topic Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file? in Inventor Forum

How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

daniel6QL3E — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:38:30 GMT

Hello,

How can I export a large STL file as a step file? Is there a limit to the size? When I export my 1GB size STL file, Inventor only creates a 4KB empty step file....

Kind regards Daniel

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

admaiora — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:44:07 GMT

You can't convert a stl to a step.

You have to convert to a solid model, then export as step

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

daniel6QL3E — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:57:37 GMT

Inventor creates an .ipt file automatically, but I still can't export it as a step file.

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

admaiora — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:08:20 GMT

The ipt you say doesn't contain solid/surface, just mesh.

You can convert in step only cad solid/surface/wire

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

daniel6QL3E — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:17:43 GMT

And how do I convert an .ipt file to a solid model?

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

Frederick_Law — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:18:32 GMT

STL is Mesh, points and lines. Billions of them.

Exporting to STEP (or any other format) won't give you any more info or better file.

What are you trying to do?

IV can convert the Mesh to surface.

Solid if the surface can be closed.

It is still billions of tiny triangles.

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

rom.poteaux4DZ5Y — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:47:43 GMT

have a look at this:

https://apps.autodesk.com/INVNTOR/en/Detail/Index?id=6950391119076900441&appLang=en&os=Win32_64

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

admaiora — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:00:04 GMT

1 Gb .stl with mesh enabler? Good luck!

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

chris — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:30:30 GMT

@daniel6QL3E What is your end goal? Why do you need a .step? Can it be something else, like a .fbx or .obj ?

I might be able to help, do you have a way to share the .stl file?

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

daniel6QL3E — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:49:12 GMT

The .step file is needed for laser cutting the part. So you probably won't be able to make a solid model out of it. But a surface model should be possible, at least theoretically, or where do you see the problem? If .fbx or .obj is also possible, I would have to ask the company that does the laser cutting.

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

Frederick_Law — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:04:30 GMT

Big problem.

There are billions lines for the laser to program and cut. Each could be 0.001".

Great way to kill the servo.

Laser have to cut each edge of the triangle.

You can try measure one and see the length.

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

Frederick_Law — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:11:07 GMT

And if the laser can take billion line G-code.

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:14:31 GMT

@daniel6QL3E

Show screen capture image of the geometry. Why is it so large file size?

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

daniel6QL3E — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 08:05:53 GMT

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

rom.poteaux4DZ5Y — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 08:17:38 GMT

@daniel6QL3E

I've done this with very large files from a high definition 3d scan of a large part.

The surfaces were not watertight 100% but Polyworks was able to manage the conversion.

Polyworks is not cheap but you might be able to hire it unless you know someone who uses it.

Re: How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

daniel6QL3E — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 08:21:58 GMT

We also have a license for Polyworks. I will try that out. Thanks for the tip.