**Help Converting Complex Scan Mesh to .Stp File**

[toobdude]

Hi guys,

First off, thanks for being such a responsive and helpful resource for the community; we couldn't do it without you guys!!!

I am attempting to 3d Scan a Transmission housing and convert it to a Editable body with faces I can click on individually and measure (see areas with arrows below).  Also want to be able to export them as a clean .stp or .iges file so that my machinist has some digital specs to baseline.

Unfortunately, my scan conversion has way too much detail and ends up looking like this.  I followed the process flow below, but either my PC stalls out during processing or I get the same overkill results.

For Personal Use License (Faceted Option)

1. Open Fusion.

2. Go to Insert > Insert Mesh.

3. Select and open your STL file.

4. Navigate to the Mesh tab.

5. Click Modify > Convert Mesh.

6. Choose the Faceted option.*

7. Click OK to complete the conversion.

8. File > Export > STEP

For Commercial, EDU, Startup Licenses (Prismatic Option)

1. Open Fusion.

2. Go to Insert > Insert Mesh.

3. Select and open your STL file.

4. Navigate to the Mesh tab.

5. Generate Face Groups (use accurate option)

6. Join Face groups, if needed. (Face groups should be colored the same on each flat surface)

7. Click Modify > Convert Mesh.

8. Choose the Prismatic option.**

9. Click OK to complete the conversion.

10. File > Export > STEP

Can you please advise where I am going wrong?  The goal is something like this.  Thanks!  -Ian

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

1. If you think your mesh is too dense, you can use the Reduce tool in the Modify panel to reduce the number of triangles.
2. From the attached screenshots it can be concluded that the scan is open - it covers only a certain fragment of the shell, not the full body.
   In this case, preparing the finished model will most likely require a modeling process; that is, you can use many tools to streamline the process, but you are not holding a magic wand in your hand.

[HughesTooling]

You are not going to be able to use the mesh conversion tools on a scanned mesh. You will need to just use the scan for reference and create sketches then extrusions or surfaces etc.

You might want to look at using mesh sections to help as well.

[toobdude]

Hey guys, thank you for th candid and informative responses to my semi-obvious question.

1)  I am learning that I cannot directly convert a complex half-mesh into a body that can be manipulated.  (No magic wand exists...for now).  So I will be using meshes as an accurate reference tool.

2) I found this video on YouTube (attached) and it explains the exact stepsMark H. was referring too.  I feel this will give me the most accurate result given the complex meshes im working with.

3)  Has anyone tried the new Mesh Mixer Tool?  I'm curious if it helps streamline any steps of this process?  Or, is it just a nice-to-have option at the moment?

Thanks again for your resourcefulness guys!!!  -Ian K.

[TrippyLighting]

A link to the video would be helpful.

What new Meshmixer tool are you referring to?