topic Re: I have an .stl file that I want to turn into a solid in Inventor Programming Forum

I have an .stl file that I want to turn into a solid

redondelosCRREA — Sun, 11 May 2025 02:23:14 GMT

I have used the Mesh Enabler add-in to try and convert an .stl object into a solid that I can scale. However, all I get is a mesh feature that I cannot do basically anything with it. Is there a way to turn it into a solid .ipt or .stp object?

I attach both the .stl file and the converted-with Mesh Enabler file.

PD.: It would be useful if I could do this either in Inventor or Fusion360.

Re: I have an .stl file that I want to turn into a solid

Stakin — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:33:22 GMT

Sub ImportFunc() ' Set STL translator's CLSID and STL file name. Dim strCLSID As String Dim strFileName As String strCLSld = "{81CA7D27-2DBE-4058-8188-9136F85FC859}" strFileName = "C:\Part1.stl" Dim oAddIns As ApplicationAddIns Set oAddIns = ThisApplication.ApplicationAddIns ' Find the Rhino translator, get the CLSID and activate it. Dim oTransAddIn As TranslatorAddIn Set oTransAddIn = oAddIns.ItemById(strCLSld) oTransAddIn.Activate ' Get the transient object and take it as a factory to produce other objects Dim transientObj As TransientObjects Set transientObj = ThisApplication.TransientObjects ' Prepare the first parameter for Open(), the file name Dim file As DataMedium Set file = transientObj.CreateDataMedium file.FileName = strFileName ' Prepare the second parameter for Open(), the open type. Dim context As TranslationContext Set context = transientObj.CreateTranslationContext context.Type = kDataDropIOMechanism ' Prepare the 3rd parameter for Open(), the options. Dim options As NameValueMap Set options = transientObj.CreateNameValueMap options.Value("SaveComponentDuringLoad") = False options.Value("SaveLocationIndex") = 0 options.Value("ComponentDestFolder") = "" options.Value("ImportUnit") = 1 options.Value("ImportColor") = True options.Value("ImportColorIndex") = 0 ' Prepare the fourth parameter for Open(), the final document. Dim sourceObj As Object ' Open the STL file. oTransAddIn.Open file, context, options, sourceObj End Sub

Re: I have an .stl file that I want to turn into a solid

WCrihfield — Mon, 12 May 2025 12:37:15 GMT

Just dropping the Link in here to the Inventor API online help 'Sample' documentation for this, called "Open an STL file using the STL Translator Sample".

https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2024/ENU/?guid=ImportSTLslator_Sample

But just so you know, that example is in VBA, not iLogic or vb.net, and is designed for use from Inventor, not Fusion 360.

If you need it in a different programming language, such as for use in an iLogic rule, just let us know.

Re: I have an .stl file that I want to turn into a solid

jjstr8 — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:32:13 GMT

@redondelosCRREA - I'm not seeing any attachments. You should be able to right-click on the mesh feature and Convert to Base Feature

After that, you can do a Direct Edit to scale, move, or rotate.