Modify Drawer STL
@3D_Ken wrote:
I have an STL file of a drawer that I need to modify ....
Bad idea!
As a beginner I would stay clear of mesh files and start going through the tutorials here to familiarize yourself with the basic functions of Fusion.
You can convert this into a solid body, and proceed as you described, but it isn't unusual for problems to occur when working with mesh files converted directly into a faceted body.
"The best" idea is to model this thing from scratch with the native, parametric CAD tools in Fusion. That is also going to be a bit of work, but with teh added advantage that you'll learn how to use the tools.
The quickest solution, if it would actually work, would be to use the Prismatic conversion:
But in this case it does not convert successfully and leaves out some faces. I attempted to direct edit the mesh to correct face croups, but that only helped marginally.
That conversion is also only available for paid subscriptions.
The least favorable method is what you described. Convert directly into a faceted body. Coplanar faces can be "cleaned up" by selecting a face and hit the delete button. That will merge coplanar faces into one face. This can alter the geometry if attention isn't paid. Rounded areas will need to remain rounded.
Perhaps that is enough to allow you to modify the geometry. The attached file contains such an attempt.
@3D_Ken wrote:
@TheCADWhisperer wrote:
Are you willing to start from scratch with step-by-step instructions?
I was looking to not take up someone else's valuable time if I could muddle through on my own, but your offer seems like a really good learning experience. So, yes I'm certainly willing to start from scratch.
Uhm, really?
You just told me in the reply to my post that you don't have the time to do this 😕
It is no problem to convert the drawer into a solid, divide it, move one part and fill the space in between.
But I don't think that's what you want.
Start a new file.
Import the stl.
Turn on the visibility of the Origin.
Using the arrows move the geometry such that the origin is approximately midpoint of the bottom horizontal line (don't worry about getting perfect - just as close as you can eyeball...
Check it from a side view (shouldn't need to move).
Select OK.
Now start a New Sketch on the XZ plane and sketch a rectangle approximately as shown below,,,
Add a Midpoint constraint between the Origin and the bottom Horizontal line of the Rectangle.
Now dimension the height of the Rectangle...
Drag the sides of the Rectangle in - at this point will probably observe that the geometry is not centered. (ignore the lip)
Finish Sketch.
Drag the sketch on the Timeline such that it occurs in history before the imported geometry.
From the Mesh tab select Move and set to Bodies and select the Mesh Body.
Move to center in the rectangle (remember - we are moving by eye - so movement distance may be different than mine).
Drag the sketch in the Timeline so that it is once again in History after the imported geometry.
Now Edit the sketch and enter the dimension...
You can repeat these steps to get closer if needed.
We will get a parametric model matching the original AND THEN edit the dimensions as needed.
Attach your progress file here for next set of steps.
Add this 50° angle.
Finish sketch and then start a New Sketch on the YZ plane.
Sketch the rectangle approximately as shown.
Hide the Mesh Body and select p on the keyboard for Project.
Select the top horizontal line from Sketch1.
This will project the line as a point into Sketch2.
Add a Coincident Constraint between the top Horizontal line in Sketch2 and the Point projected from Sketch1.
Observe the color changes of the lines as we constraint them...
Then add these angled lines as shown...
Now add these two Horizontal Construction lines as shown.
After adding the Constructions lines add the two angled lines on the right (be careful that they are not perpendicular).
Add Equal (=) Constraints between the top angled line on the left and right, and then between the bottom angled line on the left and right.
Attach your progress file here.
