topic Re: Convert STL to surfaces in PowerShape Forum

Convert STL to surfaces

rafael.sansao — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 00:49:08 GMT

Hi guys,

We will machining an eagle to gift a director who is returning to Germany.

I already have the 3d model, however, it is in stl. I have sometimes used stl models on the Powermill and it is extremely labor intensive.

Question: Any "magic solution" for fast conversion of stl mesh to surfaces? Something that respects a tolerance and creates surfaces?

Note 1: Traditional reverse engineering is not feasible in this case due to long modeling time.
Note 2: The stl model is sealed and with a very good quality.

Re: Convert STL to surfaces

jonathan.artiss — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:31:26 GMT

Hi @rafael.sansao

Thank you for posting on the Autodesk Forum!

There is no simple solution to convert a triangle model into surfaces while keeping the area smooth. There is a cover to surface tool but the result will likely look the exact same as the triangle model.

As long as the model is of high quality, there shouldn't be any trouble with machining it in PowerMill.

You could use PowerShape to reverse engineer the model and rebuild it using surfaces. PowerShape is very good with this but with an organic model like this, it can take a very long time even when are skilled with the reverse engineer tools.

I would say assess the model and see how much time you have to complete the project.

Cheers,

Re: Convert STL to surfaces

Chetan.Bankar — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 05:51:53 GMT

@rafael.sansao wrote:

Hi guys,

We will machining an eagle to gift a director who is returning to Germany.

I already have the 3d model, however, it is in stl. I have sometimes used stl models on the Powermill and it is extremely labor intensive.

Question: Any "magic solution" for fast conversion of stl mesh to surfaces? Something that respects a tolerance and creates surfaces?

Note 1: Traditional reverse engineering is not feasible in this case due to long modeling time.
Note 2: The stl model is sealed and with a very good quality.

Hi @rafael.sansao,

@jonathan.artiss is right. There is no easy way to convert triangle model to surface model, instead it is easy to directly use the triangle model for machining in PowerMill.

If you wish to use PowerShape to reverse engineer this triangle model then the video here will be of some help for you.

Thanks and Regards,

Re: Convert STL to surfaces

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 10:15:34 GMT

No video attached to link.

Re: Convert STL to surfaces

Chetan.Bankar — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 10:47:12 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

No video attached to link.

@Anonymous,

Sorry about it. Please find the link here.

Also the product help may be useful here.

Thanks and Regards,