topic Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl in Maya Forum

How do I convert an .mb file to .stl?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 01:59:23 GMT

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone knows how to export a Maya file mb to stl for 3D printing?

Thank you!

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

sean.heasley — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 16:18:09 GMT

Hi @Anonymous and welcome to the community!

While you can't convert a full scene (mb file) to stl, you can export as an stl!

We have an article on how to do that here!

After loading the ATFPlugin.mll in Plug in manager, you can export STL in Maya.

Please let me know if this helps or if you need any more assistance!

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Kudos are greatly appreciated. Everyone likes a thumbs up!

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 16:28:52 GMT

Thank you very much Sean. I will try it and let you know!
My students thank you!

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

sean.heasley — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:32:41 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

I just wanted to check in to see if this worked. Did the suggestion I provided yesterday work for you?

If so, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 20:00:23 GMT

Hi Sean,

When I go to Windows/Settings/PlugIn Manager, ATFPlugIn does not come up as an option.

I am in Maya 2013

I have attached the message on my screen.

Thank you,

Effie

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

sean.heasley — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 20:24:07 GMT

Ah ok.

2013 does not have this plug in, therefore it it is possible, please upgrade to a more recent version of Maya like 2018 for example.

If that is not an option, you can download MeshMixer and export from Maya to there and convert the object(s) to STL files.

Let me know if this works for you or if you need any more information!

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Kudos are greatly appreciated. Everyone likes a thumbs up!

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

sean.heasley — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 18:55:21 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

Just wanted to see how things were going. Did my suggestion to use MeshMixer help you at all?

If so, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 19:33:28 GMT

Hello, it don't works for me in Maya 2018, my file convert to .obj, but in .stl files i tried to convert were all empty.

Cordialy

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

sean.heasley — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 19:58:05 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

This happened when you use MeshMixer that I showed above?

When you get a chance, can you please zip and attach the scene file here or via dropbox/google drive or another file sharing program so I can take a look at it?

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

mspeer — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 20:04:41 GMT

Hi!

@Anonymous

That's a known bug in ATF for Maya 2018.

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

Fovvl — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 07:24:46 GMT

Is there a solution to it? I tried to export it via recomended plugin in maya, but the file is empty and the size is about 88kb

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

mspeer — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 07:29:54 GMT

Hi!

Currently in Maya 2018 you can only export Nurbs objects but not Polygons to STL .

There is no solution other than using a different Maya version or software.

Re: How do I convert an .mb file to .stl

amir_td — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 00:21:36 GMT

To 3D print, you need to combine it yourself before exporting. If the model is too complex, the STL output could save with bad data. Export as STEP, download Meshmatic3D, import the step into Meshmatic and optimize for 3D print. It gives STL option.