Imported Component as Cut Tool

[Anonymous]

I have a complex component that was imported from a STL file. I need to create a part that fits this component by cutting its shape out of a new body. The combine (cut) tool appears to only work with bodies and will not let me use this imported component as a tool for cutting. Is there a way to do this?

Thanks!

Ian

[ahreum.ryu]

Hi @Anonymous

I think It would help your problem. have you heard about "Intersect Mesh Body"?

please take a look at this app. 

https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=5742637258089280352&appLang=en&os=Win64

Thanks! 

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

The "Modify -> Combine" tool is a tool aimed soley at solid bodies. Imported geometry such as IGES or STEP is imported as solid bodies and can be used with the comine tool.

STL files are not solid geometry but triganulated - often very desely - mesh files that also can be open sufaces and do not enclose a vlolume "watertight" That mesh first has to be connverted into "something".

If it's under 10k faces and is a surface enclosing a volume watertight it can be directly converted into a Brep, which is a technical term for solid geometry. In that case you can use it with the combine tool.

If it has over 10k faces , or is not watertight things get more complicated 😉

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information. I also have available the STEP files for this part. Importing them gave me the bodies that I needed and I'm now able to proceed as I expected.

Thanks!

Ian