FeatureCAM 2019 Cannot Select STL Imports

[Anonymous]

Imported STL mesh files are not selectable or editable in FeatureCAM. The STL files are exported by VXElements as binary. Shouldn't the faceted mesh faces or entire body at least be selectable in FeatureCAM? Is this an import, export, or other issue?

[ChristopherMarion]

Hi @Anonymous 

You cannot select individual triangles or edit regions of a mesh in FeatureCAM.  You will need to bring the file into PowerShape or even Fusion 360 for this.  However, you can machine off of them.

What exactly are you looking to achieve with mesh files in FeatureCAM?

[bhorstTGM48]

Christopher,

I would be interested to hear some tips and tricks on working with STL files. I like to use them as stock models but find it difficult to get them lined up with existing 3D models. The measuring of how far to move the STL seems awkward. 

[Anonymous]

We would machine the models, but we want the process to be as seamless as possible. We are looking to reverse engineer parts and modify them to work better for different types of manufacturing. Meshes are usually fine for additive. Could use meshes in subtractive, but would rather generate primitives to make edge and surface selecting simpler on the CAM side. I think going from mesh to model as quickly as possible is more valuable than working with a mesh as is. Because the 3D scan of parts might have geometry and damage unsuitable for some manufacturing processes.

In short, we want to machine the mesh or convert it to a solid parametric part. We can go straight to machining if it makes sense for that part. Converting to a solid parametric might be more valuable for CAM, CAD, CAE, reverse engineering, etc.

[ChristopherMarion]

Hi @bhorstTGM48 

It can be awkward since picking locations off of an STL model can be difficult.  You have to remember that you are not dealing with surfaces or faces, but you are dealing with small triangles with nodes.

FeatureCAM can mode STL models, but you need to know where it needs to go. 

My best advice is to do this in a modeling system like PowerShape or Fusion 360.  I sometimes need to bring STL files into PowerShape and do a bit of reverse engineering to locate a point as a reference.

[ChristopherMarion]

Hi @Anonymous 

As mentioned to @bhorstTGM48 in my last post, working with triangle files can be a bit cumbersome, depending on the STL file.

If you are trying to reverse engineer a file that has a lot of simple geometric shapes (slots, faces, pockets, etc....) then it can be somewhat a quick process to convert to a parametric model using the right CAD tools.  Now FeatureCAM is more of a CAM tool with some CAD options.  FeatureCAM is not going to give you these reverse engineering tools.

I suggest looking into something like PowerShape or Fusion 360 for this.

The good news is, if you are subscription, then you get a seat of Fusion 360 as an entitlement.