the iProperties.

What version of Inventor are you using?

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

deividas — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:39:14 GMT

Autodesk® Inventor® 2020

Please see attached file I used for Inventor 2019

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

JDMather — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 13:03:03 GMT

I took a look at the file in Autodesk MeshMixer (free software).

There are a number of issues indicated in the Inspector (I saw these same Issues in the hidden Inventor Construction Environment.)

I think your best bet would be to repair these in MeshMixer (first I would get into two separate files).

It will take a bit of work... … or maybe easy. Let me check.

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

JDMather — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 13:52:42 GMT

You will have to spend some time learning MeshMixer to repair this.

My quick effort trying to automatically repair did not work.

Re: Converting a STL file to solid in Inventor Pro 2019

graeme_robinson — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 18:51:27 GMT

That said, STL files are the main format that come out of a 3D Scans, so we cant just ignore them.

Hence why I lot of us recieve them from clients/customers as 3D data.