Need help working with Mesh files in Assemblies

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have imported external stl file with 'meash' and looks good.

I would like to use imported stl model in my projects I have used 'Insert into current Design' to import it.

I can't use it really, ie. if I want to Assemble->Join cant can't select as snap point..

In 'sketch' modus I can't use 'project' line..

Is some solution for that?

[laughingcreek]

@Anonymous -what your talking asking about is really a different problem from what this thread is about.  You would get more help if you started your own thread.

But in general, the problem is you are trying to use a mesh model (the stl) in a cad program that works on brep/nurbs models.  mesh data is not cad data.  In a 2d environment, these would be equivalent  to a bitmap drawing vs a vector drawing.  There are ways to use a mesh model infusion, but it takes some prep-work.  When you make your new post, include your fusion model and maybe some pics describing what you want to do.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

my problem is strongly related to "Why Are Fusion Dimensions 10X greater on imported .STL files?" issue.

I have ie. attached stl file. If I import it via upload it will be impoted badly regarding cm vs mm issue.

Therefore as workaround I have tried meshed flow. With mesh I can select unit but after that I can't really use my imported file for editing or assembling.

How can I overcome mm vs cm issue? (Some imported stls are in cm there are no issue)

I would like to use in cloud the imported cad ie. I would import it and create a box for that, but now I can't really use the imported stl..(just for viewing) and sometimes I want to modify imported stl (cutting, joining)

[TrippyLighting]

This question has been answered so many times in so many different threads this forum it isn't even funny.

.stl files are unitless. If you exported it from an application with the units set to mm then you need to import it that same way into Fusion 360.

My default units are set too mm. If I import this file into Fusion 360 using "Insert->Mesh" it imports with proper dimensions.

[Anonymous]

I didn't created own thread!
See https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/why-are-fusion-dimensions-10x-greater-on-i... -> MESSAGE 109 OF 112 from Phil.E

Maybe I do oversee something or there is NO solution yet for that..
"f you exported it from an application with the units set to mm then you need to import it that same way into Fusion 360."

-> I can't influence the export. I am downloading stl from Thingsverse and I want to use or modify it.

Maybe I'm wrong but following methods does not helps:
-import via upload -> NOK, because of cm vs mm issue  , in other thread it was mentioned a combobox for unit selection could be nice, Is it realy to hard to implement it or I'm using it wrong? 
-Mesh -> NOK, according laughingcreek 

So what is the solution?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

When you use "Insert->Mesh" through the Fusion 360 UI :

You are first presented with a file browser asking you to pick a .stl file.

After doing so the .stl mesh will be inserted into your design and you are presented with a UI including a selection box for the unit:

"mm" would actually be the correct setting for your Arduino Mega.stl, but let's assume for a moment you don't know what units the .stl was exported with or you picked the wrong unit and clicked OK.

Then you can use the "Inspect->measure" tool to see what the overall dimension of this might be.

In this case its obviously too large. 25.4 times too large.

So you right click on the mesh n the viewport and select "edit" from the menu:

That brings you to the mesh workspace where you now scale the mesh to 1/25.4.

Once you click on "Finish mesh" you are placed back into the model environment and can convert the now properly scaled mesh into a BRep if you so desire.

To do so select "Create-> Create base feature" and then right-click on the mesh in the viewport and select "Mesh to BRep"

Once that is done, while still in the base feature you can start cleaning the geometry. Faces that a coplanar can be merged you simply select one of the faces and hot the delete key. Reducing the face count will help with Fusion 360's performance.

Then you can finish the base feature.

Done! Completely using Fusion 360 workflows. Topic closed!

[Phil.E]

@TrippyLighting Thank you for your detailed description of this workflow. A true reference for this question. 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks! 🙂