Problem Exporting STL from AutoCAD

Anonymous

Problem Exporting STL from AutoCAD

Anonymous
Not applicable

Whenever I try to export my model to an .stl file the progress bar will appear and complete as normal but no file will be created. The model was created by subtracting torus from a rectangular box. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

@Anonymous, 

john.vellek has edited your subject line for clarity: Problem Exporting

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swieciakpawel
Advocate
Advocate

Hello isakrom, and Welcome to Autodesk forums!

 

I have tried out your file, and I was able to finish the task without any problems, so there is definitely no problem with the drawing.

 

I've also noticed that some functions have problems when there are special characters within file save paths. You can try exporting your file in the simplest location like  "C:\". Or perhaps If You have special characters in Your Windows username, you can try using (if possible) a guest account or an alternate account without those characters.

Also, You can try exporting different object (create a single sphere), and tell if there are also no results.

 

Unfortunately I cannot upload the export file, as this is not a valid extension for this Forums.

 

 

Kind Regards,
Pawel

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john.vellek
Alumni
Alumni

Hi @Anonymous,

 

I see that you are visiting as a new member. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

 

 

I too found no problems in exporting this file. DId you try a different path as @swieciakpawel wisely suggested?

 

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.





John Vellek


Join the Autodesk Customer Council - Interact with developers, provide feedback on current and future software releases, and beta test the latest software!

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Sorry for the late reply, I seem to have attached an older version of the file. Here is the correct file. I believe that there must be an object that I simply haven't noticed. However, thank you for your help. Any advice is welcome.

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Alfred.NESWADBA
Consultant
Consultant

Hi,

 

>> but no file will be created

Which version of AutoCAD and service-pack/update do you have installed?

 

I tried to export your last file using AutoCAD 2017 Update 1.1, first I have got that message:

The solid does not lie in the positive XYZ octant.

 

So my steps were:

  • run command _UNION to make one object from your 2 3d-solids
  • then move the object from basepoint 0,0,0 to 10,10,10 ... to make sure all parts of your object are in the positive frame
  • optional set FACETRES to 10 to get less tessellated curves
  • run _EXPORT and that works fine now, creates a valid STL

Good News: a STL-file was created with content

Bad News: the resulting object has a defect triangulation, it shows a lot of peaks.

 

So I decided to run the DWG through Fusion360, please find that STL attached.

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
ISH-Solutions GmbH / Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS
www.ish-solutions.at ... blog.ish-solutions.at ... LinkedIn ... CDay 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(not an Autodesk consultant)

john.vellek
Alumni
Alumni
Accepted solution

Hi @Anonymous,

 

This error means it is postioned with a negative value. I went to to TOP view and moved everything. Then I did a STLOUT and it seemed to work ok for me.

 

I have attached both the DWG and the STL for you to see.

 

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


John Vellek


Join the Autodesk Customer Council - Interact with developers, provide feedback on current and future software releases, and beta test the latest software!

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Alfred.NESWADBA
Consultant
Consultant

Hi @john.vellek

 

What exactly did you do as your STL-file does not have the peaks I get when I create the STL-file (using AutoCAD 2016 or 2017).

 

20170211_1713.png

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
ISH-Solutions GmbH / Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS
www.ish-solutions.at ... blog.ish-solutions.at ... LinkedIn ... CDay 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(not an Autodesk consultant)
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john.vellek
Alumni
Alumni

HI @Alfred.NESWADBA,

 

Interesting huh?

 

At first I mirrored the solid to see if that would "flip" it into a positive plane, then I moved it so when in Top view it was to the right and "above" the UCS icon. When  I typed STLOUT, it asked if I wanted a binary STL file and I indicated no.

 

Thats how I got my result.

 

Smiley Frustrated


John Vellek


Join the Autodesk Customer Council - Interact with developers, provide feedback on current and future software releases, and beta test the latest software!

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Alfred.NESWADBA
Consultant
Consultant

Hi @john.vellek

 

played a bit with mirror, does not help, just the size of peaks changes.

Maybe it depends on a special order of commands and coordinates for the commands to get your result.

 

I guess that there is something within the model (like objects before boolean handling) that was outside that quadrant and so AutoCAD sends that (incorrect) message. The resulting 3D-solid is fully inside the positive XYZ-quadrant and so AutoCAD should export it as it is.

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
ISH-Solutions GmbH / Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS
www.ish-solutions.at ... blog.ish-solutions.at ... LinkedIn ... CDay 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(not an Autodesk consultant)
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Anonymous
Not applicable

Same kind of issue but its saying unable to open .stl

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Alfred.NESWADBA
Consultant
Consultant

Hi,

 

>> but its saying unable to open .stl

Who or what is "it" (telling you that the STL can't be opened)?

Just to  make sure ... AutoCAD can export STL, but not import (or open).

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
ISH-Solutions GmbH / Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS
www.ish-solutions.at ... blog.ish-solutions.at ... LinkedIn ... CDay 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(not an Autodesk consultant)
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latevnikalas
Community Visitor
Community Visitor

Iv got the exact same problem! Ive tried exporting spheres and cubes it seems to do it but with my 3d object i cant seem to expert it as an stl file. Ill try and link the file below if anyone can have a look ill be grateful!

 

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Alfred.NESWADBA
Consultant
Consultant

Hi,

 

>> but with my 3d object

Your object is not a 3D-Solid and it is not watertight (which is necessary to create a valid file for 3D-printing).

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
ISH-Solutions GmbH / Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS
www.ish-solutions.at ... blog.ish-solutions.at ... LinkedIn ... CDay 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(not an Autodesk consultant)
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cal4536
Community Visitor
Community Visitor

this actually worked fixed it for me, I had a very simple design I was just testing and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't save. once I typed STLOUT and hit no it saved straight to desktop. Thank you so much

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